Trouble starting in cool, now getting cold weather

Redgirl · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2011, 4:40 PM

I have had Big Red for about two and a half months now. She started great in summer and early fall, now it is cooler and she is a bear to start. I do the procedure in the manual and no luck. When the sun is out, I have rolled her into the sun to let her warm up. But that won't happen in the winter.

She is a brand new 2011. I love her but am frustrated.

RLW · #2 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 12:45 AM

poor fuel quality will greatly effect starting and operation, if you can find it, a non ethnol gas is the best, we are able to buy non ethnol super in our town, and it is a cure for alot of these type of problems.

born_to_boogie · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2011, 5:03 PM

You sure aren't the only one with that problem. I have a 09 Big Red that I bought new. If temperatures get under 35 it is almost impossible to start. I have contacted two different dealers and they act like they have never heard of the problem. I have read online that switching to synthetic oil can ease cold weather starting in most vehicles, so that might be an option. Overall I love my Big Red but this cold weather problem is very aggravating. Good luck.

Redgirl · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2011, 7:18 AM

My Big Red is at the dealer now. It has been there two weeks, They tell me there is a definite problem, and have been consulting direct with Honda. But they haven't found the cause. I wait. I'm glad it is under warrantee, but it's hard to get chores done with the old 4 wheeler once I started using Big Red. I use the porper Honda oil. When I bought her the dealer said I could use the same fuel as I do in the car. Forum advice has been to use non ethanol fuel. I will be trying it when she comes home. Thanks for the reply.

Rock · #5 (**permalink**) 11-14-2011, 5:51 PM

Just bought mine a couple of months ago and will be switching out my 10w30 factory oil for 0w30 as recommended in the service manual. It's good as low from -30 C (-20F).

olivecrossbones · #6 (**permalink**) 11-15-2011, 8:32 AM

Whenever possible and certainly during cold weather, I use only premium non-ethanol gas and have switched (with dealers blessing) to Mobil 1 synthetic oil. Have had no problems starting and it starts and sounds the same as starting in the summer months. Other than my two (auto/truck) vehicles, I do the same with all of my other engines (snowblower, generator, lawn tractor, boat, Harleys, etc.) and have the same results. The various mechanics who tend to these for me on the things I cannot do are in unanimous and emphatic agreement, ethanol is killing our small engines and motors.