Cold Starting

MortisFK · 01-16-2012, 10:10 AM

On Saturday when I went out to plow, it was -3 F at my house. The ranger took a little extra work to get it started. Usually you turn the key and it fires right away. This time it cranked for a few seconds, then I turned the key off. Did it again, and did it again.

So I waited a minute, and tried it again. And then 1 more time and it finally fired. Then I let it sit for about 3-5 minutes to warm up before I moved it. I keep a battery tender on it during winter to make sure it has plenty of juice.

Is there anything else I should do to help it start when it is really cold out? Should I tap the gas pedal, or anything else while it's cranking?

Russ Chastain · 01-16-2012, 07:29 PM

Some choke often helps my machines when it's very cold out. That's usually the only time my Ranger needs any choke at all.

And let it warm up before you start driving it (looks like you already know to do that).

Good thinking with the battery tender.

Slacker · 01-16-2012, 08:07 PM

Fuel injected or Carbed?

MortisFK · 01-17-2012, 12:12 PM

Sorry, may have helped if I said what machine I have. 2011 800XP EFI.

How do you manually choke it?

redmoose · 01-17-2012, 03:40 PM

There is no choke on my 2011 500 EFI, and I doubt if yours has one. I've had mine parked outside down to 20 below zero, and it starts on the first attempt almost every time. I do have a heat pad on the engine (a small oil-pan heater from NAPA, 25 watts, about $20) and a battery tender.

garmin220 · 01-17-2012, 05:53 PM

Here in Florida sometimes it gets into the thirties and its down right freezing lol. Sorry can't help much but redmoose seems to have the right ideas.

ranger4hunting · 01-24-2012, 04:35 PM

If you don't have it already synthetic oil is a friend to your motor in cold starts it lets the motor turn over easier. Lubes the motor quicker because it doesn't get as thick when cold. I don't use anything else in any of my vehicles.

01-16-2012, 10:10 AM	#1
MortisFK Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 44	Cold Starting On Saturday when I went out to plow, it was -3 F at my house. The ranger took a little extra work to get it started. Usually you turn the key and it fires right away. This time it cranked for a few seconds, then I turned the key off. Did it again, and did it again. So I waited a minute, and tried it again. And then 1 more time and it finally fired. Then I let it sit for about 3-5 minutes to warm up before I moved it. I keep a battery tender on it during winter to make sure it has plenty of juice. Is there anything else I should do to help it start when it is really cold out? Should I tap the gas pedal, or anything else while it's cranking?

01-16-2012, 08:07 PM	#3
Slacker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 228	Fuel injected or Carbed? __________________ 2008 Ranger Crew 700 Limited Edition 10,000 miles and counting

01-17-2012, 03:40 PM	#5
redmoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 118	There is no choke on my 2011 500 EFI, and I doubt if yours has one. I've had mine parked outside down to 20 below zero, and it starts on the first attempt almost every time. I do have a heat pad on the engine (a small oil-pan heater from NAPA, 25 watts, about $20) and a battery tender. __________________ Ron _________________ Eagle River, Alaska * 2011 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI Polaris plexi windshield, soft cab, heater, 3500# winch, 60" Glacier steel plow and 66" Sno-Glide plow

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01-16-2012, 07:29 PM	#2
Russ Chastain Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,077	Some choke often helps my machines when it's very cold out. That's usually the only time my Ranger needs any choke at all. And let it warm up before you start driving it (looks like you already know to do that). Good thinking with the battery tender.

01-17-2012, 12:12 PM	#4
MortisFK Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 44	Sorry, may have helped if I said what machine I have. 2011 800XP EFI. How do you manually choke it?

01-17-2012, 05:53 PM	#6
garmin220 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: polk county Posts: 127	Here in Florida sometimes it gets into the thirties and its down right freezing lol. Sorry can't help much but redmoose seems to have the right ideas.

01-24-2012, 04:35 PM	#7
ranger4hunting Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 43	If you don't have it already synthetic oil is a friend to your motor in cold starts it lets the motor turn over easier. Lubes the motor quicker because it doesn't get as thick when cold. I don't use anything else in any of my vehicles.