# Car Won't Start in Summer

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-in-summer/15792>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 24, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-in-summer/15792 "2008-06-24T19:18:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ktatum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/91b2a8/32.png) [@ktatum](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ktatum)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-in-summer/15792/1 "2008-06-24T19:18:25Z")

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I live in Salt Lake City and I own a 2001 VW Passat. All year long it starts without hesitation…until summer when the 85+ degree weather hits. Apparently my car decides that it should be on vacation during the summer months. The engine doesn’t want to turn over when I turn the key. I have to put it into Neutral or fiddle with the steering wheel to get it to start. Sometimes I have to do that several times before it decides to want to turn over.  
  
  
  
 My mechanic looked at my car a few years ago and said he couldn’t find anything wrong with it.  
  
  
  
 The only other thing that I have noticed is that it doesn’t seem to idle smoothly, but that isn’t seasonally specific. Honestly, I don’t know if that is really a problem.  
  
  
  
 I have another appointment with my mechanic next week. Any hints as to what the problem might be would be GREATLY appreciated!