First winter of car ownership advice please

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FMF

FMF

FMF

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Hi all

As the title suggests this will be my first winter of car ownership and I'm looking for some sound advice so I can avoid problems and hopefully keep the car starting first time, today was the first time it hasn't.

From what I've read the car (02 Fiesta) should be serviced every six months so mine is well due one by now. I've been offered a service by the neighbours over the road who seem to know there stuff however I'm slightly cautious as the Haynes manual suggests some specific oils for the car and I imagine they would have to order the air filter. I'm also worried about being stung by some garage who think they can rip-off a new driver by suggesting work that doesn't need doing.

For a first time car own with little knowledge of mechanics how would you recommend I service the car and what tips can you give me to ensure performance throughout the winter.

Thanks
 
A standard service is relatively simple, oil change including filter, spark plugs most of the time, air filter check and some inspections. You don't say if it's petrol or diesel? in what way did it not start as well? Did the engine turn over? Was it turning over slowly or not at all? Cold weather can really cause an old battery that is either not keeping charge or not accepting charge to fail. if it's not being charged properly then it could be the alternator as well. Need moar info.
 
Hi,

Yes its a petrol Car, I believe the engine turned over it just didn't 'kick in' if you know what I mean. It started on its third attempt. Have had some people say that this may happen especially if I'm not driving the car over the weekend, is this correct?
 
Are you giving it a second or two with the ignition on before cranking it? - The ECU may need to recognise that the block is cold and engage the cold starting procedure.

Unless you experience really cold temperatures, I wouldn't worry too much.
 
I would suggest a new battery.

Car older than ten years, no recent service history, cold start problems-

Whack a new battery on it, it will be fine.
 
It should start first time, or at least after a second or two. Leaving it for a weekend shouldn't be an issue even in cold weather if the rest of the car is healthy. A service won't really help here unless the plugs are in desperate need of changing and even then I doubt it would have much effect. It does sound more like a battery issue. A car needs a certain voltage (or is that ampage?) to start. So even if it turns over it could still be a problem with a weak battery.... Or the alternator not charging it correctly.

With regards the service if your neighbour has offered then it would be a good idea to let him do it anyway and watch him to learn. Just make sure he uses the right grade of oil and if in doubt about the oil filter then just get one from the main dealer. Keep all receipts as evidence the next owner that the service was done.
 
Hi,

What model of Fiesta and which engine? Petrol or Diesel and size? e.g Petrol 1.4.

Perhaps you could buy the service items yourself, do you have a Eurocarparts near you?

6 months is quite frequent for a service, I'd imagine 12 months or around 10000 (whichever occurs first) would be about right. Consult the handbooks that came with the Fiesta for the correct figures.
 
I've the same car, if it's an '02 (Mk VI?) 1.4 petrol, with the same issue. Very occasionally fails to turn over from ignition alone and needs a bit of coaxing on the gas to fire up. It's probably 1 in 60 starts or so that it does it.

Pretty sure it's the alternator, myself. Had a service last month but forgot to mention it to them. It's going for MOT in April anyway so will probably just leave it until then.
 
Thanks for the advice gents.

Its the Mk6 Fiesta 1.3 (I have read that this is the worst of the engines).

I have also noticed only when its rains small amounts of oil around the car, would this be something you bring up when servicing or is this asking for trouble?
 
FMF said:
I have also noticed only when its rains small amounts of oil around the car, would this be something you bring up when servicing or is this asking for trouble?
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I'd have a look underneath the car to see if it's anything obvious. If you can't see anything then you could always ask the garage to have a look for the source of the problem. In the mean time, keep an eye on your oil level.

You never know, it might be something really easy to fix, like a perished sump gasket.
 
atpbx said:
I would suggest a new battery.

Car older than ten years, no recent service history, cold start problems-

Whack a new battery on it, it will be fine.
Click to expand...

Yep new battery and plugs. Until then make sure you keep all electrical things off and press down the clutch when starting.
 
FMF said:
Thanks for the advice gents.

Its the Mk6 Fiesta 1.3 (I have read that this is the worst of the engines).

I have also noticed only when its rains small amounts of oil around the car, would this be something you bring up when servicing or is this asking for trouble?
Click to expand...
the 1300cc endura e? I think they used the same lump in the mk2 fiestas (iron head)
 
red eye said:
the 1300cc endura e? I think they used the same lump in the mk2 fiestas (iron head)
Click to expand...

Similar but not quite the same. Mk2 Fiesta had a Valencia engine, Mk3 was the 'HCS' and later came the Endura E which was renamed to Duratec E in the very early Mk6, and then they quickly switched over to the single overhead cam 'ROCAM' engine which is also called the Duratec E. Bloody Ford and their stupid engine/trim level naming confusion :mad:

A full service and a check on the battery (local battery center will do this) should sort out poor cold starting.
 
Most garages will offer you a free winter health check..
Things like amount of antifreeze in the coolant, winter mix of screen wash, tyre tread depth/type of tyre and tyre pressures, condition of wiper blades and the condition of the starting battery should be included in those checks along with a quick run round of all the lights.

Even well hardened spanner monkies like me get caught out in the cold weather... Last week we had our first cold snap and my derv decided not to fire up one morning... Diagnosis - 2 failed glow plugs :rolleyes:
 
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How accurate are those gauges from Halfords that tell you the antifreeze condition? I'm not sure how good mine is.

I checked my battery, have changed my starter and plugs and will be changing oil+Filter tomorrow hopefully.
 
The refractometer or the floating balls one. :D

I've only ever used the floaty type. Good enough for me. as long as it's around 50% that's close enough for me.
 
Do what I do, and have done for the last 15 years of driving. When winter comes, get in the car, as you do in summer, turn on the engine and then drive. :p
 
Lucero said:
Do what I do, and have done for the last 15 years of driving. When winter comes, get in the car, as you do in summer, turn on the engine and then drive. :p
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Same, just not for 15 years. lol. Whether it's freezing cold or hot, my car needs a slight poke of the accelerator to start. But it's always done so first time :)

Only difference I get when it's cold is that the central locking takes 2 minutes to unlock the doors!
 
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