Cold weather, no warmup, no acceleration

VTRanger

Banned
Banned
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Threads
8
Messages
256
Reaction score
494
Location
Vermont
Vehicle(s)
2021 XLT SuperCrew
  • Thread starter
  • Banned
  • #1
Hey guys... The other day after my truck sat outside in -5 temps all night, it had warmed up to about 10 degrees during the day and I tried to remote start the truck but it failed to remote start, not sure why. Not a big deal.

So I jumped in and didn't let it warm up at all, it reversed fine, and went into drive just fine, so I pulled out of my complex on to the road and hit the gas, it had no power, no matter how hard I stepped on the gas. A few seconds later, it accelerated and I got about 200 feet, stopped at the stop sign and I went to turn on to another main road and same thing happened, no acceleration at all. I was able to get back to my garage and let it warm up for a minute, it was fine for the rest of the day.

Is this normal? Could have been a major accident.

Also, no dash lights came on.
Sponsored

 
Last edited:

Orangesicle

New Member
First Name
Corey
Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
Saskatchewan
Vehicle(s)
2019 Saber Ranger XLT FX4
Occupation
Equipment Specialist
Hey guys... The other day after my truck sat outside in -5 temps all night, it had warmed up to about 10 degrees during the day and I tried to remote start the truck but it failed to remote start, not sure why. Not a big deal.

So I jumped in and didn't let it warm up at all, it reversed fine, and went into drive just fine, so I pulled out of my complex on to the road and hit the gas, it had no power, no matter how hard I stepped on the gas. A few seconds later, it accelerated and I got about 200 feet, stopped at the stop sign and I went to turn on to another main road and same thing happened, no acceleration at all. I was able to get back to my garage and let it warm up for a minute, it was fine for the rest of the day.

Is this normal? Could have been a major accident.

Also, no dash lights came on.

I am starting to think these trucks aren't made for cold climates, between the parking brake boots cracking, burning smell during remote start, now this. Good lord Ford!
I have the same issues, right around that -4F mark in D, every winter since new(3rd winter now). Try sport mode or even manual shift works for me. once it passes 5th gear go back to D then good till next cold start.

Funny thing, -31f over Christmas it was fine in drive lol.
 

f1loco

Well-Known Member
First Name
Don
Joined
Jul 29, 2021
Threads
4
Messages
68
Reaction score
122
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2018 JAG F-Type 400S - last of the British Fords
and being from Florida I always thought cold weather = happy turbos. Hope you sort it out.
 
OP
OP
VTRanger

VTRanger

Banned
Banned
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Threads
8
Messages
256
Reaction score
494
Location
Vermont
Vehicle(s)
2021 XLT SuperCrew
  • Thread starter
  • Banned
  • #4
I have the same issues, right around that -4F mark in D, every winter since new(3rd winter now). Try sport mode or even manual shift works for me. once it passes 5th gear go back to D then good till next cold start.

Funny thing, -31f over Christmas it was fine in drive lol.
Thank you for the tips and the quick reply, that makes me feel a little better.

Never experienced such a total acceleration failure like this in any other vehicle, just seems dangerous.

I was under the impression these trucks didn't need to be warmed up, I will definitely let it warm up going forward.
 

VegasRanger

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Jun 1, 2021
Threads
39
Messages
884
Reaction score
1,882
Location
Las Vegas
Vehicle(s)
2021 STX Crew Cab 4x4
Occupation
Damper Salesman
I think all cars, even modern cars, need at least a 2-3 minute warm up in extreme cold. It’s silly to me in my opinion to start a car in extreme cold and immediately start driving it. Give the damn thing a second to get the juices flowing lol. Even here in Vegas where the coldest it gets is 25 degrees, I’ll let the truck warm up a minute or two before putting into gear and driving off
 


Joeiconic

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Jan 31, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
1,539
Reaction score
5,229
Location
Georgia
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger XLT
Any water in your gas would have frozen at that temp, which could have caused the hesitation in acceleration. So, yeah, let it warm up a minute.
 
OP
OP
VTRanger

VTRanger

Banned
Banned
Joined
Jan 10, 2022
Threads
8
Messages
256
Reaction score
494
Location
Vermont
Vehicle(s)
2021 XLT SuperCrew
  • Thread starter
  • Banned
  • #8
Atf not flowing as fast as it needs to=no go
Thanks man... Will let it warm up from now on, my Subaru Crosstrek just goes no matter what, disappointed in the ranger in the cold temps.

So far in negative temps, I can't use my parking brake or it won't shut off cause the boot won't flex, or will crack the parking brake boot if you use it, can't remote start cause it smells like burning plastic, and don't try to drive without warming up or you might end up in an accident cause you have no acceleration.
 
Last edited:

CB750F

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2019
Threads
24
Messages
1,017
Reaction score
3,178
Location
Qc
Vehicle(s)
Subaru BRZ / SCAB Ranger XLT/FX4 & various motos
Occupation
Human
I agree, a little odd but for me, no matter what temp, -20c or 20c I always give it 1 min minimum before I go. Never go WOT until your motor is at normal operating temp.
This is the rule for all my vehicles. I don't want to warp something.
 

erty176

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 8, 2021
Threads
7
Messages
158
Reaction score
394
Location
Appleton, Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
Designer
I've found that occasionally trying to remote start from Ford pass when it's that cold doesn't work, but remote start with key always does. Who wants to get in a cold truck anyway? I'm weird and give it at least 5 min when it's that cold but that's more for my comfort then the trucks. Never had an issue when it felt like minus 25f out there.
 

Orangesicle

New Member
First Name
Corey
Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Threads
0
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
Saskatchewan
Vehicle(s)
2019 Saber Ranger XLT FX4
Occupation
Equipment Specialist
Thank you for the tips and the quick reply, that makes me feel a little better.

Never experienced such a total acceleration failure like this in any other vehicle, just seems dangerous.

I was under the impression these trucks didn't need to be warmed up, I will definitely let it warm up going forward.
I have added a scan gauge, once the engine hits 50f, I go. don't drive hard till I see 170f
 

AdamHarris

Well-Known Member
First Name
Adam
Joined
Feb 26, 2021
Threads
32
Messages
1,740
Reaction score
4,900
Location
Blue Oval City, TN
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 Black Supercrew
Occupation
Collision Repair Instructor
Vehicle Showcase
1
Doesn't this slow acceleration/stumble have to do with moisture in the intake plumbing that gets sucked into the engine when you first take off? Mine does it sometimes. Only on the first launch then its fine the rest of the day.
 

slowmachine

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jul 18, 2020
Threads
39
Messages
930
Reaction score
1,971
Location
New Hampshire
Vehicle(s)
2015 Jeep Wrangler, waiting for a Ranger PHEV
Doesn't this slow acceleration/stumble have to do with moisture in the intake plumbing that gets sucked into the engine when you first take off? Mine does it sometimes. Only on the first launch then its fine the rest of the day.
Extremely cold = extremely dry.
 

AdamHarris

Well-Known Member
First Name
Adam
Joined
Feb 26, 2021
Threads
32
Messages
1,740
Reaction score
4,900
Location
Blue Oval City, TN
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 Black Supercrew
Occupation
Collision Repair Instructor
Vehicle Showcase
1
Extremely cold = extremely dry.
Well no not necessarily. It can often be very humid when cold. We don't get "extreme" cold here anyway so I can't speak to what could be going on in sub 0 conditions. I just figured mine is condensation inside the piping getting sucked through and then its gone, until next time.
 
 



Top