Mercedes GLA Cold Weather Problems And How To Take Off Car In Sub-Zero Temperature
The seven most common cold weather problems on a Mercedes GLA are frozen wipers, failed spark plugs, a weak or dead battery, an engine that will not start, low tire pressure, salt corrosion and frozen locks. To get the car going in sub-zero temperatures, crank for no more than 10 seconds at a time, wait a minute or two between attempts so the battery can recover, and jump-start it if the starter will not turn at all. A block heater, indoor parking, winter-grade oil and a full tank prevent most of these problems.
TL;DR
- Battery: at 32 °F it loses roughly 35% of its power, at 0 °F about 60%; a cold start can take up to twice the energy.
- Tires: about 1 PSI is lost for every 10 °F drop, so a 30 °F drop can leave them under-inflated.
- Starting: crank for up to 10 seconds, then rest the battery and starter for a minute or two before trying again.
- No crank at all: the battery is most likely dead, so jump-start it.
- Prevention: block heater, garage parking, winter-grade oil, full fuel tank, winter wipers.
- Fuel economy: a gasoline car uses about 15% more fuel in city driving at 20 °F than at 77 °F (fueleconomy.gov).
- If this is not your case, read the pre-climate control not working guide.
Table Of Content
- What are the most common Mercedes GLA cold weather problems?
- How do you start a Mercedes GLA in sub-zero temperatures?
- Conclusion
1. What Are The Most Common Mercedes GLA Cold Weather Problems?
Here are the seven most frequent Mercedes GLA issues in the winter and how to avoid them.
| Problem | Why the cold causes it | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen wipers | Blades freeze to the glass and tear | Winter blades, clear ice before driving |
| Failed spark plugs | Old, corroded plugs cannot spark in the cold | Check and replace old or cracked plugs |
| Dead battery | Loses about 35% of its power at 32 °F, 60% at 0 °F | Test it before winter, carry jumper cables |
| Engine will not start | Thick oil, frozen fuel line, weak starter or alternator | Block heater, garage, winter-grade oil |
| Low tire pressure | About 1 PSI lost per 10 °F drop | Check pressure often, consider snow tires |
| Corroding parts | Road salt on brakes, wheel wells and underbody | Wash the car often in winter |
| Frozen locks | Water freezes inside the lock | De-icer; never force the key |
Frozen Windshield Wipers
In cold, icy weather, windshield wipers become highly sensitive. When the wipers are turned on, they may freeze to the windshield, causing the blades to rip. Unfortunately, a driver's faulty windshield wiper is often discovered only while it's raining, sleeting, or snowing.
Checking windshield wiper blades as part of routine maintenance is a good idea, and consider investing in winter wiper blades, which are specifically built for ice weather. Test windshield wipers each day before leaving the house, and always clear ice and snow from the windshield before driving.
Failed Spark Plugs
When it comes to winterizing a vehicle, spark plugs are often overlooked, but they should be. When the temperatures drop, car engines require more attention in general, and old spark plugs, which are more vulnerable to corrosion, can fail when it's cold. Corrosion makes it difficult for them to produce a spark, which can leave cars stranded.
Spark plugs should be checked as part of routine car maintenance; don't wait until they stop working to get them checked. Any old plugs, damaged, or cracked, should be replaced.
Dead Batteries
This is one of the most prevalent winter circumstances for Mercedes GLA and it's one of the most common reasons consumers call in the winter. When the temperature drops to 32 °F, batteries lose roughly 35% of their power, and when the temperature drops to 0 °F, the battery has lost 60% of its power. Starting an engine in cold weather might take up to twice as much energy as it does on a regular day, therefore batteries must be prepared to withstand the cold.
Unless it's a brand-new battery (less than a year old), have it examined as part of a winter tune-up, along with the engine's starting and charging capabilities. It's less expensive than having your vehicle hauled, and it's surely warmer. Also, "just in case," store jumper wires in the trunk. If your GLA shows an auxiliary battery warning, read the auxiliary battery malfunction guide.
The Car Fails To Start The Engine
A cold car will sometimes refuse to start. This is especially true if the vehicle has been left outside in the cold overnight, as cold temperatures make every aspect of a vehicle work harder. If the battery or spark plugs aren't the issues, the issue could be thicker engine oil, frozen gas in the line, or a broken starter or alternator.
Look for a solution to keep cars warm overnight, such as keeping them in a garage or utilizing an engine block heater.
Low Tyre Pressure
It's never enjoyable to have a flat tire, and this is especially true in the winter. But shifting temperatures create changes in tire pressure: a temperature loss of 10 °F will reduce around 1 PSI from a tire, so a 30 °F drop might leave tires below their recommended PSI. This has an impact on traction, handling, and tire life, which is why you should check the tire pressure frequently. The correct pressure is on the sticker in the driver's door jamb and in your owner's manual; do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire sidewall.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated (see your GLA owner's manual for further information), or consider replacing your current tires with larger snow tires.
Corroding Vehicle Parts
To clear the roadways of snow and ice, a lot of salt is used, yet salt can ruin more than frozen water. When it gets into an engine, it can start corroding the metal, and it's generally not noticed until it's too late.
During the winter months, wash your automobile frequently, especially after driving on recently salted roads. Pay attention to the brakes, wheel wells, and undercarriage in particular.
Frozen Locks
Drivers being locked out of their cars due to frozen locks are right up there with dead batteries. When Mercedes GLA is wet and the water freezes in the locks, this can happen, and it can be frustrating and time-consuming to fix.
Keep a can of deicer available to melt any ice that forms. Because it contains a significant proportion of ice-melting ethanol and isopropanol alcohol, hand sanitiser can also help. Do not force a key into a frozen lock or spin it when it's stuck, as this can harm both the key and the lock.
2. How Do You Start A Mercedes GLA In Sub-Zero Temperatures?
Getting Mercedes Gla Engine Going
To Begin, Turn The Key And Hold It For Up To 10 Seconds
Do not hold it for more than 10 seconds, as overworking the starter will not improve its chances of starting.
If The Mercedes GLA Won't Start, Let The Battery Recuperate
Stop and wait a minute or two before attempting to start your automobile again if it does not start after ten to twenty seconds of cranking. This gives the battery a chance to recharge and warm up a little. It primarily serves to let the starter motor cool down.
Recharge/Jump Starting The Dead Battery
If The Battery Fails To Start Completely, Jump-Start It
Your battery is most likely dead if the starter won't turn over at all. It's time for a fresh start.
Get The Running Car As Close As Possible To The Car With The Dead Battery
You'll want the automobiles' front ends to face each other.
Connect The Jumper Cables To The Appropriate Terminals With The Jumper Cables
On the jumper cables, look for the + and - symbols, then connect the one with the + symbol to the positive terminals on both the running car and the car with the dead battery. Connect the - sign cable to the negative terminals.
Allow The Dead Battery To Charge For A Few Minutes While The Car Is Running
It may be beneficial to rev the running automobile a little when you are going to start the car with a dead battery. 2000 RPM is more than plenty.
Attempt To Start The Car With A Dead Battery
If it doesn't work for the first time, double-check that the jumper cables are correctly attached.
Disconnect The Cables As Soon As Possible, But Continue To Run The Engines Of Both Cars For Several Minutes To Ensure That Both Batteries Are Sufficiently Charged To Start Again
Modern cars can keep charging voltage even at idle RPM since they contain alternators. The engine does not need to be revved.
If you have a diesel and it still struggles in the cold, the glow plugs may be the problem; the Sprinter glow plug guide explains how they work and how to test them.
Preventing Mercedes Gla Cold Weather Issues
A Block Heater Will Help To Warm Up The Engine
An engine block heater is a compact heating device that plugs into a wall socket and is inserted into the engine. It heats the engine and the oil, making start-up easier. Engine block warmers are not expensive, but they must be professionally installed.
Maintaining The Temperature Of Your Car's Battery
When your car's battery is heated, it may deliver significantly more power. A battery wrap can be used for this.
Adhere To Indoor Parking
The engine of an automobile is protected from icy winds and freezing temperatures by parking indoors, in a garage. If feasible, heat the garage to maintain a warmer temperature.
Use A Lighter Oil
Oil thickens in extreme cold and does not flow fast to crucial engine elements that require lubrication. In cold weather, a lightweight, winter-grade oil flows more easily and saves money on gas. The best type of oil to use should be specified in your owner's manual.
Combine Antifreeze And Fuel Stabilizer In The Gas Line
Dry gas, commonly known as gas line antifreeze, is a chemical (basically Methyl Hydrate) that is applied to your gas tank to prevent your gas line from freezing. If your gas line freezes, it will prevent your automobile from starting until it thaws. During the colder months, many gas stations already add an anti-freeze ingredient to their gas. Check with your preferred station to determine if this is standard procedure.
Consider Utilizing A Fuel Conditioner For Diesel Engines
A multi-functional diesel fuel additive is known as a fuel conditioner. A gasoline conditioner, which keeps the fuel from "gelling" and ensures consistent fuel performance in extreme winter conditions, will help a diesel engine start better in the cold.
Maintain A Full Gas Tank
Condensation forms on the inside walls of a gas tank and gradually sink to the bottom, causing freezing issues in your fuel lines. It's far more difficult to start a cold automobile with a nearly empty tank, so do yourself a favour and fill up your tank frequently over the winter before leaving the car park.
Winterizing Your Mercedes GLA
Wiper Blades And Wiper Fluid Should Be Replaced
In the cold, wiper blades break and become ineffective, which can be dangerous in stormy weather. Low vision can make driving in the cold particularly dangerous, so make sure your wiper blades are in good working order. They should be replaced every 6 months or so.
Check Your Tire Pressure And Think About Getting Some Snow Tires
Extreme temperature changes impact tire pressure, and driving on tires with insufficient pressure can be risky. Because cold tires read differently than warmed tires, you should drive around for a while before testing the pressure at the gas station or the tire shop.
Keep The Battery Charged
Winter is particularly taxing on batteries for two reasons. Because of the cold, the battery is unable to provide its typical quantity of electricity. At lower temperatures, the chemical reactions that generate electricity are slower.
Regularly inspecting your car battery will help you remain on top of any maintenance issues, but keep in mind that most car batteries only last three to five years. Furthermore, because the oil inside the engine is thicker, it is more difficult to turn it over. This necessitates a higher battery amperage. Multi-viscosity oils like 10W30, on the other hand, mitigate the majority of this effect.
3. Conclusion
Northern winters are hard on any car. Check the battery, tires, wipers and plugs before the first freeze, and keep jumper cables and de-icer in the car, and most of these GLA winter problems never reach you.