Why Your Car Needs a Carbon Monoxide Detector: Don’t Let Hidden Danger Ride Shotgun

You’re singing along to your favorite road trip songs with the windows cracked a little and thinking about where you’re going. But who is really hiding in your carbon monoxide detector for car. Most individuals only think about this as a risk at home, if they think about it at all. Not many drivers know that a little exhaust leak or broken heater might make them breathe in CO while driving.

You might wonder, “Isn’t this only a problem for old cars?” Nope. Even cars that are only a few years old can have problems with their catalytic converters or microscopic breaks in their exhaust pipes. Spoiler alert: carbon monoxide has no smell. Your nose won’t help you. A headache or, worse, someone passing out could be the only indicator that something is wrong. Oh no.

That’s why it’s so important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your car. These days, portable CO detectors are small enough to fit in a visor, under a seat, or in a cupholder. You don’t need to be an expert at installing things. Some make noise, some flash, and others even vibrate your phone. Choose what fits your style, but make sure it has new batteries.

People often say to themselves, “I’m safe because I have fans on.” Nope. It’s actually dangerous to leave your car running with the AC on or to warm it up in a locked garage. CO builds up quickly, especially in small places. A detector gives you a real-time warning, like a backseat driver who really cares about your safety.

A friend of mine, who we’ll name Pete, says to do it. Pete thought he was ready for winter. New tires and wipers. The heater was on, but he had been smelling something strange and pleasant. Didn’t pay attention to it. Three minutes after he got on the freeway, his CO detector started to go off. He walked out and called the store. A little leak can save a lot. Whenever someone rolls their eyes at “another gadget,” Pete tells that story.

Choose a car detector; the little ones for the home aren’t made to handle vibrations or big temperature changes (plus, let’s be honest, they look silly on a dashboard). Search for digital displays and an alert that is loud and clear. Put it somewhere you’ll hear it, and maybe change the batteries at the same time you change the clock. If you forget to check that detector, it’s like playing chess with a pigeon: the game will end badly.

No one wants a joyride to be ruined by something that could have been avoided. You don’t just drive carefully with a reliable detector; you’re also the cool, prepared driver that everyone wants in their carpool. You may laugh off false alarms, but you can’t laugh off carbon monoxide. So don’t let it go for free.