Overheating is another factor to consider when charging your phone in the car with the engine off. That's because smartphones tend to generate heat while charging, especially if you're using them ...

If you’re using a USB car charger, avoid cheap or low-quality ones, as they can cause problems with your phone and the vehicle’s electrical system.” No damage done.

Once both ports are clean, plug your phone back into the car's USB and see if it starts charging. While all the USB ports in your car may look the same, that doesn't mean all work the same.

We've all done it: sitting in a car, engine idling, phone connected to the adapter, letting it charge before we get out. But is it safe to do so?