These Things Should Not Be Left in the Car During Winter

When temperatures drop below freezing in winter, it quickly becomes cold inside parked cars as well. To prevent damage to items in the car or the vehicle itself, certain things should not be left in the vehicle during winter, recommends ARBÖ Niederösterreich. This is because the interior temperature of the vehicle quickly matches the outside temperature when the engine is off and the heater is not running.

Electronic Devices and Batteries

Devices with batteries such as smartphones, laptops, or tablets contain sensitive electronic components as well as lithium-ion batteries. In frost, the batteries lose their efficiency because the movement of ions slows down. If they are exposed to the cold for a long time, there is a risk of deep discharge, which can shorten the lifespan of the batteries. Circuit boards and displays in technical devices also react sensitively to temperature differences and sub-zero temperatures and can break.

Drinks, Liquids, and Food

Water expands when it freezes, which can cause glass or metal beverage bottles and cans to burst or crack. Therefore, these and other liquids such as lotions or cleaning agents with a high water content should be removed from the car.

Food should also generally not be stored in the car for extended periods during the cold season. Canned goods, for example, are not winter-proof. If the contents freeze, they expand and can damage the metal casing. The result is a leak in the can, which can ultimately lead to contamination in the car.

Medications

Medications can also react to temperature fluctuations. In freezing temperatures, active ingredients can change, causing medications to lose their effectiveness. Tablets and liquid medications should therefore not be stored in a stationary vehicle without heating for several hours.

Wooden Objects

Wood contracts slightly in the cold. Musical instruments, toys, and furniture can develop small cracks or become deformed. Instruments like guitars or violins are particularly sensitive to extreme cold exposure. If damage occurs, it can permanently affect the sound.

Living Beings in the Vehicle

Even though it should be obvious: Children or animals should never be left in the car during winter, as a vehicle cools down very quickly, which can lead to hypothermia and, in extreme cases, become life-threatening. Therefore, children and animals must always be taken out of the car, even during short stops.

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