UK drivers urged to move cars off driveways before Tuesday

Drivers are being urged to think about where they park their cars before temperatures begin climbing again this week, with another spell of extreme heat expected to grip large parts of the UK. Forecasters say another heatwave could be declared as temperatures rise across England and parts of Wales following a brief cooler spell over the weekend. Highs could reach as much as 35C in some areas, while yellow heat health alerts have already been issued for several regions from Monday morning until Friday.

High pressure is forecast to build to the south of the UK, allowing temperatures to climb once again as warm air spreads in from mainland Europe. The hottest conditions are expected to develop across central and eastern England by Tuesday before spreading further north and west. Wednesday is currently forecast to be the hottest day of the week, with temperatures between 30C and 35C possible across much of England and east Wales.

With another period of intense heat on the way, motorists are being advised to avoid leaving their vehicles parked on uncovered driveways.

Many drivers routinely leave their cars on driveways without thinking twice, but most driveways in the UK receive direct sunshine for much of the day. This is especially true on newer housing estates, where front gardens have often been replaced by parking spaces.

Motoring experts at Select Car Leasing say moving a vehicle into a shaded area whenever possible can help stop it becoming dangerously hot inside.

They explained that cars effectively act like greenhouses. Sunlight passes through the windows and heats up seats, dashboards and steering wheels before the heat becomes trapped inside the cabin, causing temperatures to rise quickly.

According to the experts, when the outside temperature reaches around 25C, the inside of a parked vehicle can climb above 40C in just 30 minutes. With temperatures expected to be significantly higher than that in some parts of the country this week, conditions inside parked cars could become even more uncomfortable.

Parking in the shade helps reduce the amount of direct sunlight hitting the windows and bodywork, meaning the temperature inside the vehicle generally stays much closer to the air temperature outside.

That can make getting back into the car later in the day far more comfortable.

The advice is particularly important for owners of electric vehicles. The AA says lithium-ion batteries perform best when temperatures are between 20C and 25C.

The organisation said: “Extreme heat is best avoided in storage and in use. But in particular, it’s better to keep the vehicle out of direct heat when parked. The battery’s thermal management system will cause the batteries to be drained, as the system keeps the temperature down for optimum efficiency.”

Experts also recommend using reflective windscreen shades to stop the dashboard and interior from heating up in direct sunshine.

Before setting off, motorists can also open the passenger-side window while repeatedly opening and closing the driver’s door to help force hot air out of the cabin. When switching on the air conditioning, directing the first blast of cool air through the footwell vents can also help remove hot air more quickly.