Will Alcohol in a Car Spontaneously Combust Under High Temperatures?
2 Answers
Alcohol left in a car can spontaneously combust under high temperatures. Here are the details: 1. Alcohol and Ethanol: Medical alcohol has a concentration of 75%, with an ignition point of 20 degrees Celsius. During summer, outdoor temperatures at noon can exceed 40 degrees Celsius. If the car is parked outdoors under direct sunlight, the interior temperature can rise above 50 degrees Celsius, significantly increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion or explosion of alcohol. 2. Warning: A car left under the sun for extended periods can become as hot as a steamer. Items such as perfumes, lighters, reading glasses, magnifying glasses, and electronic products like power banks should not be left in the car, as they may cause fires due to high temperatures. For example, the active ingredient in lighters is liquid butane, which can explode or combust under high summer temperatures, especially if subjected to impact. Similarly, perfume bottles can burst under high temperatures, posing safety hazards.
I remember last summer when my car was parked outdoors, the temperature inside soared to nearly 50 degrees Celsius under the scorching sun. A friend casually left half a bottle of wine on the front seat. I immediately warned him that the high temperature inside the car could easily cause the alcohol to evaporate into gas, which has an extremely low flash point—ethanol ignites at around 12 degrees Celsius. While there's no direct record of it spontaneously combusting, if the car is sealed and the vapor concentration builds up, even a small spark—like from a cigarette lighter being on or a short circuit in a phone charger—could cause a fire in no time. This is no joke; I've looked it up, and there have been similar reports in the U.S. of small fires caused by perfumes or alcoholic beverages. For safety's sake, never leave any alcohol in the car for long periods. Using a cooling bag or bringing it indoors is much more reliable.
