Is There Air Conditioning in the Trunk?
3 Answers
The trunk does not have air conditioning. Car air conditioning systems are located inside the cabin. If needed, you may consider placing a car refrigerator in the trunk. Note that sedan trunks cannot accommodate external air conditioning units. External air conditioning units must not be laid flat during transportation. Laying them flat can cause the compressor's base fixing plate to deform due to vibration and damage the pipes connected to the compressor, resulting in damage to the external unit. Functions of Car Air Conditioning: It adjusts and controls the temperature, humidity, air cleanliness, and airflow inside the cabin to an optimal state, providing a comfortable environment for passengers and reducing travel fatigue. It also creates favorable working conditions for the driver, ensuring driving safety. Precautions When Using Car Air Conditioning: Choose an appropriate temperature setting, avoid immediately switching to recirculation mode upon entering the car in summer, do not leave the air conditioning on for extended periods, avoid adjusting the vent direction arbitrarily, use the air conditioning in a fully enclosed state, and avoid resting or sleeping for long periods in a parked car with the air conditioning on.
I've always driven regular family cars and noticed that the trunk usually doesn't have dedicated air conditioning vents. The AC system is designed primarily for passenger comfort, with vents located on the front dashboard or near the rear seats. The cooled or heated air directly reaches the occupants, while the trunk, being separated, has slower air circulation and less temperature variation. In summer, drinks placed in the trunk stay warm for a long time because airflow hardly reaches there. Once, I drove a friend's luxury SUV that seemed to have a small vent on the side of the trunk, but that's quite rare—don't expect it in ordinary cars. To improve the situation, you can turn on the AC recirculation mode, which helps cool air reach the back faster, though the effect is limited. When parked, using a sunshade or leaving the windows slightly open can also help lower the temperature a bit. After all, the trunk is mainly for storage, not a priority for AC service.
I've driven quite a few cars and often need to transport goods, so I'm quite familiar with trunk temperature issues. In reality, very few cars have air conditioning vents in the trunk, as the design prioritizes cabin comfort. The cold air comes from the front and takes time to reach the back seats, making the trunk even slower to cool down. For example, last week I was transporting perishable food items—while the cabin was air-conditioned, the trunk remained warm, relying solely on natural air circulation. Some hatchbacks or station wagons might have better airflow, but they still lack direct vents. If your car model has rear air vents, keeping them on can bring cold air closer to the trunk opening, indirectly helping with cooling. Parking in the shade or ventilating by opening the car doors usually works better. The trunk isn't the intended target for air conditioning, so modifications aren't necessary.
