What Causes Difficulty in Starting a Car in Summer?
4 Answers
Here are the specific reasons: 1. Battery Depletion: The starter begins to turn but lacks sufficient speed or power, eventually making only a clicking sound without turning. Low temperatures in winter and forgetting to turn off certain electrical devices can prevent the vehicle from starting, especially after prolonged short-distance, low-speed usage in winter, causing the battery voltage to drop below the rated value, making starting and normal operation impossible. 2. Fuel Flow Obstruction: There is no fuel pressure in the engine's fuel supply line. This situation often occurs on extremely cold mornings due to long-term contamination of the fuel lines. At very low temperatures, water mixed with debris can block the fuel lines, resulting in a failure to start. 3. Poor Ignition System Performance: In extremely cold weather, the low intake air temperature causes poor fuel atomization in the cylinders. Combined with insufficient ignition energy, this can lead to cylinder flooding, where excessive fuel accumulates in the cylinders, exceeding the ignition limit concentration and preventing the engine from starting.
I've been driving for over a decade and have encountered many situations where the car wouldn't start in the summer. High temperatures are particularly harsh on batteries, and older batteries over three or four years old tend to lose charge easily when the weather gets hot, causing the dashboard lights to dim during startup. Once, my car had difficulty starting after being exposed to intense sunlight, and it turned out to be a fuel line issue—gasoline evaporated due to the heat, forming bubbles that blocked the fuel line, preventing the fuel pump from delivering fuel. A mechanic taught me a little trick: if the car doesn't start, don’t keep turning the key repeatedly; wait two minutes and try again, giving the fuel line time to cool down. Another major reason is carbon buildup—the air conditioning compressor increases the engine’s workload, and excessive carbon deposits in the throttle body can restrict airflow. I recommend focusing on checking the battery voltage and electrode condition. If the car consistently struggles to start, it’s time to clean the carbon buildup in the fuel system.
In summer, the most critical component to check for starting difficulties is the battery, as high temperatures accelerate electrolyte depletion, leading to insufficient voltage. Last time, I encountered a car owner who failed to start the engine over ten times after prolonged exposure to the sun. Testing revealed the battery had aged to only 30% of its capacity. Fuel vapor lock is also common, where gasoline vapor forms bubbles in the fuel line, blocking fuel supply, especially when the fuel level is low. Carbon buildup is more insidious; with the AC on, the engine is under greater load, and carbon deposits can affect the air-fuel mixture ratio. I make it a habit to test battery health during every maintenance service. Batteries over three years old require extra attention in summer—difficulty starting when hot but no issue when cold in the morning is a telltale sign. Parking in shaded areas can also reduce the likelihood of vapor lock.
My car always has difficulty starting in the afternoon during summer. The mechanic said this is a typical high-temperature issue. The battery temperature can exceed 60°C under the scorching sun, causing the storage capacity of an aging battery to plummet. Gasoline is particularly prone to evaporation, forming bubbles in the fuel lines that obstruct fuel supply. Once, in a hurry, I kept turning the key forcefully and nearly burned out the starter motor. Now I've learned a trick: if the engine fails to start, first turn off the AC and cut the power, then open the hood to let it cool for five minutes before trying again. Also, pay attention to battery terminal oxidation—green oxide can block the current. If you frequently encounter starting difficulties, it's advisable to test the battery capacity and the alternator's charging efficiency.
