Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold?

shapnasty · 11-20-2012, 01:38 PM

i have had a Honda scooter, 250ex, 300ex, cr125, cbr 600rr, 04 civic si and the RL. They all seem to hate the cold weather.(not as much as its owner) But they have always have giving me hell in the winter. Its seems my Honda experience in the winter seems like if its red and has an H, it has a crappy initial start up. Just my 2 cents.

But this said honda has the best stuff on earth and will continue to buy them for a long time. _jason

laserguy · 11-20-2012, 01:49 PM

I think it is because they need a good battery with at least 800CC and all hondas in my opinion come with small batteries.

25 Year Honda Owner · 11-20-2012, 03:09 PM

Many Accords, 2 CR-V's, 2 RL's, tiller, and push mower. Always start with out problem, tiller and push mower on 1st pull. BTW, tiller is 25 years old.

IanRTL · 11-20-2012, 03:15 PM

I've noticed this, too. Both my wife's car and my RL are a little harder to start after sitting in really cold temps for a while - especially the RL. They still start and have never given me an issue doing so. It's just like they really don't like it. I replaced both batteries with strong Duralast Golds last fall with CCA's of well over 700. The old batteries were the ones that came with them when we bought them used, so I really had no idea how hold each of them were. The RL was really getting difficult with some of the single-digit and sub-zero temps we had the winter before, so I just replaced them both for good measure. Both new batteries have been load tested and are fine, but the cold temps still make both vehicles start slowly. Guess it's just another Honda quirk.

feetdry · 11-20-2012, 03:52 PM

'Only Honda I ever owned (this one) started just fine last winter in MT at 16 below zero Fahrenheit. That's pretty cold.

Timberdog · 11-20-2012, 03:53 PM

Weird, never had a problem, even if I forget to plug in the block heater. I always throw a bottle of gas line anti-freeze in during really cold weather and keep my tank over half full. I'm still on my original battery.

Rockwood · 11-20-2012, 04:14 PM

Lowest temp I've ever started a vehicle was minus 40. Conveniently thats the same temp in Deg F and C.

Wasn't a Honda. Definitely a case of square tires.

Thank god for fuel injection. Doubt it would start with a carb.

Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

Matt08RTL · 11-20-2012, 04:21 PM

when it was cold my 01 Honda Shadow reminded me of when I forgot to plug in a semi.

WNY PAT · 11-20-2012, 04:28 PM

My 2003 Rincon ATV (carb) was also temperamental in the cold. It would start, but had to crank it a lot.

K-Dog7469 · 11-20-2012, 05:01 PM

*shrugs*
Japan is a warmer climate ?

11-20-2012, 01:38 PM	#1
shapnasty ROC Rank: Sophomore 2006 RTL Formal Black Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lake St. Clair MI Posts: 102	Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? i have had a Honda scooter, 250ex, 300ex, cr125, cbr 600rr, 04 civic si and the RL. They all seem to hate the cold weather.(not as much as its owner) But they have always have giving me hell in the winter. Its seems my Honda experience in the winter seems like if its red and has an H, it has a crappy initial start up. Just my 2 cents. But this said honda has the best stuff on earth and will continue to buy them for a long time. _jason __________________ When in doubt, throttle out.. U.S. COAST GUARD Machinery Technician PO3 Boarding Officer / Ice Rescue Swimmer USCG Station St. Clair Shores MI Great Lakes on Lake St. Clair Had:84 Honda Gyro, 98 Honda 300EX, 98 Honda CR125,2004 Honda Civic Si. Have: 06 Ridgeline RTL Cobra 18wx II w/ Wilson 1000 whip 06 Chrysler Pasifica <= Swagga Wagon

11-20-2012, 01:49 PM	#2
laserguy ROC Rank: 4k Comma Club 2006 RTL Other Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: N.Cali Posts: 4,810	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? I think it is because they need a good battery with at least 800CC and all hondas in my opinion come with small batteries.

11-20-2012, 03:09 PM	#3
25 Year Honda Owner ROC Rank: 9k Comma Club 2013 RTL Dark Cherry Pearl Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winchester,Tennessee Posts: 9,154	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? Many Accords, 2 CR-V's, 2 RL's, tiller, and push mower. Always start with out problem, tiller and push mower on 1st pull. BTW, tiller is 25 years old. __________________ 25 Year Honda Owner "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." - Patrick Henry

11-20-2012, 03:15 PM	#4
IanRTL ROC Rank: 4k Comma Club 2007 RTL Nimbus Gray Metallic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Moon Township, PA Posts: 4,651	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? I've noticed this, too. Both my wife's car and my RL are a little harder to start after sitting in really cold temps for a while - especially the RL. They still start and have never given me an issue doing so. It's just like they really don't like it. I replaced both batteries with strong Duralast Golds last fall with CCA's of well over 700. The old batteries were the ones that came with them when we bought them used, so I really had no idea how hold each of them were. The RL was really getting difficult with some of the single-digit and sub-zero temps we had the winter before, so I just replaced them both for good measure. Both new batteries have been load tested and are fine, but the cold temps still make both vehicles start slowly. Guess it's just another Honda quirk. __________________ Westin chrome tube steps, AVS vent visors, AVS bug shield, bed extender, carpeted trunk mat, blue LED interior switches, LED interior/exterior lights, Weathertech floor mats, Extang Trifecta soft tonneau cover, 5000k headlight bulbs, Pioneer AVH-P4400BH bypassed head unit, Metra Axxess ASWC, Jensen Carbon 65C components, Jensen Power 400 2ch bridged amp, 10" Boss Onyx shallow sub in custom behind-seat enclosure, FatMat sound deadening, Koolertron backup camera

11-20-2012, 03:52 PM	#5
feetdry ROC Rank: 1k Comma Club 2008 RTL Steel Blue Metallic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: renton, wa Posts: 1,040	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? 'Only Honda I ever owned (this one) started just fine last winter in MT at 16 below zero Fahrenheit. That's pretty cold. __________________

11-20-2012, 03:53 PM	#6
Timberdog ROC Rank: Sophomore 2007 RT Other Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Brunswick, Canada Posts: 151	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? Weird, never had a problem, even if I forget to plug in the block heater. I always throw a bottle of gas line anti-freeze in during really cold weather and keep my tank over half full. I'm still on my original battery.

11-20-2012, 04:14 PM	#7
Rockwood ROC Rank: Junior 2006 RT Billet Silver / Gray Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 335	Lowest temp I've ever started a vehicle was minus 40. Conveniently thats the same temp in Deg F and C. Wasn't a Honda. Definitely a case of square tires. Thank god for fuel injection. Doubt it would start with a carb. Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

11-20-2012, 04:21 PM	#8
Matt08RTL ROC Rank: Senior 2008 RTL Formal Black Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 599	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? when it was cold my 01 Honda Shadow reminded me of when I forgot to plug in a semi. __________________

11-20-2012, 04:28 PM	#9
WNY PAT ROC Rank: Junior 2013 RTL Crystal Black Pearl Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 460	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? My 2003 Rincon ATV (carb) was also temperamental in the cold. It would start, but had to crank it a lot. __________________ 2013 RL RTL W/ Nav 2013 Acura MDX (Technology & Entertainment Package) 2012 Big Red 2012 RL RTS (Sold)

11-20-2012, 05:01 PM	#10
K-Dog7469 ROC Rank: Junior 2007 RTS Alabaster Silver Metallic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Millersville Maryland Posts: 400	Re: Why are Honda's hard to start in the cold? shrugs Japan is a warmer climate ? __________________ Kevin "Live your life for a change" When I use my turning signal, I am not asking you I am telling you.

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