The short answer
You should not. On a sunny 90-degree day on the Gulf Coast, the inside of a closed car can climb past 130°F within an hour, and a dashboard or seat in direct sun gets hotter still. Many lithium-ion cells used in vapes are rated for use only up to about 140°F (60°C). Above that, the battery degrades quickly and, if it is damaged or poor quality, can vent or catch fire.
What heat does
- To batteries: shorter life, swelling, and in the worst case thermal runaway.
- To e-liquid: it thins out and expands, which makes tanks and pods leak, and it can change the flavor.
- To disposables: the same battery risks, with no way to swap the cell.
Warning signs
Stop using a device or battery and bring it to a store if you notice:
- A swollen or bulging body or battery
- A torn or nicked battery wrap
- The device gets hot when it is not firing
- A hissing sound or a chemical smell
Summer storage tips
- Take your vape with you when you leave the car.
- If you must leave it, put it in the glove box or a bag on the floor, out of the sun. Never on the dash.
- Do not charge a device in a hot car.
- Let a hot device cool down before you charge it.
- Carry spare batteries in a plastic case, never loose in a pocket or bag.
- At the beach, keep it in a shaded bag, not on the sand.
Buy batteries from a vape shop
Rewrapped and counterfeit 18650 and 21700 cells are common online and at gas stations. Our stores sell batteries, chargers and cases, and staff will check a battery wrap for you for free.
Vape battery heat questions
Can a vape explode in a hot car?
It is rare, but heat stresses lithium-ion batteries, and a damaged or low-quality battery can vent or catch fire. Do not leave a vape in a hot car.
Why is my vape battery getting hot?
A device should be warm at most. If it gets hot when you are not using it, stop using it and have it checked.
Does heat ruin vape juice?
Heat thins e-liquid and can make tanks leak and flavors change. Store it somewhere cool and dark.