Beyond the Heat: The Dangers of the Sun on Your Car and Your Health This Summer

With the arrival of summer and rising temperatures, concerns about heat inside cars are constant. However, a new analysis reveals that sun exposure goes far beyond thermal discomfort, causing a series of harmful effects that directly impact the safety and health of occupants, and the efficiency of the vehicle. Most surprisingly, approximately 60% of the heat that enters the passenger compartment comes through the glass, especially the windshield.

When a car is parked in the sun on a hot day, the interior temperature can exceed 60°C, reaching 85°C on surfaces such as the dashboard.

This phenomenon, known as the "greenhouse effect," occurs because solar radiation, composed of infrared and visible light, easily penetrates through the windows, heats the interior, and is trapped, as the energy cannot escape as easily. Only 20-30% of the heat comes from the body, while the engine and battery (in electric vehicles) contribute less.

Beyond the unbearable heat, solar radiation poses a health risk. Most vehicles do not offer sufficient UV protection through their side windows. Cumulative exposure to these rays, which is especially high inside the car, is associated with 90% of skin cancers and has been shown to cause asymmetrical damage in regular drivers, affecting the exposed arm and side of the face more. Although some modern models now incorporate laminated windows that block these rays, in many other vehicles only the windshield offers this protection.

The sun's impact also extends to a vehicle's efficiency and sustainability. High interior temperatures force the air conditioning system to work harder, resulting in increased fuel consumption: 4.6% for diesel, 3.8% for gasoline, and up to 6.1% for hybrids, according to studies. Solutions such as laminated glass or installing special films on the rear windows can reflect up to 99% of infrared rays and block UV rays, allowing for more efficient use of air conditioning and, consequently, lower costs.

But the dangers of the sun don't end there. At the mechanical and structural level, high temperatures cause considerable stress on various vehicle components.

According to Carglass, windshields are more prone to breakage due to extreme temperature fluctuations; the paintwork suffers premature aging, as do the wiper blades, the rubber seals on the body, and the adhesives that secure the windshield. Internally, the battery, electronic components, and rubber hoses also see their lifespan affected by constant exposure to heat. Furthermore, at high temperatures, the materials inside and outside the car can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can also affect air quality.

Ultimately, the next time the sun beats down, it's key to remember that its effects go beyond a hot interior. Protecting your car from the sun not only increases comfort, but also contributes to safety, the health of occupants, and the durability of components, in addition to optimizing energy consumption.