('11+) Issues starting in cold weather

cole70 · 11-16-2012, 08:28 AM

I have had my 2013 Impreza Sport Premium with CVT for 4 wks now. Recently the temps have gotten into the teens/twenties at night. My Impreza is kept in the garage. I have found it hard to start in the morning. The dash lights up but the car will not turn over. I turn the key back, wait a few secs and try again and it will turn over but rather reluctantly. It rough idles after start up too. I do not have my foot any where near the gas pedal. There is a strong smell of exhaust at idle too at this time. There is a bit of an incline in the garage so the nose of the car is a bit higher than the rest. Also I did finally have to fill up the tank right before this started happening.

Anyone else experience this? Anyone have a clue as to what this could be?

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G-Omaha · 11-16-2012, 10:06 AM

Did you "top off" when the last fill was accomplished? If so, that is a "no no". Fill until the first click and then stop - adding a few more cents worth of gas would be OK; however, don't fill it up completely.

cole70 · 11-16-2012, 10:19 AM

Nope, did not "top off" when I filled the tank. In fact I stopped it just short trying to get a rounded dollar amt. :-)

myrt1987 · 11-16-2012, 10:32 AM

Happened to me too a while ago. The engine didnt want to turn over. Eventually did but scared me.

Also a little off topic, after filling my tank i turned on the car and still displayed an empty tank and then after 30 seconds slowly returned to full.

these only happened once so far so hopefully nothing

cs1986 · 11-16-2012, 10:39 AM

Try turning the key to ON for a few seconds and let the fuel pump do its thing. and start the car.
Also make sure you did turn the key all the way to the start position.

If that doesn't help I'd bring it back to the dealer.

I've started my engine cold in 0ºf weather without issue, except it cranks and little slower but that's expected.

Commander Keen · 11-16-2012, 10:45 AM

By not turn over, you mean the starter doesn't engage?

Zeeper · 11-16-2012, 11:38 AM

Take it to the dealer, it should start in the cold every time, it is a new car (and your issue is not normal).

WStrembitsky · 11-16-2012, 12:29 PM

I agree with Zeeper, it hit -17C in Edmonton a week ago and I had no issues starting my car.

aeoporta · 11-16-2012, 01:09 PM

So many variables

1 hold key and let instrument lights turn on for few seconds that way fuel pump starts and car turns over Easily
2 rough idle in winter normal for subie and for pzev
3 the toaster of a bat might be on its way out or not enough cca

Bring it to stealership if they say nothing's wrong have them test bat and also record the fact that you had this issue. Force them to check starter as well Bring a pair of headphones to past the time

Commander Keen · 11-16-2012, 01:18 PM

If you mean the engine turns over (starter engages) but has trouble firing, I'd give it some time.

Many ECUs will refine their starting parameters over time for different conditions. If this is the first time your car has ever started in these temperatures, it may still be learning. Don't be afraid to crank it for 5-10 seconds.

I had some extended cranking times at first, but they're very short now.

11-16-2012, 08:28 AM	#1
cole70 Scooby Newbie Member#: 334033 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Vehicle: 2013 Impreza SP SWP	Issues starting in cold weather I have had my 2013 Impreza Sport Premium with CVT for 4 wks now. Recently the temps have gotten into the teens/twenties at night. My Impreza is kept in the garage. I have found it hard to start in the morning. The dash lights up but the car will not turn over. I turn the key back, wait a few secs and try again and it will turn over but rather reluctantly. It rough idles after start up too. I do not have my foot any where near the gas pedal. There is a strong smell of exhaust at idle too at this time. There is a bit of an incline in the garage so the nose of the car is a bit higher than the rest. Also I did finally have to fill up the tank right before this started happening. Anyone else experience this? Anyone have a clue as to what this could be? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-16-2012, 10:39 AM	#5
cs1986 Scooby Newbie Member#: 314334 Join Date: Mar 2012 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Calgary AB Vehicle: 2012 Impreza S MBP	Try turning the key to ON for a few seconds and let the fuel pump do its thing. and start the car. Also make sure you did turn the key all the way to the start position. If that doesn't help I'd bring it back to the dealer. I've started my engine cold in 0ºf weather without issue, except it cranks and little slower but that's expected. Last edited by cs1986; 11-16-2012 at 10:48 AM.

11-16-2012, 11:38 AM	#7
Zeeper Scooby Specialist Member#: 299286 Join Date: Oct 2011 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Albany NY Vehicle: 2012 Sport 5MT Green/Silver	Take it to the dealer, it should start in the cold every time, it is a new car (and your issue is not normal). Last edited by Zeeper; 11-16-2012 at 02:55 PM.

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11-16-2012, 10:06 AM	#2
G-Omaha Scooby Specialist Member#: 209172 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Vehicle: 2012 Impreza CLL BL2	Did you "top off" when the last fill was accomplished? If so, that is a "no no". Fill until the first click and then stop - adding a few more cents worth of gas would be OK; however, don't fill it up completely.

11-16-2012, 10:19 AM	#3
cole70 Scooby Newbie Member#: 334033 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Michigan Vehicle: 2013 Impreza SP SWP	Nope, did not "top off" when I filled the tank. In fact I stopped it just short trying to get a rounded dollar amt. :-)

11-16-2012, 10:32 AM	#4
myrt1987 Scooby Specialist Member#: 323103 Join Date: Jun 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: toms river, nj Vehicle: 2012 Limited 2.0i Dreamy Gray Mistress	Happened to me too a while ago. The engine didnt want to turn over. Eventually did but scared me. Also a little off topic, after filling my tank i turned on the car and still displayed an empty tank and then after 30 seconds slowly returned to full. these only happened once so far so hopefully nothing

11-16-2012, 10:45 AM	#6
Commander Keen Scooby Newbie Member#: 319157 Join Date: May 2012 Chapter/Region: MAIC Vehicle: 2012 Impreza 4DR 5MT	By not turn over, you mean the starter doesn't engage?

11-16-2012, 12:29 PM	#8
WStrembitsky Scooby Newbie Member#: 323877 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Vehicle: 2012 Impreza Limited DGM	I agree with Zeeper, it hit -17C in Edmonton a week ago and I had no issues starting my car.

11-16-2012, 01:09 PM	#9
aeoporta Scooby Specialist Member#: 334126 Join Date: Oct 2012 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New Jersey Vehicle: 2013 5mt Sp Premium Venetian Red & Dark Gray	So many variables 1 hold key and let instrument lights turn on for few seconds that way fuel pump starts and car turns over Easily 2 rough idle in winter normal for subie and for pzev 3 the toaster of a bat might be on its way out or not enough cca Bring it to stealership if they say nothing's wrong have them test bat and also record the fact that you had this issue. Force them to check starter as well Bring a pair of headphones to past the time

11-16-2012, 01:18 PM	#10
Commander Keen Scooby Newbie Member#: 319157 Join Date: May 2012 Chapter/Region: MAIC Vehicle: 2012 Impreza 4DR 5MT	If you mean the engine turns over (starter engages) but has trouble firing, I'd give it some time. Many ECUs will refine their starting parameters over time for different conditions. If this is the first time your car has ever started in these temperatures, it may still be learning. Don't be afraid to crank it for 5-10 seconds. I had some extended cranking times at first, but they're very short now.