Karting in winter: how to drive in the cold and protect your Rotax engine
Updated: 3 days ago
Winter doesn't stop those who love the track. In fact, cold, clear days are often perfect for driving and training. But karting in winter needs a different approach: the engine struggles to warm up, the tyres take longer to come up to temperature and colder air changes how the kart behaves. Here is what you need to know about driving a kart in the cold without risks.
In short In the cold the engine must be warmed up properly before you push: for maximum performance the water should be at around 55 °C, and an engine that runs too cold risks seizure. If the temperature doesn't rise, partly cover the radiator. Tyres must be brought up to temperature with progressive laps and carburation must be checked.
Why karting in winter needs a different approach
In the cold, three things change at once. The engine cools more and struggles to reach working temperature. The tyres start cold and take more laps to give grip. The air is denser and carburation changes. Anyone who tackles their first winter outing like a day in May risks a spin on the first lap or, worse, engine damage.
The Rotax engine in the cold
• Warm it up before you push: below 10 °C outside, don't demand full power until the water is up to temperature.
• The right temperature: for maximum performance the water should be at around 55 °C.
• Thermostat: it helps the engine warm up quickly, but in very cold air it isn't enough on its own.
• Watch out for seizure: an engine that runs too cold risks piston seizure.
Read more in the guide to the Rotax engine radiator.
Covering the radiator: tape or blind
If in cold air the engine doesn't get up to temperature, reduce cooling by partly covering the radiator with adhesive tape. It is the simplest solution, but it has to be redone every time conditions change. That's why many drivers use an adjustable blind: it opens or closes according to the temperature on the display. You'll find everything in the guide to the kart radiator blind and deflector.
On the Rotax MAX EVO the right radiator is the original one: you'll find the complete Rotax MAX EVO radiator in our shop.
Cold tyres: the first laps count
In winter the track is cold and tyres take longer to warm up. In the first laps grip is low: brake earlier, open the throttle more gently and increase the pace only when you feel the kart holding. Check cold pressures before going out and again hot after the session: in the cold the values change compared with summer. Revise the guide to karting tyre pressures and, if the track is damp, the one on driving in the wet.
Carburation and battery
Cold air is denser and carburation that worked in summer must be checked: ask your technician and read the guide to the Dell'Orto VHSB 34 XS carburettor. The battery also suffers in the cold: keep it charged and check it before going out, as the guide to the Rotax engine battery explains.
The driver: warm up before getting in
Cold hands and feet make your driving less precise. Arrive on the grid already warm, with thin breathable layers under your suit, and put your gloves on at the last moment, keeping them warm until then. In the cold, concentration also drops faster: shorter, well-executed sessions are better.
At the end of the day, if the kart stays somewhere temperatures can drop below zero, drain the cooling circuit completely.
Frequently asked questions
Can you go karting in winter?
Yes, with the right precautions: warm the engine up properly before you push, bring the water to around 55 °C and, if it doesn't get there, partly cover the radiator.
Why is a cold engine dangerous?
Because an engine that runs too cold risks piston seizure. That's why it must be warmed up properly before you push.
How do you cover a kart radiator when it's cold?
Partly cover it with adhesive tape to reduce cooling, or use an adjustable blind, which lets you open or close the radiator according to the temperature shown on the display.
Source: official Rotax 125 MAX and DD2 manual.
Questions about this topic?
Message us on WhatsApp: we answer personally, with the experience of people who live at the track. And if you want to drive a real racing kart, with Arrive & Drive you get into one of ours, ready on track. The right spare part? You will find it in the shop.
Arrive & Drive Pro by TKS RaceLab: 2026 karts with Rotax Senior MAX and DD2 engines, Alfano 7 telemetry and trackside technical support at Lonato, Franciacorta, Cremona and Ala. Message us on WhatsApp for information and availability.
TKS RaceLab | Performance Engineering Karting | tksracelab.com
Read also: Kart radiator blind and deflector: how and when to use them → · Driving a kart in the wet → · The Rotax engine radiator: the right temperature →
📞 Contact
📞 +39 352 0280 133
Author: Sergio, TKS RaceLab | Published: 18 October 2026
TKS RaceLab is the Italian online store dedicated to karting: spare parts, accessories and everything you need to get on track. With Arrive & Drive you arrive at South Garda Karting (Lonato), Franciacorta, Cremona or Ala and find your kart ready to go. No hassle, just driving.
Comments