Should New Cars Be Exposed to Sunlight?

[LaColton]

New cars should not be exposed to sunlight. The following are the hazards of sun exposure: 1. Increase in harmful gases inside the car: Many people use the method of sun exposure to remove odors from new cars. This is because car interiors can release harmful gases like formaldehyde under high temperatures, which can be harmful to human health when inhaled. Although sun exposure can help these gases dissipate faster, it also generates a large amount of gases in a short time, which are difficult to remove and can have many negative effects on passengers if they remain in the car. 2. Increased safety hazards: Items with compressed gases and lithium batteries are prone to explode or burn under high temperatures. If people are inside the car at this time, it can cause unpredictable harm.

[StLayla]

I had the same question when I just bought a new car. There was a plastic smell in the new car, and it seemed that exposing it to sunlight could speed up odor removal, but in the long run, it's really not worth it. Exposure to the sun can make the car's paint look old, and plastic parts like the dashboard may crack or fade. I once parked my car in the sun for half a day during summer, and the temperature inside was scorching hot—not only uncomfortable but also potentially harmful to electronic devices. Moreover, the smell in a new car comes from volatile substances in adhesives or plastics. Although exposure to the sun can help volatilize them, prolonged exposure can damage the materials. I recommend natural ventilation instead—opening windows during cool mornings or evenings and placing a few packs of activated charcoal or orange peels to absorb odors is safer and more effective. Regularly cleaning the car's interior can also prevent accelerated aging. The primary goal of new car maintenance is to protect both its exterior and interior. Don’t sacrifice long-term durability just to save a little time on odor removal—it’s worth being careful as car owners.

[EmmaMarie]

From a car maintenance perspective, be cautious with exposing new cars to direct sunlight. UV rays accelerate the aging of interior materials, making leather and plastic brittle and prone to cracking. High temperatures can also increase the release of harmful chemicals from car interiors, affecting health. The best way to remove new car odors is actually frequent window ventilation—leaving a small gap when parked in a garage works well. Excessive sun exposure poses significant risks: it may cause window film bubbling and reduce air conditioning efficiency, increasing power consumption. In my own practice, I always recommend friends to prioritize ventilation over sun exposure. For the first few weeks after buying a new car, open windows frequently and use air purification aids like activated charcoal bags—this approach delivers stable results while saving money. Remember, heat significantly impacts vehicle material lifespan, so proactive protection is paramount.

[SimonDella]

I don't think new cars need deliberate sun exposure. New car smell is common chemical residue—while sun exposure can accelerate dissipation, it comes at high costs: fading interiors, uncomfortably soaring cabin temperatures, and potential health issues like mold growth in heat. My usual approach is simply opening windows for ventilation and parking in shade for natural air circulation to remove odors more steadily. Buying a car air freshener or green tea bags for odor absorption also helps. Sun exposure may actually damage the car and isn't eco-friendly.