What should you do if your car won’t start in cold weather in Sälen?

A car that won’t start in the cold is one of the few things that can ruin an otherwise perfect week in the mountains, and it always happens at the worst possible moment: at eight o’clock on the day of departure, with your bags packed and a six-hour drive ahead of you. The good news is that the cause is almost always the same, that it can be prevented, and that it can be sorted out on the spot. Here’s what to do – and what to do beforehand – to ensure it never happens.

Sälen regularly experiences sub-zero temperatures in the mid-twenties in the depths of winter, and a day spent at minus twenty is a completely different strain on a car than a typical city winter. If you’re driving an electric car, there’s also a whole set of issues to consider, which we’ll look at separately below. Have you booked a house with electric car charging Much of this has already been sorted out, but the basic rule regarding where charging may take place still applies.

Short answer: nine times out of ten, it’s the battery

A car battery loses a significant proportion of its capacity in severe cold, whilst the engine requires more power to circulate thick, sluggish oil. A battery that performs perfectly well at home in November may therefore fail in January – especially if the car has been left stationary for several days whilst you’ve been away skiing.

Typical signs: the starter motor turns slowly and with difficulty, the instrument panel lights flicker, or nothing happens at all apart from a clicking sound. If this is the case, the solution is to get a jump-start, followed by a sufficiently long drive to recharge the battery. If the battery is more than four to five years old, this is also a sign that it needs replacing before next winter.

Why cars play up in the cold of the mountains – batteries, diesel and electric cars

Three different problems arise in cold weather. The first is the battery, as described above. The second concerns diesel: in severe cold, paraffin in the fuel can precipitate and clog the fuel filter, resulting in an engine that turns over but won’t start. Winter diesel sold in the mountain regions is formulated to cope with this, whilst summer-grade diesel filled up further south can cause problems – so make sure you fill up locally as you approach the area.

The third point concerns electric cars, which rarely have starting problems but lose a significant amount of range in cold weather. A reduction of a third or more is normal at low temperatures, and this affects planning more than it affects starting. You should also bear in mind that charging takes longer when the battery is cold.

First steps to take before you ring anyone

Go through the following steps in order before calling for help:

• Switch off everything that uses electricity – the heating, seat heating, lights, radio, chargers – and try starting the car again.
• Turn the key and hold it for no more than ten seconds at a time, taking a break in between. Prolonged attempts drain the battery faster than they help.
• If the car has a manual gearbox: press the clutch pedal all the way down when setting off; this reduces resistance.
• Check that the battery terminals are secure and free from ice.
• If it’s a diesel engine and the engine is turning over but won’t start – suspect the fuel, not the battery, and wait before trying again.

If none of this helps, it’s time for a jump-start. If someone in the neighbouring house has jumper cables or a jump-start booster, the problem is usually sorted within ten minutes; ask your neighbour first, and us if that doesn’t work.

Breakdown assistance and recovery in Sälen – who to contact

If your car insurance includes roadside assistance – and most policies do – you should first call the number on your insurance card or in the company’s app. The assistance provider has agreements with local service providers in the 1TP64 area and will send the appropriate help; the cost is covered by your insurance rather than being paid in cash on the spot. Call before you arrange help yourself; reimbursement often requires that the company has been contacted first.

Expect a wait during the school holidays, as many people face the same problem on the same morning. State exactly where the car is – building name, address and directions – and whether the car is frozen in or buried under snow. This will determine what equipment is sent.

Electric cars in cold weather: range, charging and what to bear in mind at home

Plan your electric car journey based on winter range, not on the figure given in the brochure. Charge the battery to a high level before the final leg of the journey, and bear in mind that both uphill gradients and heating the passenger compartment use up battery power. Pre-condition the battery before charging and setting off if your car has this function – it makes the biggest single difference on a cold morning.

There is one rule that applies without exception at the accommodation: charge your vehicle only at designated charging points, never from a standard wall socket. This is a fire safety issue in a wooden house, not a question of charges. We have described the public charging options available in the area in our overview of electric car charging points in Sälen.

How to prevent this: engine heaters, charging and parking

Almost all starting problems can be avoided with five minutes’ planning. Check the condition of the battery before your journey if it’s a few years old. Use an engine heater wherever there’s a socket, and plug it in the evening before you set off rather than an hour beforehand – in severe cold, it takes longer than you might think. Start the car and drive it sometime during the week if it’s otherwise been standing for six days; a short period of idling isn’t enough – it needs to be a proper drive.

Park your car so that it’s easy to get out of: reverse into your space, don’t park in a draughty spot where snow drifts build up, and move it after heavy snowfall so that it doesn’t get stuck in a snow bank. We’ve covered how to prepare for your car journey in driving to Sälen in winter, and just how cold it actually tends to get is described in how cold it is in Sälen in January.

If you miss your journey home – what you should do first

If your car is left behind on the day of departure: please contact us immediately. Check-out time is linked to the next group’s arrival and can rarely be changed during the school holidays, but we can almost always help by providing a place to wait, assistance with your luggage and contacts in the area. At the same time, contact your assistance provider and check whether your insurance covers a hire car or your return journey by another means of transport – this is often how the situation is resolved.

If you need to get around the area in the meantime, local options are described in our guide to taxis and transport within the 1TP64 area.

Summary – a chilly morning doesn’t have to turn into an expensive day

When your car won’t start in cold weather, the battery is almost always the cause, and jump-starting is almost always the solution. Switch off any electrical appliances, make brief attempts to start the car, ask a neighbour for jumper cables, and call the breakdown service listed on your insurance card if that isn’t enough. Prevent this by checking the battery before your journey, using an engine heater well in advance, driving the car at least once a week and parking it so that you can get out of it. And do get in touch with us if your departure is affected – there’s almost always a practical solution, but the sooner we know, the easier it is to sort out.