Cold weather engine starting

The cetane number is a measure of fuel combustibility using a variable compression ratio cetane engine. High-cetane-number fuels generally allow for an easier start in cold weather, provide more complete combustion, and yield an overall increase in engine efficiency, primarily power. 

Upon starting a cold engine in cold weather, it is not unusual for exhaust to appear as white smoke. This is because the combustion chamber and exhaust system temperatures are not hot enough to enable water and uncombusted fuel to exhaust as hot vapor. They, instead, appear as a cooler, condensed white smoke. After the engine reaches operating temperature, the white smoke usually disappears. 

It should also be mentioned that low oil viscosity at low temperatures is desirable in the new small 4 cylinder and V-6 cylinder fuel economy automobiles ( 5, 6). This is to permit sufficient speed of engine cranking for cold weather starting at winter temperatures. Low oil volatility must be maintained to prevent oil misting and blowby from poisoning the catalyst system and oxygen sensors in the anti-pollution devices (7). 

The lighter components in gasoline are used as a compromise between two extremes enough light components so that adequate vaporization of the fuel-air mixture provides an easy engine start in cold weather, but too many light components can cause the fuel to vaporize within the fuel pump and cause vapor lock. 

In addition to the above, higher-cetane-number fuels tend to result in easier starting, particularly in cold weather, and faster warm-up. The higher-cetane-number fuels also usually form softer and hence more readily purged combustion chamber deposits and result in reduced exhaust smoke and odor. High-speed diesel engines normally are supplied with fuels in the range of 45-55 cetane number. 

Engine starting fluids include ethers or other extremely volatile hydrocarbons used in gasoline and diesel engines to help in cold-weather starting. 

Automotive PEMFCs must be capable of enduring cold weather conditions such as freezing temperatures as low as -40°C. Even conventional ICE vehicles need help from engine block warmers, etc., in order to be able to start-up from subzero conditions. Under subzero conditions, an operating fuel cell will generate sufficient... 

Car and truck owners have relied on the lead-acid battery for over a century to provide the large burst of current needed to start the engine—and to do it in hot and cold weather for years. The main problems with the lead-acid battery are loss of capacity due to corrosion of the positive (Pb) grid, detachment of the active material due to normal mechanical bumping, and formation of large PbS04 crystals that hinder recharging. 

Lubrication oil contains waxes that solidify in cold weather and cause difficulties when starting automobile engines. Therefore, dewaxing of the lubrica-... 

Automotive fuel cells must survive and operate in extreme weather conditions (-40 to -f40°C). This requirement has a tremendous effect on system design. Survival and start-up in extremely cold climate requires specific engineering solutions, such as use of antifreeze coolant and water management. Water cannot be completely eliminated from the system, because water is essential for the membrane ionic conductivity. 

---