It is perfectly safe to sleep in your car with windows rolled up if your engine is not running. Also, if the weather conditions outside are not extreme, you can soundly sleep in your car without leaving a crack open for air circulation.
Several scenarios need you to park in a safe spot and just crash in your car. That is where you might want to find out if it is safe to sleep in the car with windows closed.
Truck drivers, homeless folks, long-distance travelers, van lifers, and RV owners sleep in their vehicles pretty often. So, you can find comfort in the fact that if the need arises, you can doze off in your car without any worries – it may be stuffy but is not hazardous as such.
This article aims to cover a few FAQs you might have if you need to sleep in your car in the future. We will discuss different scenarios and a few important things to consider that your life could depend on.
How long can you stay in a car with your windows closed?
If your car engine is off and the temperature outside isn’t dangerously hot or cold, you can stay in the car with windows up for however long you need.
The usual concern here is oxygen deprivation. A regular car holds more air than you’ll need to breathe for days. Also, not even the fanciest cars are 100% air-tight – meaning the air will still circulate even with the windows closed.
However, if the temperature outside is extremely hot, you’ll need to open a crack in your windows to let the heat from your body escape. Similarly, in subzero temperatures, your body heat could trap moisture within the car resulting in an even colder car interior. So, it is better to roll down the window a bit.
Is it riskier if more people are sleeping in the car with me?
Scientifically, you will run out of breathable oxygen if you have about nine people in an average-sized car with you. But that is usually not a concern since most cars/vans cannot hold so many people.
The maximum number of people you can stuff in your sedan is four, five tops. And there is enough oxygen in the car for all of them for a night’s sleep.
Also, it is noteworthy that out of the air we breathe in, we use only 21% of oxygen. The rest is exhaled out to the atmosphere and is reused for our next breaths. So it is highly unlikely to run out of oxygen in a car.
Can you suffocate in a car with the windows closed?
Yes and no. Yes, when your engine is running and producing poisonous carbon monoxide. And no, if the engine is off.
There isn’t a vehicle available to the general public that is completely sealed. There are always a few creaks left open that let air circulate in and out. Besides, no car manufacturer would want to take the blame for someone suffocating to death in their cars.
However, a running engine is a potential threat. There are several harmful gases that an engine excretes – the most poisonous is carbon monoxide. Always turn your engine off to prevent these fumes from accumulating in your passenger cabin.
Can I sleep in the car with AC on and windows closed?
It is risky to sleep in the car with AC on and windows closed. Turning on your AC would mean leaving your engine running, which could lead to carbon monoxide building up in the vehicle.
Carbon monoxide is a fatal gas that causes fatigue and then death. It is excreted from the car’s engine as a byproduct of fuel combustion.
To keep the AC running, you’ll have to turn on your engine. Thus, carbon monoxide will constantly emit and enter the passenger cabin via the exhaust.
If you need air conditioning, it is best to use it intermittently – opening the windows after every while. Alternatively, leave a little crack open in one or two windows to let the air flow.
How to safely sleep with your windows closed?
There are a few tricks and tricks that could help you get a safe and sound sleep in the backseat of your car.
1. Park in a safe spot
The number one threat you will most likely face while sleeping in your car is, sadly, humans. If you are parked in a Walmart parking lot at 3 in the morning, there is no telling what you could face.
Always look for a safe rest area with security guards or a camera. Truck stations, a well-lit street, or a busy neighborhood are suitable too. Make sure your vehicle is properly visible from a distance to avoid getting hit by another car.
Keep the doors locked, windows rolled up, and the engine off. Moreover, you could also get pepper spray from Amazon or a licensed pistol for any misfortunate incidents.
2. Invest in fans for hot weather
The temperature can quickly climb up inside the car when parked under the scorching sun. It is especially true if you are in the middle of a heatwave or traveling during May, June, or July.
Investing in a clip-on fan for air ventilation is a good idea. You can find hundreds of those online. They are small, so they won’t necessarily blow cool air in your face but are handy for circulating hot air out of your vehicle.
3. Get sleeping bags and blankets for cold weather
If you need to take a nap in your car somewhere cold, it is better to spend a few bucks and get a sleeping bag and blankets to keep you warm at night.
Also, make sure you are dressed for the weather. Keep gloves, caps, sweaters, and socks available.
4. Buy an air mattress for increased comfort
Cars are nowhere near as comfortable as our beds. You will be sore in the morning due to an awkward sleeping position and uneven seats.
An air mattress could be a game-changer. You can look for a size that fits in your car and will keep you comfortable all night.
5. Use a carbon monoxide detector if you are sleeping with your car on
A carbon monoxide detector is another fancy gadget that could help you get a safe sleep in your car with windows closed. You can find one easily on Amazon.
Use it when you sleep in your car with your engine running. It could be when you need air conditioning or when you accidentally fall asleep without turning off the car’s ignition. The detector will alarm you when the carbon monoxide concentration builds up within the vehicle.
Conclusion
Sleeping in a car with the windows closed can be safe or dangerous, depending on a few conditions.
First, it is perfectly safe if the engine is not running. A hot engine emits carbon monoxide – a hazardous gas that could kill you if it accumulates in the car.
Second, if the weather conditions are not extreme, closing your windows to rest in the car should not be a problem. However, it is best to leave a crack open in extreme temperatures to prevent heat strokes or hypothermia.
Last, if you are an avid traveler or have a lifestyle that requires snoozing in the car often, try getting your hands on a few handy products that could make your life easy.
Pepper spray for safety, fans for summers, sleeping bags and blankets for winters, and air mattresses and carbon monoxide detectors can be very worthwhile on a road trip.
