What Are the Hazards of Car Exposure to Sunlight?
2 Answers
Introduction to the hazards of car exposure to sunlight: 1. Accelerated aging of interior materials: Vehicle interiors are generally made of plastic materials, such as the dashboard, which can easily deform and produce abnormal noises under prolonged exposure to sunlight. Seats, typically made of fabric or leather, can harden and deteriorate in texture under high temperatures. It is advisable to cover them with items like car covers when exposed to sunlight. 2. Impact on vehicle sealing performance: Many components, such as door and sunroof seals, are made of rubber. As is well known, rubber can deform and age under high temperatures. Exposure to high summer temperatures for eight to nine hours can easily cause these seals to deteriorate, reducing their effectiveness and leading to a decline in the vehicle's sealing performance over time. 3. Generation of harmful gases: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause interior materials to emit harmful gases like formaldehyde. Inhaling excessive formaldehyde can pose health risks, so it is recommended to ventilate the car by opening windows after prolonged exposure. 4. Increased safety hazards inside the vehicle: Items containing compressed gas or lithium batteries inside the car can easily explode or combust under high temperatures. Even if they do not cause direct harm to individuals, they can damage internal components of the vehicle.
I've been driving an SUV for over five years, and every summer when the car is parked outside under the scorching sun, it's truly nerve-wracking. Just look at the paint—intense UV rays can easily cause it to fade, lose its shine, or even develop fine cracks. Last summer, my car was left in the sun for a week, and the hood's paint ended up discolored, costing me nearly two thousand yuan to repaint. Plastic parts are even more fragile; the wheel arches and grille aged and cracked, crumbling at the slightest touch. Tires exposed to prolonged sunlight harden and deform, accelerating wear—I even had a scary blowout while driving. The interior didn't escape either, with seat materials fading and stiffening, significantly reducing comfort. In short, sun exposure causes massive damage to a car's exterior. Now, I always use a sunshade cover to avoid the hassle of constant repairs.
