[awbazar]

I have noticed that my 2001 Nissan Altima GXE, 2.4L, L4 tends to crank very sluggishly at temperatures around 10 degrees F. Occasionally the starter even stops in a few seconds and then on a next try the engine will start. In warm conditions the car cranks fine and cranks at a respectable rate with a quick start. The engine always starts on the first crank with the rare occasions when it is really cold and then the starter nearly stalls as if the battery is dead.

I got fooled that the battery was weak a year ago since the running battery voltage indicated that the alternator was charging in the correct voltage range but the resting battery voltage was generally hanging around 12.4 volts or a bit less and the battery was over 3 years old, so I put in a new battery and now this year, a year later, the same sluggish cranking is observed at really cold temperatures.

I am wondering if other Nissan owners experience sluggish cranking similar to this at low temperatures. I am using 5W-30 petroleum lube oil and have considered that synthetic might be a good switch. The car has 106K miles and may have a less than perfect starter motor. Maybe the brushes are short too or some other aspect of the starter motor may be at play. I do hear a characteristic chime when the starter drive disengages as the flywheel speeds up. It has always done that at all temperatures.

I would be interested to hear any ideas, comments, or similar experience.

[OneMoreTime]

batteries do not do well in cold weather..I have installed larger batteries with increased cranking amps and have no difficulty..you may need a block heater and yes multi viscosity synthetics help as well..

Sam

[awbazar]

Hello Sam,
Thanks for commenting on the sluggish cranking. The point on a more robust battery is a good one since many cars seem to be equipped out of the factory with marginally sized batteries. I have an oversize battery on a now defunct Olds Ciera which was on that car for 10 years and came out of another car I had. The oversize battery thinking is a good one. That crate got better gas mileage than the Nissan and always cranked like a banshee!

awbazar

[sqzbox]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

batteries do not do well in cold weather..I have installed larger batteries with increased cranking amps and have no difficulty..you may need a block heater and yes multi viscosity synthetics help as well..Sam

X2 on that ^^^. Look for the cold cranking amps rating on the battery. Get the highest you can find, it will make a difference. It doesn't have to be bigger just better. No such thing as over kill when it comes to batteries. It's like the difference between a 2 cell mag light and a 4 cell.