Will a Car Get Damaged If Exposed to Sunlight for a Month?
4 Answers
Exposing a car to sunlight for a month will not cause it to break down. With decades or even a century of development, automotive quality is highly reliable. The car's paint undergoes high-temperature baking at hundreds of degrees Celsius before leaving the factory, and the engine operates normally at temperatures between 85-105°C, so it can withstand summer heat. However, prolonged exposure to sunlight can still cause several adverse effects. Below are the hazards of prolonged sun exposure to a car: 1. Interior aging: High temperatures cause plastic dashboards and leather seats to release harmful gases like formaldehyde, resulting in a pungent odor inside the car. 2. Paint fading and aging: Although car paint is heat-resistant, intense UV radiation can cause it to age and fade, similar to how white car paint turns yellow over time. 3. Weatherstrip aging: Rubber seals harden and lose elasticity after prolonged sun exposure, increasing the risk of cracking, which reduces the car's sealing performance, affecting waterproofing and sound insulation. 4. Tire blowouts: Car tires, also made of rubber, are exposed to road temperatures much higher than the ambient air. Prolonged high temperatures can cause cracking and bulging, significantly shortening tire lifespan. 5. Increased risk factors: Items like lighters, perfumes, or vacuum-sealed containers left inside the car can explode under sunlight, posing risks to personal safety and property.
Honestly, leaving a car exposed to the sun for a month can be really damaging. I once saw a friend's car parked in an outdoor airport parking lot for an entire summer, and it was heartbreaking when he retrieved it. Not only did the paint fade, but the most obvious issue was the cracked windshield sealant, which started leaking. The steering wheel and seats became stiff and peeled from the heat, almost too hot to touch. Rubber components suffer the most under direct sunlight—wiper blades warp and can't clean properly, tire pressure rises increasing the risk of blowouts. For long-term parking, it's advisable to at least use a car cover, leave the windows slightly cracked for ventilation, and lift the wiper blades to prevent them from sticking to the glass. Even bottled water left in the trunk turned lukewarm, let alone cosmetics or power banks—they might have even exploded!
Last time I went on a business trip to Hainan, I parked my car outdoors for a month and a half. When I came back, I found the plastic trim on the dashboard had actually warped. The mechanic said the interior plastics release plasticizers under high temperatures, making them brittle and crack over time. The most frustrating part was the leather seats, which developed several cracks from sun exposure, costing thousands to repair. By the way, prolonged exposure to the sun also doubles the release of formaldehyde inside the car—the smell when you first get in is so strong it gives you a headache. The electronics didn’t fare well either—the edges of the infotainment screen turned yellow, and the dashcam battery swelled up and died. It’s recommended to use a reflective sunshade on the windshield and cover the dashboard with a linen cloth when parking.
Personal experience: Last summer, I left my old car parked at a construction site without driving it for a month. Later, I found the windshield washer nozzles clogged—turns out the antifreeze had evaporated, leaving crystallized residue. The mechanic also found that the engine's sealing rings had dried out and shrunk, causing oil leaks, and the headlight covers had yellowed and cracked. Surprisingly, the lubricant in the door lock cylinders had dried up from the heat, making the key scrape when inserted. The wiring aged faster too, and the power windows suddenly slowed down. My advice: before long-term parking, fill up the tank to prevent rust in an empty fuel tank, park under shade if possible, and start the car every ten days to recharge the battery. Also, set the AC to external circulation to avoid rapid mold growth inside the car.
