Can Cooling Spray Be Kept in the Car?

[DiHarley]

Cooling spray can be kept in the car for a short period, but it is best not to leave it there for extended periods. Here is more information about cooling spray: 1. Introduction: Spray cooling is an outdoor space environment cooling system. After the cooling spray is sprayed, it vaporizes, and the vaporization process absorbs heat, taking away the surface heat of surrounding objects, thereby providing a certain cooling effect. However, this effect is localized and cannot achieve a comprehensive cooling effect. 2. Risks: The product contains butane and propane-butane, which have anesthetic effects. Prolonged exposure can lead to poisoning. Additionally, it may cause glass to crack. When glass is exposed to intense sunlight, its surface temperature becomes extremely high. If the rapid-cooling spray is applied to the surface, it is likely to cause varying degrees of cracking.

[AndrewAnn]

A few days ago, I saw a car owner sharing a lesson on an auto forum: he left a cooling spray in the passenger seat during summer, and the glass bottle exploded. These spray cans contain high-pressure gas and chemical refrigerants, mostly flammable substances like butane and propane. After sitting in an open parking lot under the noon sun, the dashboard temperature inside the car can soar to 70°C, causing the metal canister's pressure to spike. Even a slight bump can trigger an explosion. Even if it doesn’t explode, high temperatures can deform the canister, causing leaks. If the refrigerant leaks into the air and encounters static sparks, it’s game over. Now, my habit is to always take the spray with me when leaving the car or use a sunshade to cool the interior. After all, the car has leather seats and electronic devices—one explosion could cost ten times more in repairs than the spray itself.

[EllieFitz]

Last year when our team collectively purchased cooling sprays, we specifically studied the packaging which had a prominent warning: storage in environments above 50°C is strictly prohibited. In actual tests, after parking in the open for two hours, the roof temperature inside the car exceeded 65°C. These aluminum cans are typically pressure-designed around 1.2MPa, and internal pressure can rise to nearly 2MPa under high temperatures. What's even more dangerous is that many cheap products use inferior valves. After exposure to sunlight, the rubber seals on the valves age and leak gas. If the leaked liquefied gas comes into contact with a cigarette lighter or the wiring of an old car causing a spark, the entire cabin can ignite within five seconds. Now, I either buy small bottles and discard them after use or switch to physical cooling pads, which can also double as a phone holder when placed on the dashboard.

[DelaneyLynn]

The chemistry teacher once explained this: butane gas has a vapor pressure of 0.2MPa at 20°C, which doubles to 0.5MPa at 60°C. The hazardous materials transportation regulations for fleets clearly state that the maximum storage temperature for liquefied gas tanks is 40°C. In summer, the inside of a car is practically a pressure cooker environment. Last month's fire drill demonstrated that a spray can left in the sun, when poked with a cigarette at the valve, instantly shot out a two-meter-long flame. I now keep cooling wipes in my car, which can also be used to wipe the steering wheel after use. If I really need to carry a spray, I'll put it in the insulated storage box in the trunk, but I still have to take it with me when I leave the car.