What Happens When a Car is Struck by Lightning?
5 Answers
When a car is struck by lightning, the people inside are not at risk of electric shock, but the penetrating effect of the lightning can cause some electronic devices to short-circuit and spontaneously combust, thereby damaging the vehicle. Additional details are as follows: When lightning strikes the car, the vehicle body acts as a large metal cage conductor, and the car's exterior shell functions as an equipotential body. People inside the metal cage are safe because the current passing through the metal cage is ultimately conducted to the ground through the tires. It is important to note that although the thousands of volts of current passing through the car do not pose an electric shock risk to the occupants, the penetrating effect of the lightning can cause some electronic devices to short-circuit and spontaneously combust, leading to vehicle damage. Once the electronic devices in the car malfunction, it will inevitably affect safe driving. Additionally, at the moment the vehicle is struck, the exterior shell's temperature can rise above 1,000 degrees Celsius. Therefore, occupants must remember not to exit the car to inspect the damage, both to prevent burns and to avoid being struck by lightning again.
I've personally witnessed a car struck by lightning – it was truly terrifying. The current travels through the vehicle's metal frame to the ground, acting like a protective shell, so occupants are actually safer inside than outdoors. But the electronics take the brunt – my friend's Mercedes had its navigation screen go dark and even the engine stalled after being hit. The most shocking part was the tire rubber burning through with a hole, emitting a charred smell. The current also caused lightning-shaped cracks in the paint, making repairs a nightmare. The insurance company's inspection report eventually declared it a total loss. Moral of the story? Avoid parking in open areas during thunderstorms and always keep windows closed.
As a physics enthusiast, I specifically researched literature on lightning strikes hitting cars. The metal frame of the vehicle creates a Faraday cage effect, allowing the current to flow along the outer surface, protecting the passengers. However, the instantaneous voltage can reach millions of volts, which is toughest on the electronic components in the car. Last year in California, a car was struck by lightning, causing the air conditioning system to automatically turn to maximum fan speed, the wipers to swing wildly, and the computer system to completely crash. The heated air inside the tires may also expand and cause a blowout. So, when encountering a thunderstorm, I recommend immediately turning on the hazard lights and pulling over to the side of the road, avoiding contact with metal parts, and waiting for both the people and the car to calm down for half an hour before moving on.
Last week, a car in our fleet was struck by lightning, serving as a stark reminder. The current typically enters through the roof antenna or side mirrors, and while passengers are generally unharmed, all electronic devices are fried. The reversing radar on that car smoked from burning, the automatic door locks failed, and the audio speakers buzzed uncontrollably. When the mechanic opened it up, the entire wiring harness inside had melted, and black burn marks dotted the infotainment system's motherboard. After a lightning strike, immediately check: 1. Whether tire pressure is abnormal 2. If there are cracks in the paint 3. If the power windows operate normally. Most crucially, avoid touching door handles immediately—wait until all electrical charge has dissipated.
A lightning strike on the car roof feels like someone banging a gong over your head. While it's safer inside the vehicle, the dangers shouldn't be underestimated: 1. The electrical surge can rush into the car's computer system, causing logic errors and sudden crashes. 2. The cigarette lighter socket may explode. 3. Power seats could get stuck halfway. During the last heavy storm, I saw a roadside car get struck - its headlights turned on by themselves while the turn signals flashed wildly like it was doing the robot dance. If the driver nervously touches the steering wheel, they might get static shocks making their fingers tingle. It's best to avoid wooded areas or high ground during thunderstorms, unplug all external chargers, and reduce lightning strike risks.
