What is the temperature inside a car trunk in summer?
4 Answers
In summer, when the temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius, the temperature inside a car trunk generally ranges between 50-55°C. Here is some relevant information about car trunks: 1. Maintenance: Keep the trunk clean and properly use the mesh pockets on both sides. Most cars come equipped with these pockets to store items that may roll around, such as flashlights or small fire extinguishers. They don't take up much space, but it's not advisable to pile items together, as they may fall out of the pockets due to bumps during driving. 2. Precautions: Flammable and explosive items are prohibited. The interior of a car is a relatively enclosed space, and after being exposed to the sun in summer, the temperature inside can become very high. Storing flammable or explosive items in the trunk may lead to spontaneous combustion or explosion due to the high temperatures.
The temperature inside a car trunk during summer can be alarmingly high. As a driver with over ten years of experience, I've personally tested this multiple times. After parking in direct sunlight for a few hours, the thermometer can soar above 70°C, with the highest I've seen reaching 80°C. This is mainly due to direct sunlight hitting the car roof and windows, trapping heat inside the enclosed space like a small oven. The car's color also plays a significant role, as darker cars absorb more heat. If parked without shade, the temperature rises even faster. I once placed a bottle of water inside, and within half an hour, it became too hot to touch, with the plastic packaging deforming. It's advisable not to store flammable items in the trunk during summer to avoid the risk of spontaneous combustion. Parking in a shaded area or using a car cover can help. Additionally, due to poor ventilation, the trunk tends to be hotter than other parts of the car while driving, so be cautious with valuable items stored there.
As someone who frequently travels with kids, I've always been concerned about trunk temperature. In the scorching summer, the temperature can easily reach around 65°C, peaking at over 80°C, which can be fatal for children or pets. I remember one time when I left a dog toy inside and found it completely scorched when retrieving it in the afternoon—that's when I realized how dangerous it could be. If a child were accidentally locked inside, heatstroke could occur within minutes. The impact isn't just on humans; food spoils easily too—I learned this the hard way when all the fruits I stored went bad. I recommend developing the habit of not parking for too long, opening windows for a few minutes to ventilate and cool down, or installing sunshades. While the overall car interior gets hot, the trunk is more tightly sealed and slower to dissipate heat—safety should always come first and never be overlooked.
From a physical perspective, sunlight enters through the car windows, and the heat is absorbed by the seats and body panels, accumulating in the enclosed trunk to create a greenhouse effect. When outdoor temperatures exceed 30°C in summer, the trunk temperature can rapidly rise to 60-80°C, depending on sunlight intensity and duration. I've measured it with sensors—it surpassed 70°C within two hours at midday. Poor air circulation exacerbates temperature differentials, potentially causing thermal expansion and contraction damage to stored items. Metal components become scalding hot, while plastic hoses may melt or crack. A reminder: avoid storing electronics to prevent overheating failures. Temperature fluctuations also affect tire pressure, so overall monitoring and maintenance are crucial.
