Does the trunk get hot when the air conditioner is on in the car?
3 Answers
When the air conditioner is on in the car, the trunk temperature is higher than the cabin temperature. Here are some related solutions for dealing with excessive heat in the car during summer: 1. Parking location: The fundamental solution is to park in shaded areas whenever possible. 2. Water spray cooling: When the interior temperature is high, you can spray some water inside the car. Adding alcohol to the water helps with faster heat absorption and evaporation. Open the car doors, spray several times inside, then close the doors without opening the windows. The temperature will drop within minutes. 3. Door fanning: Open all doors and repeatedly swing them to manually expel hot air from the cabin. This can quickly reduce interior temperature in a simple yet effective way, but be mindful of the force applied. Note that this method isn't suitable for butterfly doors or gull-wing doors.
Speaking of the issue of high trunk temperature when the air conditioning is on in the car, I've personally experienced it multiple times over my decade-long driving experience. The air conditioning primarily cools the cabin through the internal air duct circulation system, while the trunk is separated from the cabin by a firewall and partition, receiving almost no cool air. When the AC is on, the trunk temperature mainly depends on external environmental factors and the vehicle itself. The engine generates heat during operation, especially in rear-engine cars where this effect is more pronounced. In summer, under intense sunlight, the metal surfaces of the trunk absorb heat quickly, causing temperatures to rise rapidly. I recommend avoiding storing melt-prone items like chocolate or beverages in the trunk, as they can create a mess if they melt. Whenever possible, park in shaded areas to minimize temperature increases. Regularly check the trunk seal for signs of aging to prevent hot air from seeping back in, which helps maintain overall comfort.
From my driving experience, turning on the AC in the car doesn't significantly affect the trunk temperature. The AC system only directs airflow to the front and rear passenger areas, while the trunk remains largely isolated, preventing cold air from entering. However, engine heat and the position of the exhaust pipe can influence trunk temperature. Once during a long trip, I noticed the luggage in the trunk was quite warm—it turned out to be due to external high temperatures combined with blocked vehicle vents. For daily driving, applying sunshade film on the rear windows can help lower temperatures and prevent trunk items from spoiling. During summer, regularly clear out trunk clutter to ensure proper airflow. For long-term vehicle use, although temperatures may not be extremely high, they can fluctuate, potentially affecting sensitive items like cameras or food.
