How long can you stay in a closed car?

0 votes
asked Oct 6 in Other-Cars/Transportation by Irenecaniano (680 points)
How long can you stay in a closed car?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Oct 6 by 15thgear (35,410 points)
You can stay in a closed car for 8 hours to 12 hours as long as the temperature is not too cold or not too hot.

In hot weather the temperatures in the closed car without the AC going can reach high and deadly temperatures in minutes and can result in death if you don't get out of the closed car.

On average it takes around 12 days for an adult to run out of oxygen in a fully sealed car and so as long as you're not too hot or too cold you can safely sleep in the car overnight even with the windows closed.

In cooler weather you can stay in a sealed car for hours, because cars are not completely airtight, which ensures enough oxygen for one or more occupants of the car.

It is safe to sleep in a car with the engine off, although it's best to crack a window if possible to allow some ventilation.

Although if you need too you can sleep in a car with the windows closed as long as the engine is off and not running.

If it's cold out and you need heat you can run the engine for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to get the car warm and then turn the engine back off.

Always keep the engine off when asleep and never allow the engine to run when sleeping and if there is snow that could be blocking the tailpipe, make sure that any snow is away from the tailpipe and not blocking it.

If snow or something else is blocking the tailpipe it can cause the exhaust fumes to buildup under the car and inside the car and lead to death.

When sleeping in a car it's best to crack the windows or at least once window for a bit of ventilation.

Although of course if it's cold out you may need to close the windows.

If it's hot out you should always have the windows rolled down and park in the shade if possible as the inside of cars and vehicles can easily reach deadly temperatures when it's hot out.

114,167 questions

124,939 answers

1,375 comments

7,059,696 users

...