I have personally committed the crime of disposing of a disposable vape into the center console of my car while in a hurry. And I was not alone. I quickly realized that the first thing my hand would touch upon entering my car again would be the warm to extremely hot plastic and metal tube that made up my disposable vape.
This mild panic is a natural response to an imminent danger. So, the issue here is not just about the inconvenience, it is about safety. Using a combination of my own experiences, along with research of the products themselves, I have come to a conclusive yes – disposable vapes and cars are not meant to be left together unattended in a hot environment.
Why Heat is a Disposable Vape's Worst Enemy
In order to truly appreciate the potential dangers of leaving a disposable vape in a hot car, you must first understand what makes up a disposable vape. A disposable vape is essentially a self-contained unit, consisting of three distinct main components: the lithium-ion battery, the e-liquid tank, and the coil and wick assembly. All three of these component parts have a very narrow window of tolerance regarding the maximum allowable heat exposure.
The Volatile Nature of the Battery
The largest element of concern in terms of potential danger is the battery. Lithium-ion batteries are not the ordinary AA batteries you are used to buying. They are powerful, compact lithium-ion cells. The internal chemistry of lithium-ion batteries is very temperature-sensitive. Specifically, lithium-ion batteries operate best in a relatively narrow temperature band — between 32° F (0° C) and 113° F (45° C). On a sunny day, a car can easily heat up to the point where the interior reaches temperatures of 130° F, 150° F, and in some cases, much hotter, in a matter of minutes. Thus, the extreme heat from the sun can create a tremendous amount of stress on the internal chemistry of a lithium-ion battery. I have personally witnessed the outcome of a vape being left in a car and heated to the point where it felt like holding onto something burning. When I took a pull on the vape, the flavor was ruined, and I could tell that the internal components had been damaged.
The E-Liquid's Reaction to Heat
The e-liquid, or vape juice, is also highly sensitive to heat. The e-liquid is generally a mixture of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavors, and in many cases, nicotine. Heat will cause the PG and VG to thin out, resulting in potential leakages. More critical, however, is that excessive heat will degrade the nicotine and the flavor compounds, thus rendering the vape less desirable to use than when it was purchased, and potentially more dangerous. The burnt taste I experienced from my vape was not just caused by the coils; the e-liquid had likely already broken down due to the heat, thereby creating a less palatable and potentially more hazardous vape.
The Step-by-Step Guide to What Happens in a Hot Car
Below is a step-by-step explanation of the sequence of events that occurs after a person leaves their vape in a car and returns to it on a hot day:
First Stage – Internal Pressure Begins to Build
When the temperature rises in the car, the initial event that occurs is the buildup of internal pressure inside the device. The air and e-liquid inside the device begin to expand. Although this may seem like nothing to worry about, it can be the beginning of a series of events that ultimately lead to serious consequences. As the internal pressure builds, you may begin to see a small amount of leakage around the mouthpiece or at the base of the device. This is the first indicator that the internal balance of the device has been upset.
Second Stage – Stressed Battery Enters Thermal Runaway
At this point, things begin to escalate rapidly. The internal pressure continues to build until the stressed lithium-ion battery begins to overheat. At this point, the battery enters a phase known as "thermal runaway." Thermal runaway is a self-sustaining, uncontrolled increase in temperature and pressure within the battery cell. This can lead to the release of hot, toxic gases from the battery vents, or in the worst case scenario, the battery can catch fire or explode. It is not just hypothetical; there are documented cases of electronic devices, including vapes, starting car fires due to this exact type of thermal runaway.
Third Stage – Permanent Damage
While the device does not enter the stage of catastrophic failure, the damage to the device will be permanent. The delicate coil inside the device will be damaged beyond repair due to the extreme heat. The coil will be either melted or oxidized, making it impossible to produce usable vapor. The e-liquid inside the device will also be damaged beyond use. Upon returning to the car, you will be left with a completely useless device that will not only fail to produce usable vapor, but will also produce a nasty, burnt-tasting vapor that is not only unpleasant to inhale, but potentially more hazardous to your health.
Practical Solutions: Protecting Your Device and Yourself
Fortunately, taking measures to prevent these potential hazards is quite easy. All you need to do is develop a slightly different habit when using your disposable vape. Treat your disposable vape with the same level of care that you would treat your smart phone or your car keys.
Your Go-To Vape Safety Protocol
My personal plan for safeguarding my device is to always carry my vape with me, and never leave it in the car. My rule is simply to take it with me whenever I leave the car. I carry it in my pocket or in my bag. It is a habit as natural as locking the doors. However, if I absolutely cannot take it with me, I store it in the glove box or in the center console of the car. Both of these locations receive warmth, but are protected from the direct sunlight and therefore heat up more slowly than the rest of the car.
What to Do If You've Left It in the Heat
If you return to your car and find that it has overheated and your vape is now extremely hot, do not use it. Let it cool down to room temperature on its own. Do not attempt to speed up the cooling process by placing it in the refrigerator or freezer. Placing the device in either a cold refrigerator or freezer can cause the rapid change in temperature to cause condensation inside the device. The water droplets will cause electrical short circuits in the device, or possibly damage to the coil. After it has cooled down to room temperature, carefully examine it for any evidence of leakage, swelling, or other damage. If any of these conditions exist, or if the vape tastes strongly of burnt e-liquid, it is time to discard the vape responsibly. Any cost associated with purchasing a new vape is well worth the expense to protect your safety.
Conclusion – A Safe Habit
Disposable vapes are an excellent product, but despite their convenience, the various sophisticated components contained within them require care and handling. Properly caring for your disposable vape is a basic safety precaution. The interior of a parked car is perhaps the least hospitable environment for your disposable vape. Establishing a safe habit of never leaving your vape in a parked car protects not only your vape, but also your car, and most importantly, your own safety. I developed this habit based on a moment of panic, and it has since become second nature to me.