What Is Car Sex?

Medically Reviewed by Sabrina Felson, MD on December 04, 2022
2 min read

Car sex is simply any sex act that takes place in a car. There are a number of reasons why people may try it: a lack of privacy where they live, a fetish, or curiosity. Car sex can involve a number of complicating factors, such as constricted space and a lack of privacy. However, it can also be safe and fun.

If you’re going to give it a try, you need to find a safe place to park -- somewhere private and on level ground. Make sure the car is turned off. 

You should also take space limitations into account. It’s likely that the car you’re planning to have sex in doesn’t have a lot of free space. Wear clothing that is easy to take off and put back on, so you can change quickly even in a tight space. 

Be sure to bring your preferred form of STD prevention with you. If birth control is a concern, bring contraception as well.

Some might say that car sex is risky. First and foremost, you should be respectful of other people and of local laws. Many car windows offer minimal privacy, so you may be visible from outside the car. Park your car in a garage or some other place where you can be certain other people will not accidentally see you. This helps protect your privacy and minimizes the risk of being exposed to others. 

Next, you need to make sure that the car will stay put while you are otherwise occupied. Make sure that the car is turned off entirely, the parking brake is on, and never park on an incline. YNever have sex in the front seat of a car; there, you risk accidentally bumping the car into neutral. Instead, move to the back seat for safety’s sake. These precautions help keep the car from rolling away while you’re distracted. 

In some cases, car sex is used as an outlet for exhibitionism — getting aroused when other people see you having sex. Exhibitionism can cause significant distress for the unsuspecting people who witness it, and may have negative consequences for the person doing it both emotionally and legally. 

If you find that you’re engaging in car sex that’s risky or affecting others negatively, you may want to take a step back and evaluate your behavior.