4 Common Problems With Cars in the Cold

Winter is coming and with it the inevitable problems with cars. This blog post will cover some of the most common car problems in cold weather and how to solve them.

What are four common car problems in cold weather?

This post covers four cold-weather car problems: a door that will not latch, a transmission that seems to slip, a transmission that shifts hard, and a grinding noise when starting. It also covers weak batteries, because battery power drops as the temperature drops. Some of these problems have simple fixes. Others need a mechanic.

Keep reading to find out what causes these problems and what to do about them.

Car Won’t Latch When Cold

A car door that won’t latch properly can be frustrating and dangerous.

If your car door doesn’t latch when it’s cold, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem.

A frozen door latch is one common cause of a car door not latching when it’s cold. Do not pour hot water on or into a frozen lock. The AAA Hoosier Motor Club warns against it. Spray a lock de-icer into the frozen mechanism instead.

For a frozen keyhole, the same AAA guide suggests cupping your hands and blowing warm air into it. Do not force a key or any other tool into a frozen lock.

If the latch itself is not frozen, moisture may have frozen somewhere else in the lock mechanism, or a part such as the door lock actuator may have failed.

Use a lock de-icer, not hot water. To help prevent a repeat, AAA Club Alliance suggests spraying the locks from time to time with an automotive lubricant spray.

If the actuator is still not working, you may need to replace it.

Another possible cause is a damaged door handle. AAA advises against using excessive force or yanking on parts of a frozen car. If a door is frozen shut, push on it with firm but gentle force, then pull.

If the door handle is broken, you may need to replace it.

If your car door still doesn’t latch when it’s cold, the problem could be a more serious issue, such as a faulty door latch assembly. In this case, you will need to have the door latch assembly replaced by a professional.

Transmission Slips When Cold

Some drivers notice what feels like transmission slipping in cold weather.

This can be very frustrating, making your car feel like it is not running properly.

There are a few things that you can do to try and fix this problem, but it is important to understand what causes it before you can properly address the issue.

Transmission fluid gets thicker as it cools, which changes how a transmission behaves until it warms up. Some transmissions are also programmed to behave differently when cold. In a service bulletin for the 2014-2015 Chevrolet Spark with a CVT, General Motors said the car may feel as if the transmission is slipping when cold and called this a normal operating characteristic.

Slipping can also be a sign of low fluid. Kelley Blue Book says that if the transmission slips out of gear as you drive, or takes too long to engage, the fluid may be low.

If the fluid is low, it needs to be topped up and the reason for the loss found. Some cars have a transmission dipstick or reservoir under the hood. Consumer Reports notes that many modern cars have transmissions that are basically sealed, so a mechanic has to check them.

The fluid can be topped off or changed. Use only the fluid type listed in your owner’s manual. The right fluid varies from car to car, and Consumer Reports warns that a continuously variable transmission needs a CVT-specific fluid.

Using a different type of fluid can cause further damage to the transmission.

If your transmission is slipping due to a lack of fluid, it is also important to check for leaks in the system. A telltale sign of a transmission leak is a puddle of red liquid on the ground, usually under the middle or front of the car.

If you find a leak, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage to the system.

If the slipping feeling goes away once the car has warmed up and the fluid level is correct, it may be normal cold-weather behavior for your vehicle. If it continues when the car is warm, have the transmission checked.

Transmission Shifts Hard When Cold

Car transmission shifts hard in cold weather can be caused by a variety of things.

Cold, thick fluid is one cause. Fluid condition is another. Kelley Blue Book says a transmission that jerks or shifts loudly may have old or contaminated fluid.

Another possible cause is a dirty or clogged transmission filter.

This can cause the same problems as low fluid levels, as the filter prevents the proper flow of fluid to the transmission.

Finally, a transmission that has not been properly serviced or maintained is also more likely to experience hard shifting.

This is because the various parts inside the transmission can become worn down and fail over time if they are not properly lubricated and serviced.

If your car is experiencing hard shifting, the first thing you should do is look at the transmission fluid level.

If your car has a transmission dipstick and the level is low, add the fluid type listed in the owner’s manual until it reaches the proper level. Some newer vehicles do not have a transmission dipstick, so a shop has to check the level.

The transmission filter is changed along with the fluid, on the schedule the manufacturer recommends. Consumer Reports describes transmission service as a complicated and messy task for the average car owner, so most drivers leave it to a shop.

Have the transmission fluid changed at the interval in your owner’s manual. Consumer Reports says that interval can range from as little as 30,000 miles to more than 100,000 miles. On a high-mileage car, ask the shop about a drain and refill instead of a power flush, which Consumer Reports notes can dislodge sludge and lead to clogs.

Grinding Noise When Starting Car Cold

When cold weather hits, many car owners notice a change in their car’s performance.

One common issue is a grinding noise when starting the car. Several things can cause this, but a common culprit is the starter.

The starter motor is responsible for turning over the engine when you start your car.

Grinding, clashing or clanging noises when starting often mean the starter drive gear is worn out or is not engaging properly, according to Motorcar Parts of America. A slow crank or a clicking sound points to a weak battery instead, which is more likely in the cold.

Here is what to do.

Do not keep cranking an engine that grinds. Motorcar Parts of America warns that if these noises are ignored, the engine’s flywheel can be damaged.

Do not use starting fluid to fix a grinding starter. Starting fluid is a flammable aerosol that is sprayed into the engine’s air intake to help the engine fire. It is not applied to the starter motor and will not stop a grinding noise.

If the grinding continues, the starter may need to be replaced.

Have a qualified technician confirm the cause before replacing parts.

This video from GoTech covers diagnosing a starter grinding noise:

Other Common Problems With Cars in the Cold

Other issues you might encounter are a dead battery and worn or fouled spark plugs.

A cold battery is a common problem in colder weather, and it can be frustrating to be stranded with a dead car. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to fix a cold battery.

Cold cuts battery power. AAA Hudson Valley says that at 32°F a car battery loses about 35 percent of its strength, and at 0°F it loses about 60 percent. At the same time, a cold engine may need up to twice the normal current to start.

If you park outdoors in extreme cold, a battery warmer or blanket can help, and so can parking in a garage. If the battery is already dead, a jump-start can get the car running again.

To jump-start safely, follow your owner’s manual and connect the cables in this order: red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery, the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery, black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery, and the last black clamp to a bare, unpainted metal surface on the engine block of the car with the dead battery. Never attach the last clamp to the negative terminal of the dead battery. AAA warns this could create a spark and cause an explosion. Once the car starts, let it run for at least 30 minutes to help recharge the battery.

Have the battery tested before winter, and replace it if it fails. AAA says the average lifespan of a car battery is three to five years.

Winter driving habits can be hard on spark plugs. NGK lists continuous low-speed driving and short trips among the causes of carbon fouling.

When enough carbon builds up on a plug, the result is usually a misfire, and the engine runs rough. Lower fuel economy on its own is not a sign of bad spark plugs in winter: the U.S. Department of Energy says a gasoline car’s city mileage is roughly 15% lower at 20°F than at 77°F.

A plug that is completely fouled may need to be replaced, and the cause of the fouling should be found.

If you replace the plugs yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. There is no need for a long warm-up afterward. Most manufacturers recommend driving off gently after about 30 seconds.

Cold-Weather Safety Basics

• Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house, even with the garage door open. The CDC warns that breathing in a lot of carbon monoxide can make you pass out or kill you.
• Before running a car that is stopped in snow, make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow.
• Never pour hot water on or into a frozen lock.
• Keep winter supplies in the car. NHTSA lists a snow shovel, broom and ice scraper; sand or kitty litter; jumper cables, a flashlight and warning devices; a first aid kit; blankets; and a cell phone and charger, water, food and any necessary medicine.
• If you are stopped or stalled in winter weather, stay with your car and run it only sporadically, just long enough to stay warm.

Final Thoughts: Common Problems With Cars in the Cold

Winter is a tough time for cars.

Between the cold weather and the extra wear and tear, it’s no wonder that so many people have problems with their vehicles in the winter months.

Use this information to help keep your vehicle running through the winter, and see a qualified technician for anything you cannot diagnose safely.

More articles about cars and cold weather are listed below.

Related posts:

• What Color Car Is Best for Cold Weather?
• Is E85 Good in Cold Weather?
• Is Tesla Good for Cold Weather?

Sources

NHTSA (winter driving tips)
U.S. Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov (fuel economy in cold weather)
CDC (carbon monoxide poisoning basics)
AAA Hoosier Motor Club (frozen locks and doors)
AAA Club Alliance (frozen car doors and locks)
AAA Hudson Valley (cold weather and car batteries)
AAA Oregon/Idaho (jump-starting a car battery)
Consumer Reports (transmission maintenance)
Kelley Blue Book (transmission fluid)
General Motors service bulletin via NHTSA (cold shifts)
Motorcar Parts of America (signs your starter may need replacing)
Gumout (starting fluid directions)
NGK Spark Plugs (spark plug basics)
University of Michigan (extreme cold, vehicles and batteries)

Reviewed October 2026. We removed unsafe advice (hot water on frozen locks and starting fluid for a grinding starter), corrected the explanations for transmission, starter, battery and spark plug problems, and added jump-start and carbon monoxide safety guidance, using AAA, NHTSA, the CDC, Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book and NGK.