Will a Phone Explode If Left in the Car Armrest Box?
2 Answers
Batteries can explode when left inside a car or exposed to high temperatures. Additional information is as follows: Impact of Temperature: Both high and low temperatures can reduce the performance of lithium batteries. Particularly under high-temperature conditions, significant heat fluctuations can occur internally, leading to safety incidents such as explosions. Temperature Limits and Maximum Tolerance: Lithium batteries generally have a temperature limit set between 40-60 degrees Celsius, and they are usually labeled with explosion-proof valves. High-temperature-resistant lithium batteries can withstand up to 800 degrees Celsius. In high-temperature resistance tests, standard lithium batteries are subjected to temperatures of 200, 500, and 800 degrees Celsius, but in everyday life, such extreme temperatures are rarely encountered.
As an experienced driver, I often casually toss my phone into the center console and have never encountered any explosion incidents. While overheating of phone batteries can indeed cause issues, the center console area generally has decent ventilation, making heat accumulation unlikely. The main source of high temperatures in a car comes from sun exposure. When parked outdoors in summer, the interior temperature can soar above 60°C, putting any electronic device at risk, not just phones. Lithium-ion batteries may experience thermal runaway under extreme heat, but this requires specific conditions such as battery aging or physical damage. During normal use, phones have safety protections that automatically cut off power in case of short circuits. So my advice is to avoid leaving your phone charging in a hot car, choose shaded parking spots, or use sunshades. Overall, the explosion risk is very low—no need for excessive worry—but developing good habits is safer.
