A mass-balance indoor particle dynamic model was adopted and modified to investigate how on-roadway ultrafine particle (UFP, diameter < 100 nm) concentrations and vehicle ventilation settings affect UFP levels inside vehicles. The model was first parameterized focusing on a mechanistic, simulation-based interpretation of in-cabin data reported in Zhu et al. Under condition (3), the effects of penetration factor, deposition coefficient, and vehicle speed were comparable. The modeled I/O ratio was inversely proportional to the airflow rate from mechanical ventilation in the whole range (0-360 m 3 h −1 ) with 10-20% influence depending on the particle size.