3 Reasons Dodge Ram Won’t Start In Cold (With Solutions)

The Dodge Ram is at the forefront in the power arena. It can move weights like no other and travel in extreme conditions.

In addition, its power to function optimally in cold situations makes the car one of the best options for different climates. 

When it refuses on a cold morning out in the snow, you want to find reasons for that.

Knowing why it won’t start in the cold makes it easier to find appropriate solutions. So what could be the reasons?

The battery is the first place you should check when your car won’t start in the cold. Low battery capacity can be the source of the problem. However, some other issues that arise specifically during low weather conditions can prevent your car from starting up. I’ll highlight them in this article.

Why Won’t My Dodge Ram Start in the Cold?

Several operations in your car need the average temperature to function.

Some of these operations will work even when not at their best state when the environmental condition permits it. Read more to know why Dodge Ram Park Assist Not Working.

However, these compartments and processes need to be in optimum condition to function in the cold. 

It goes without saying that you should ensure the reason for your Dodge Ram’s failure to start.

Sometimes, the issue with your vehicle might have nothing to do with the cold outside. It is a waste of time and body heat to fix the cold-related problems in this situation. 

Once you ascertain the problem to be cold-related, you can check the possible issues and solutions to each potential or likely problem.

Some of these include;

#1. The Battery Capacity

Understandably, this is the most common problem you will face when dealing with your Dodge Ram not starting in the cold.

The battery is responsible for starting up your engine and sparking up the combustion process.

The current to produce the spark ignition for your combustion engine comes from the battery. 

The term for this process is cranking. It relates to the sound you hear when starting the Ram.

A Dodge Ram standard battery has two significant ratings; the cranking amps and the cold cranking amps.

The cranking amps are for when your car is in average weather conditions. The cold-cranking amps take the cold state of the engine into account. 

When the battery capacity reduces, the cold-cranking amps also reduce. If the reduction goes below the required current to start your Ram, it will fail to start.

Note that the cold-cranking amps requirement is more than your regular cranking amps.

Solution

#1. Warming up the Battery:

Several options to make your battery active again. One option is to raise the battery temperature.

This raising will involve removing the battery and taking it to a warmer environment. That could be indoors at home where it is warmer or anywhere else.

The idea is to get the chemicals active again. The chemicals that produce the currents react faster when the condition is warm.

After warming up the battery, turn off all the car’s accessories before trying to start the car again.

The process might take a while, so you should only do this where you are comfortable.

#2. Charging the battery:

If you are not in a hurry to get your Dodge Ram on the road. You can check the battery at your local auto dealer for charging.

You can also use a trickle charger for this process if you have one at home. 

The owner’s manual of your car provides details on how to charge your battery. Make sure to check the warning lights of your Ram when the battery capacity is reducing.

#2. The Battery Rating 

Your Dodge Ram has a standard rating for cold-cranking amps and regular cranking amps.

If the ratings of your battery do not meet up with these ratings, the car will fail to start. This issue arises when you replace your old battery. 

One major problem is that your new battery might meet the average cranking amps requirement but not the cold-cranking amps requirement.

This disparity means your car will start under normal conditions but not in the cold.

Solution

I’m afraid that charging your battery to maximum capacity won’t affect this time. There are only three options before you.

The first option is the awareness not to get a battery below the requirement. The second option is to get a new battery once you realize the issue. 

The third option is a bit tricky. You can use another battery from a car with the standard capacity to jump-start your vehicle.

Jump starting involves connecting another car to your and starting the engine. Jump starts will also work for batteries with reduced power.

You can jump-start your car in these simple steps:

• Park both cars to make it easier to connect both batteries.
• Connect the batteries using jump leads. You start with the red jump lead connecting both batteries’ positive terminals. The black jump leads to connecting the working battery’s negative terminal to an earthing point away from the battery.
• Start the car with the functioning battery after setting up the connection. Also, turn on the engine of the car with battery issues.
• Keeping both engines running and idle for more than five minutes.
• Turn off both engines and disconnect the setup. Be careful to disconnect the black jump lead before the red jump lead.
• Start the engine of the Dodge Ram with battery issues one more time. It should start and run just enough to get a permanent solution. It is best to start the engine again after the disconnection before the battery and engine cools down.

It is important to note that the jump-starting process requires safety measures.

For example, under certain conditions, the setup could be explosive, so check the environment to ensure proper safety. 

#3. The Wrong Oil Type

Different compartments of your engine need oil for lubrication and easy movement.

While there are different types of engines, there are also other types of oil. In cold conditions, the viscosity of oil increases.

If the oil in the engine does not have a low viscosity in the cold, it won’t start. 

The wrong oil type can damage several compartments in your car or hinder their free movement.

This damage ultimately leads to failure to crank in the cold. In severe cases, it causes significant damage to your vehicle. 

Solution

The standard quality of oil for Dodge Ram is 5w-20 synthetic oil. This oil type has a low viscosity (five) when in cold conditions.

The lower the viscosity, the better it performs in cold weather. You might need to change your oil if that is not what you have in the engine. 

You should drain the wrong oil type entirely before replacing it with a new one.

Mixing the two oil will not give you the desired result. It is better to use only the standard oil as a replacement. 

Car Won’t Start When Cold l All About Auto

Conclusion

If your Dodge Ram won’t start in the cold, the first thing you want to check is the battery. Of course, the battery is not the only possible issue.

However, it is the main and most common. Once you implement the right solution, your Dodge Ram is active again and ready to ram home through the cold.