During freezing temperatures, leaving certain items inside a car can lead to dangerous outcomes. This caution comes from Sergei Ponomarev, a technical instructor with the international Fit Service car service network, as reported by Rossiyskaya Gazeta. His guidance highlights practical steps owners should take to avoid costly damage and safety hazards in the coldest months.
Many liquids expand as they cool. When temperatures plunge, liquids contract but then expand as they approach their freezing point, turning into ice and increasing internal pressure. Packaging—whether plastic, glass, or metal—may not withstand this pressure. Containers can crack, burst, or even rupture. A seemingly harmless half-full bottle of water might not pose a risk, but full bottles, jars of homemade preserves sealed in glass, bottles of wine, or containers of household chemicals are far more prone to failure. These ruptures can scatter their contents and create a mess, or worse, trigger leaks that cause additional hazards in the vehicle. Ponomarev notes that cold accelerates this process, pushing more liquids toward expansion and increasing the chance of a dramatic failure in the bottle or container.
The same principle applies to aerosols stored in the car. Aerosol cans and similar pressurized containers can rupture under extreme cold as the internal pressure shifts with temperature changes. For car owners, this means a risk not just of a mess but of potential chemical exposure or combustion risk if the contents come into contact with hot surfaces or sparks inside the vehicle. The practical takeaway is simple: avoid leaving any pressurized or liquid-filled containers in a car when temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.
Smartphones, laptops, and tablets should not be left in the cabin either. Battery performance deteriorates rapidly in cold weather. Cold conditions can cause rapid discharge and can shorten the overall lifespan of a battery. This is not solely a matter of temporary power loss; repeated exposure to freezing temperatures can reduce a battery’s long-term capacity and reliability, increasing the likelihood of device failure when it is needed most. For drivers who rely on navigation, communication, or vehicle diagnostics, this is a meaningful risk—especially in regions where winter driving demands high device uptime.
As the winter season has progressed, there has been a noticeable uptick in demand for routine car repairs and maintenance. Since early 2024, service centers report a rise in calls related to cars that would not start or run poorly after being exposed to cold conditions. Car owners also come in for replacements of rubber components that become stiff or brittle due to temperature shifts, such as seals, belts, and gaskets. Electrical and electronic components that are sensitive to extreme cold, including sensors and connectors, also see increased service requests during prolonged freezing periods. These trends underscore the importance of winter readiness and proactive checks to minimize disruptions caused by cold weather.
Additionally, service centers have observed a rise in the overall cost of car maintenance during the season. Price increases in Russia have been reported, with customers noting higher charges for common winter-related repairs and replacements. While these changes reflect broader market dynamics, they also reinforce the value of preventive care and careful planning before the coldest days arrive. Keeping storage items secure, protecting electronic devices, and ensuring that car systems are well-maintained can help reduce the need for emergency visits and keep vehicles running smoothly in harsh winter conditions. These considerations are supported by industry observations gathered by service networks and summarized in regional reports for car owners and technicians alike.