Here’s Why Your Nissan Frontier Won’t Start in the Cold
Having trouble starting your Nissan Frontier in the cold weather? We can help you figure out why.
Written by Macy Fouse
Reviewed by Brittni Brinn
If you’re having trouble starting your Nissan Frontier in cold weather, odds are it’s your battery’s fault—but it could also be clogged fuel lines, frozen coolant, or the wrong oil. No matter what the problem is, it’s important not to drive your car until you find out the root cause.
The midsize Nissan Frontier pickup is versatile and capable, but not even the best trucks are immune to cold weather woes. If you’re having trouble
starting your vehicle in the cold
, keep reading to find out the most likely causes—and what you need to do about them. The 5 most common reasons your Nissan Frontier won’t start in the cold
1. Dead battery
The problem: Your battery is either old or sitting in the cold drained its power
What to do: Jump start the battery. If that’s not successful, you might need a new one.
How much it should cost: $0–$430
By and large, the most common reason your Frontier isn’t starting in the cold is a dead battery. Typical
Nissan
batteries last around three to five years, so if yours is around that age, it could be time for a replacement. Cold weather can worsen any existing corrosion on your battery terminals without you noticing, leading to an unfortunate realization on the first chill of winter. Before you go out and buy a new battery, though, try troubleshooting first. Try to
jumpstart the battery
with jumper cables or use a voltmeter to measure your battery’s voltage. If the jumpstart is unsuccessful or if the battery’s voltage is under 12.4 volts, you’ll likely be needing a new battery after all. 2. Weak battery
The problem: Your battery doesn’t have enough cold cranking amps (CCA)—either because it’s getting old or because the wrong battery was installed.
What to do: Replace the battery.
How much it should cost: $120–$500
There’s a chance that your battery isn’t totally dead—it may just not have enough power to start your truck in the cold. If your battery has any corrosion or if it’s already on the older side, it may not have enough power to crank your engine. There’s also a chance you’ve had the wrong battery in your Frontier the whole time.
All car batteries come with a certain rating for cold cranking amps (CCA), which measures the battery’s ability to start the engine in cold weather. Your engine generally requires about one CCA per cubic inch of engine displacement—depending on the year and engine of your Frontier, you'll likely need between 575 and 750 CCA in a battery. If your current battery doesn’t have an adequate CCA rating for cold weather, you won’t be getting very far without replacing it.
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3. Clogged fuel lines
The problem: Condensation can accumulate in the fuel tank, leading to clogged fuel lines in the cold.
What to do: Clean out the lines using a vacuum or plunger.
How much it should cost: $75–$150+
Once you’ve tested your battery and it seems to be working fine, you may want to get the fuel system checked out. The fuel lines—which carry gasoline from your tank to the engine—can sometimes get clogged with condensation due to the temperature change, but it could also clog your
fuel filter
or fuel pump as well. If you have the proper tools, flushing your fuel lines is pretty simple. However, a clogged filter or pump could lead to needing a whole fuel pump replacement, which could cost you close to $900.
4. Wrong engine oil
The problem: Your Frontier has the wrong type of oil, which is keeping the engine from performing as smoothly as it should.
What to do: Replace the oil with the correct grade as recommended by the manufacturer.
How much it should cost: $45–$75
If you use an oil with the wrong viscosity in the summer, you probably wouldn’t notice much of a difference—but wintertime will change that. Using an oil with a thicker viscosity can prevent your engine from working properly.
The recommended oil grade for a Nissan Frontier is a fully-synthetic 5W-30. The “W” in that grade refers to the oil’s winter viscosity, which is “5.” Any number higher than that will be too thick in cold weather for your Frontier to operate.
Be sure to check your owner’s manual for the recommended oil type for your specific model and change the oil with the right type if needed.
5. Frozen coolant
The problem: Coolant keeps your engine from overheating, but if it freezes, it can’t do its job.
What to do: Thaw out your Frontier with a fan heater (or wait for it to thaw on its own).
How much it should cost: $0
If it gets cold enough where you live, there’s a chance your engine coolant can freeze. Coolant makes sure your Frontier’s engine stays at functioning temperatures, so if it’s frozen, you’ll have trouble starting your truck. If the engine starts and your coolant is frozen, though, your engine could be in danger of overheating—which causes major damage.
If
frozen coolant
could be the culprit, do not try to drive your truck. Instead, you’ll need to make sure your coolant is thawed before driving again, which may take several days. You can speed up the process with a heater, but only drive your Frontier when you’re certain the coolant isn’t frozen anymore. MORE: Antifreeze vs. coolant: what’s the difference?
Other causes: bad alternator, faulty starter, or insufficient fuel
Battery issues, clogged fuel systems, and oil mishaps may be the most common reasons keeping your Nissan Frontier from starting in the cold, but they aren’t the only ones. In fact, the problem may not be related to the weather at all!
Here are a few other issues to look into:
- Bad alternator: Your battery is responsible for starting the engine, but the alternator is what charges the battery. If your alternator is faulty or worn, your battery won’t get enough power. Key signs to look for here are dim accessory lights and a dashboard battery light.
- Faulty starter: If you notice clicking noises when you try to start your engine, look at thestarter motor, solenoids, or ignition switch.
- Fouled spark plugs: You can’t start your car withoutspark plugs, so if yours are dirty or broken, you’ll have trouble starting your Frontier no matter what the temperature is outside.
- Out of gas: This may feel too simple, but it can be easy to miss! If your Frontier isn’t starting in the cold, make sure you have enough gas first—or look for a fuel leak if you put gas in it recently.
What to do if your Nissan Frontier won’t start in the cold
If it’s below freezing outside and your Nissan won’t start, it can be easy to panic—but not so fast. Take a deep breath and follow these steps to coax your Frontier into behaving properly in the cold.
Bring the battery inside
The chances of your battery being the root of your starting issues are pretty high, so letting it warm up may be just what your battery needs to get your Frontier running. No special equipment is required—just take your battery inside. Carefully disconnect your battery, move it indoors, and let it warm up for a few hours before putting it back.
Turn on accessory mode
If your battery is already on the struggle bus, this might feel absurd—but turning your Frontier to accessory mode might give your battery a push to warm up (figuratively this time). After a few seconds, turn your key to the “on” position without starting the car. After about 10 minutes, try to start your engine again.
Invest in an engine block heater
If frigid weather is common where you live, purchasing an engine block heater could go a long way in avoiding these common wintertime car headaches. To prevent morning starting issues, all you have to do is plug this device in overnight. As a bonus, it could even improve your winter fuel economy.
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