Will the trunk cool down when the car's air conditioning is on?
4 Answers
No, the trunk will not cool down when the car's air conditioning is on. Below is an introduction to the car's air conditioning system: Introduction: The car's air conditioning system consists of a compressor, condenser, throttle element, evaporator, fan, and necessary control components. Working principle: When the compressor operates, it sucks in low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator. After compression, the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant increase, and it is sent to the condenser. Inside the condenser, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant transfers heat to the outside air passing through the condenser, causing it to liquefy and turn into a liquid. When the liquid refrigerant flows through the throttle device, its temperature and pressure decrease, and it enters the evaporator.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've learned quite a few lessons. When the air conditioning is on, the cabin cools down quickly, but the trunk remains largely unaffected because I've noticed they're completely isolated with no connecting vents. The AC system is designed solely for cabin air circulation, with cold air blowing directly from the dashboard vents, while the trunk is an independent enclosed space where hot air accumulates and doesn't dissipate easily. One summer, I stored drinks in the trunk - after half an hour with the AC on, the cabin was cool but the trunk stayed hot, leaving all the sodas lukewarm. Some special car models might have rear AC vents that could slightly affect the trunk, but most regular vehicles don't. If you really need to keep the trunk cool, I recommend opening the lid for ventilation when parked or using a sunshade cover.
As a mother of two, I often go on road trips with food and drinks. Several times when the weather was hot, the cabin was comfortable with the air conditioning on, but as soon as I parked and opened the trunk, I could feel the high temperature inside, and the items were almost spoiled. The trunk is basically isolated from the air conditioning, so cold air can't get in, but the heat source persists. The reason is simple: car design prioritizes comfort in the passenger area, while the rear storage space isn't considered for cooling. Usually, I use a cooler for perishables or place them on the seats to avoid issues. On long drives, occasionally opening the trunk door for slight convection helps but has limited effect. The key lies in planning item placement to minimize heat impact.
I drive a regular family car, and from a mechanical perspective, the trunk doesn't cool down with the air conditioning on. The cabin has dedicated air conditioning vents and control modules, while the trunk is completely sealed without any connecting ducts. During driving, slow heat conduction and internal pressure imbalance render cooling ineffective. If the car has special exhaust vents, there might be a slight temperature drop, but generally, solutions like enhanced air conditioning or better external cooling are impractical.
