Should You Open the Windows When the Car is Exposed to the Sun?
3 Answers
It is necessary to open the windows when the car is exposed to the sun to prevent harmful gases from causing harm to the human body after exposure. The following are the hazards of prolonged sun exposure to a car: Generation of harmful gases: Under high temperatures, the interior materials can release harmful gases such as formaldehyde. As is well known, inhaling excessive amounts of formaldehyde can be harmful to human health. Therefore, it is advisable for car owners to open the windows for ventilation after prolonged exposure to the sun. Impact on the vehicle's sealing performance: The sealing strips on the doors and sunroof are made of rubber. It is common knowledge that rubber can deform and age under high temperatures, failing to provide an effective seal. Long-term exposure to the sun can lead to a decrease in the vehicle's sealing performance.
This really depends on the situation. My car was parked in an open-air parking lot and baked in the sun for an entire afternoon—getting in felt like stepping into a sauna. My first instinct was to roll down all the windows to ventilate, because the combination of leather smell and high heat was unbearable. But there’s a trick to opening the windows: just crack them open about two fingers’ width. This allows for quick heat dissipation while preventing sudden rain showers or dust kicked up by passing scooters from getting inside. Some say opening windows after sun exposure accelerates interior aging, but I think that’s a much smaller concern compared to the risk of heatstroke. Remember to ventilate for three to five minutes before turning on the AC—this helps the cool air circulate faster and reduces strain on the engine.
Living in the southern region, I've deeply experienced how cars turn into mobile ovens after summer sun exposure. From a safety perspective, it's essential to open windows for ventilation, especially when traveling with elderly or children. High temperatures can cause formaldehyde concentrations inside the vehicle to surge seven to eight times higher—opening windows for two minutes of cross-ventilation can expel most harmful gases. However, there's technique to window opening: don't roll down all windows immediately upon entering. Instead, opening diagonal windows first proves most efficient. Simultaneously, be mindful of property security—avoid leaving windows cracked when briefly stepping out to retrieve items to prevent opportunistic theft. For short parking durations, using a windshield sunshade is preferable to opening windows, as direct sunlight through open windows accelerates dashboard aging.
