Is it okay to open all four car doors for sun exposure?
2 Answers
Whether it's a new car or an old one, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause damage to the car's paint, interior, plastic components, and more. Here are the hazards of exposing a car to intense sunlight: 1. Damage to the paint: It can harm the car's paint and accelerate the aging of the paint surface. Additionally, the window seals may also age faster, leading to poor sealing and potential water leakage. 2. Release of toxic gases from the interior: Extended exposure to sunlight can cause the interior to emit toxic gases. Materials such as leather, fabrics, composite materials, and rubber in the interior can release toxic gases like formaldehyde, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after being exposed to sunlight. 3. Accelerated tire aging: Tires exposed to prolonged sunlight may experience aging, softening, and deformation. When driving at high speeds, the increased tire temperature raises the risk of a blowout.
I usually like to open all four car doors to air out the car in the sun, especially right after the rainy season when that musty smell inside is really unbearable. Ventilating with the doors open noticeably speeds up the drying of moisture, and the seats and carpets don’t get sticky anymore. However, I recently noticed an issue—the dashboard of my car has started to fade from sun exposure. The technician at the 4S店 said it’s because the dashboard is mostly made of plastic, and prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can cause it to age and crack. Now I’ve learned to be smarter: on clear days when the temperature exceeds 30°C, I only open the windows halfway and have even bought a dedicated windshield sunshade. If you must air out the car, the best time is around noon for about two hours—any longer might actually harm the car. Also, remember to park in an open area; otherwise, passersby might accidentally bump into the doors, something I learned the hard way last time.
