A practice is disclosed for the start-up of a methanol-fueled engine at low ambient temperatures. Liquid methanol fuel is atomized using ultrasonic energy, mixed with air and introduced over a methanol oxidation-dissociation catalyst. Methanol oxidation is used to heat the catalyst to an elevated temperature at which methanol dissociation provides a noncondensable fuel comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen for the start-up of the engine at low ambient temperature.