How long should a new car be exposed to sunlight for ventilation?
2 Answers
As for the duration of closed-window sun exposure, generally three hours is sufficient. Below is relevant information about car sun exposure: 1. Hazards: The main impact of car sun exposure is the generation of harmful gases. Most interior materials are made of plastic or leather, and prolonged exposure to sunlight can produce harmful substances such as formaldehyde. If you enter the car and turn on the air conditioning immediately without opening the windows, these harmful gases will be inhaled, causing harm to the body. 2. Precautions: After exposure to sunlight, car glass temperatures rise sharply, altering their physical properties. If the temperature becomes extremely high after sun exposure, using cold water to rinse the glass can easily cause it to crack or suffer performance damage.
When I first got my new car, I was also very concerned about this. Sun exposure and ventilation are mainly for removing formaldehyde and plastic odors. It's recommended to focus on this during the first month, exposing the car to direct sunlight for three to four hours each day, combined with fully opening the windows or doors for ventilation. Doing this continuously for three to five days will show quite noticeable results. It also depends on the materials—if there's a lot of plastic in the interior, it might take up to a week. In summer, high temperatures speed up volatilization, so the time can be shorter; in winter, it needs to be extended. After that, keep ventilating by opening the windows during daily drives for a while to ensure thorough cleaning. Excessive sun exposure can actually damage the car—leather seats are prone to cracking, and plastic parts can age faster. It's better to spread it out over several days and take it slow. I've tried using sunshades to reflect sunlight and reduce heat during exposure, which felt quite hassle-free.
