Cold weather startability
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,659
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Cold weather startability
Many of us are getting to feel how our trucks start in cold weather with the latest cold snap. How well does your engine start?
I'm not going to lie. My Ecoboost struggled to start this morning at -18F. It struggled again leaving work. My wife's Toyota RAV4 with the four cylinder started right up with no drama.
I'm not going to lie. My Ecoboost struggled to start this morning at -18F. It struggled again leaving work. My wife's Toyota RAV4 with the four cylinder started right up with no drama.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 34
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My new '13 Ecoboost first start of the day started right up, I cheat, ha ha have heated garage 
For the second start of the day the other night at work, it was -17 when I left and it started right up no problems .... so I'm happy
For the second start of the day the other night at work, it was -17 when I left and it started right up no problems .... so I'm happy
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 498
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Many of us are getting to feel how our trucks start in cold weather with the latest cold snap. How well does your engine start?
I'm not going to lie. My Ecoboost struggled to start this morning at -18F. It struggled again leaving work. My wife's Toyota RAV4 with the four cylinder started right up with no drama.
I'm not going to lie. My Ecoboost struggled to start this morning at -18F. It struggled again leaving work. My wife's Toyota RAV4 with the four cylinder started right up with no drama.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 215
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From: Buffalo NY
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New User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 16
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From: Peyton, CO
I've got a 2009 F150 and since it was new it doesn't like cold weather. First, it barely cranks when cold (sub-zero) even though it is running the 5W -whatever oil. Luckily it catches and starts even though the cranking isn't very confidence inspiring. Then it makes a howling noise like there is a dry bearing on the alternator or somewhere. Not a good noise, but it goes away after a few seconds. Then I've had strange issues, like the seat belt warning buzzer sounding constantly until it warmed up. Unplugging and replugging the seat belt and restarting the truck doesn't stop it. You just have to drive it until the truck warms up enough, then it stops. Pretty annoying. Or the brakes being almost non-existent on the first application. Of course none of these problems happens unless it is a few degrees below zero, and that happens rarely enough around here that taking it to the dealer would be a waste of time.
It seems to be more of a warm weather truck.
Terry
It seems to be more of a warm weather truck.
Terry
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Mine has done well, but temps here haven't gotten much below zero. Full synthetic oils do better in extreme cold but aren't necessary for the majority of people. If I lived up in Canada I'd probably be running a 0w30 in the winter.
