Why Can Sleeping in a Car with the Air Conditioning On Lead to Death?
4 Answers
Insufficient oxygen levels inside the car and excessive carbon dioxide production can cause difficulty in breathing, leading to the risk of suffocation. Here are the detailed explanations: 1. Using the air conditioning: After starting the vehicle, do not turn on the air conditioning system immediately. Wait for the vehicle to run for five to ten minutes before turning it on. When initially using the air conditioning, do not set the temperature to the lowest level. Use the second fan speed setting and switch to external circulation mode. After a few minutes of operation, you can proceed with normal usage. 2. Internal and external circulation: If the external circulation mode of the air conditioning system is not activated, opening the car windows or sleeping in a well-sealed environment, such as a garage, is highly discouraged. There is a significant risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can result in personal injury or accidental harm.
I once specialized in researching car safety issues. If you sleep in the car with the air conditioning on and the engine running, carbon monoxide will be emitted into the vehicle. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is colorless and odorless. If the car is well-sealed, it accumulates and can knock people unconscious or even kill them. When people are asleep, their breathing slows down, and carbon monoxide prevents blood from carrying oxygen to the brain, causing hypoxia. Many news reports have documented deaths occurring this way, especially when the car is parked in a garage or underground parking lot where ventilation is poor, increasing the risk. Based on experience, this often happens when people take naps after fatigued driving or make mistakes while camping. For safety, avoid resting with the engine idling and the air conditioning on in an enclosed space. It’s better to find a ventilated area or simply step out of the car.
I've driven a lot and witnessed some tragedies. Once, a friend took a nap by the roadside with the air conditioning on and fell asleep. Carbon monoxide quietly seeped in, and he almost didn't wake up. The toxic fumes from the car's exhaust can enter the vehicle, and inhaling just a few breaths can be fatal, especially because the car's tight seal prevents proper ventilation. I find this extremely dangerous, particularly during hot weather when people seek coolness but forget the risks. The car's air conditioning relies on the engine running, and if parked in an unventilated area like a row of parking spaces or a narrow alley, the lack of air circulation causes carbon monoxide levels to skyrocket. People may unknowingly feel drowsy and fall asleep. I always remind those around me not to do this—it's better to rest in an open parking area or turn off the engine. No matter how comfortable the car is, it can't withstand the assault of toxic fumes. Life is precious.
From a health perspective, the direct cause of death when sleeping in a car with the air conditioning on is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide binds to red blood cells faster than oxygen, leading to oxygen deprivation in the body. Initially, a person may feel drowsy or have a headache, mistaking it for fatigue, before losing consciousness. In the enclosed environment of a car, CO from engine emissions accumulates rapidly, and when inhaled unknowingly during sleep, it can be fatal within minutes. Similar cases have occurred worldwide, with car owners mistakenly believing that air conditioning for cooling is safe, when in fact it poses hidden dangers. This gas is odorless, making it difficult to detect even with detectors. Every time I hear about such accident analyses, I'm reminded that prevention is paramount—never gamble with your life.
