James Sweet wrote:
>> pa wrote:
>>> I've got a 2002 Honda CRV. Ever since the first year in the winter
>>> that i had this car I noticed that duringf winter and cold the start
>>> time / turn over was very delayed. It would turn over slowly when i
>>> crancked the key.
>>>
>>> Anyway, is this because the battery is weak? -- I have no trouble in >>> the summer.
>>>
>>> Also I have had the same battery since 2002, I think its time for a
>>> new one. I would like a stronger one. Is it OK to get one that has
>>> more kick? Is there a max I can go to? If I get a new harder working
>>> battery will the starting issue get better?
>>
>>
>> Probably a tired battery, 6 years is doing pretty well. Cold weather
>> slows chemical reactions, an effect is that the cranking amps a battery
>> can supply drop with temperature. Additionally, engine oil thickens at
>> cold temps and increases the load on the starter cranking the engine.
>> Any autoparts store can test your battery for you, usually for free. As
>> far as new batteries go, the limit is dictated by what will physically
>> fit, increasing the Amp-hour capacity will not cause a problem but
>> should not be necessary unless you have specific needs. You may also
>> try some of the more modern multiviscosity oil, 0W30 will thicken less
>> at low temperature than 10W30 and offer you a slight improvement in
>> fuel economy in the bargain. It's also worth checking the battery
>> cables, particularly where they connect at each end. The starter motor
>> can pull upwards of several hundred amps, so it doesn't take much
>> resistance in a loose or corroded connection to burn up a lot of power
>> as waste heat instead of useful mechanical work.
>
>
> I agree with most of the above, but I think that 5W-30 oil is a
> safer bet for an older vehicle than 0W-30. Really light oils can cause
> oil burning in vehicles that aren't currently using any. Even 5W-30 can
> be a problem for worn engines, so I use 10W-30 in Summer at least.
where did you get that information? do you know how the oil grading system works?