Cold weather can make starting flex-fuel cars difficult; see tips from NGK

Japanese multinational explains how the different systems work
cold start and what precautions should be taken by drivers

São Paulo, May 2022 – With the drop in thermometers, Many drivers are already starting to worry about the operation of their vehicles., since flex-fuel engines fueled with ethanol may have difficulties starting in the absence of proper care with the cold start systems. In order to help drivers, and NGK, Japanese multinational spark plug specialist, lists some guidelines for the proper functioning of the different devices that aim to facilitate starting in flex-fuel cars when the ambient temperature is below 15°C. Check it out below:

Starting auxiliary tank: present in the Brazilian fleet since the 1980s, with the entry of ethanol vehicles, the starting auxiliary tank has a fuel tank, which is injected into the engine with the function of improving the car's starting. According to Hiromori Mori, NGK Technical Assistance Consultant, gasoline injected into the engine vaporizes more easily, helping the engine to start when it is cold.

“On cold days, the driver must fill the tank with gasoline, preferably the additive, which prevents the formation of waste. It should also prevent the device from running empty, which could damage the electric pump that powers the system, in addition to making the game difficult.”, orient Mori. It is still essential to check the absence of leaks in the system and the condition of the fuel., which must be replaced after a long period, once gasoline aged, in addition to favoring the formation of residue, has its burning difficult.

preheating system: solution that aims to heat the ethanol at the time of departure, the preheating system is adopted in more modern flex engines, that dispense with the use of the auxiliary tank. According to the NGK expert, the driver must wait for the dashboard injection lights to go out to ensure the system is ready for departure. “Each system has a pre-set warm-up time that may vary from vehicle to vehicle.. Starting the engine with the fuel still cold will make starting difficult.”, Mori explains.

Direct injection engine: in the case of this technology, fuel is injected at high pressure into the engine, which eliminates the use of the preheating system or the auxiliary tank to start the vehicle on ethanol at low temperatures. Hiromori explains that the high pressure of the injection system already favors the vaporization and atomization of ethanol. "Thus, formation of liquid fuel is greatly reduced, which also facilitates starting the engine”, points.

Essential vehicle care

Due to low temperatures, drivers must adopt some essential care with the vehicle – the first, according to Mori, is to examine the ignition system, especially the candles, responsible for generating the spark (spark) that will burn the fuel. “Candles with outdated life or excessive wear reduce vehicle performance and make starting difficult”, highlights the NGK Technical Assistance consultant.

Furthermore, it is essential to check the condition of components such as the battery, the charging system – alternator, the starter, the injection system, and cold start system. “It is important for the driver to ask his trusted mechanic for a complete evaluation of the starting system., regardless of the fuel used, to avoid future troubles.”, Mori ends.