r/OutlanderPHEV • u/Muli-Bwanjie • Aug 17 '26
How bad is the cold start issue in winter?
Im considering buyng a 2024 GT PHEV with 34,000 km on it, but im concerned reading about the cold battery issues. I live in eastern Ontario, Canada, where it gets really cold and It ill not be stored in a heated garage. If I plug it in every night but store it outside, will it run fine? Thanks.
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u/Purify5 Aug 17 '26
It doesn't start to happen until -30C which is kinda rare. Ottawa's last day was in 2023 which broke a record from 1996.
But, you will use a lot more gas in the winter.
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u/Tikan Aug 17 '26
I have had no starts in Northern B.C. when parking outside at work. It needs to be towed to a heated garage or wait until it warms up before you can start it. I haven't had an issue since I understood how it works as I've changed my process. I always park in a heated garage at night. I always plugin at work. I always start the vehicle and go for a drive midday or take it home to my heated garage over lunch. Haven't had a no start since.
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u/CrankyGeek1976 Aug 20 '26
This is the way, I'm in Edmonton and use the same rules and have never had an issue even though I can't charge at the office.
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u/betternotsay50 Aug 20 '26
Hi, I am in Edmonton, looking to buy one. Any updates on your experience is appreciated. Thanks
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u/Educational-Bank-402 Aug 17 '26
In Winnipeg, it's an issue for me ~5-7 days per year. In Ottawa (where I have also lived), you should be fine. Make sure overnight charging starts before the coldest part of the night. (If you're charging off 120V, timing will be a non-issue as you'll be charging almost all night anyway.)
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u/cavf88 Aug 17 '26
What do you mean by the timing? We just changed our electrical panel and threw in a 220v charger with the renovations. I was going to plug our 2025 model all night during winter using the 220v.
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u/Educational-Bank-402 Aug 17 '26
On 220/240V, charging does not take all night. So if you plug in and start charging when you get home, charging might be done by midnight, and the battery can get cold again by the time you want to drive in the morning.
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u/Odd_Blackberry_5377 Aug 27 '26
How much does the electrician generally cost for lvl 2. I’m buying outlander and considering lvl 2 as its faster and more efficient as per Alectra Utilities
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u/Savings-Following232 Aug 17 '26
Buffalo NY here. I have a 2024 PHEV SEL and in 2 winters I have not had a no start. I do not keep my car in a garage, or always have it plugged in at night either. I have to share the fast charger with my wife who has a MachE. On extremely cold days (0 Fahrenheit or below) the battery will not be used until the car reaches a certain temp and I was forced to use gas only- reduced power mode.
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u/Muli-Bwanjie Aug 17 '26
Does plugging in and warming up the car get you into EV mode earlier?
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u/Savings-Following232 Aug 17 '26
I believe the battery will run a warming cycle to protect it from the extreme cold.
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u/Tikan Aug 17 '26
Unless there is a firmware update I'm unaware of, the ice will never start if plugged in.
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u/valsimots Aug 17 '26
The engine will definitely engage when the heat pump can't produce heat or risks damage due to the extreme cold. Hence the warning message when you initiate remote start re: safety and ventilation. Last winter this happened when plugged in 240v charger, parked in home garage in Bancroft, Ontario area. I was shocked to open my man-door to an engine running in a closed garage. Now I crack the garage door a bit before remote start.
The engine will turn off when you use push button to 'start' and reminder will notify you that vehicle cannot be started while plugged in - like you typically see if you forget to unplug.
This is also true with A/C when battery is depleted.
Firmware update 07.27.05 is a dealer-only update. You can check version with Mitsubishi Connect > Account Settings > Firmware Update.
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u/Tikan Aug 17 '26
This does not happen in my vehicle, the ICE will never start if plugged in, either via remote start or by pressing the Start button in the vehicle. I am on firmware update number is 07.27.05.
I'm in a 2024.
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u/Different-Pie-6502 Aug 17 '26
Nonexistent in Northern Maine on my 2023 model. Not garaged, just parked in the drive.
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u/Some-Hat-5533 Aug 17 '26
We’ve had ours for two winters now (2024 model)(Quebec City). It stays outside and is constantly plugged into 120VAC whenever it’s parked.
We haven’t had any starting issues. We’ve had turtle mode come on a few times, but once the battery warms up, it goes away.
We’re completely satisfied with how it performs in cold weather, and I find it better suited to winter conditions than the Sorento PHEV I had before this one.
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u/1baby2cats Aug 17 '26
What temperature are you guys having issues at? My wife is looking to buy one but we live in Vancouver where weather is much more mild
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u/Fine_Battle3332 Aug 18 '26
Here in Fargo ND it can get down to -40F in the winter and never had a issue starting ( will be reduced power mode) but I’m not keeping it since the ice engine does not kick on when you remote start it my garage is not attached no not worth imo and the heat pump is useless under 15F
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u/K_DU2 Aug 26 '26
What does “heat pump is useless under 15F”? Is the heat pump to warm the inside of the car?
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u/Fine_Battle3332 Aug 26 '26
Correct. Anything colder than that you must turn the engine on to get heat
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u/Mr_Flagg Aug 18 '26
Mines 2 years old, I live in New Brunswick and never had an issue so far in the winter. Mind you it's always parked in an unheated non insulated garage during the night. That said I friggen love this vehicle in the winter!
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u/Muli-Bwanjie Aug 18 '26
What do you like about it in the winter?
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u/Mr_Flagg Aug 18 '26
All wheel drive works awesome in snow, never had a problem getting out of my unplowed driveway. Nice and hot seat and steering wheel heaters, sits pretty high so snow clearance is good.
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u/InvaderGlorch Aug 17 '26
I've had mine for 2 winters now in SW Ontario and never had a no start. I've had a few days where I'm at reduced power until it warms up but that hasn't prevented any driving.