UK motorists are being urged to think carefully about where they park their vehicles on Tuesday as temperatures continue to climb across much of the country. Forecasters are predicting an intense spell of hot weather this week, with some parts of England due to see temperatures rise into the mid and high 30s, reports Express.co.uk. The Met Office has issued an amber heat alert covering large areas of England, as well as a rare red warning for some places, with temperatures possibly reaching as high as 38C.
Why Driveway Parking Is a Problem
As the heat builds from Tuesday onwards, experts say drivers may want to avoid leaving their vehicles sitting in direct sunlight for long periods. Many motorists automatically leave their cars on driveways without thinking twice about it. But, most driveways in the UK receive direct sunlight for much of the day, particularly on newer housing estates where front gardens have been replaced by parking spaces. Unlike countries that regularly experience extreme heat, covered driveways and carports are still relatively uncommon across the country.
That's why motoring experts are advising drivers to move their vehicles into shaded areas whenever possible during the hottest part of the week. A car parked in direct sunlight can become far hotter than the temperature shown on the weather forecast.
The Greenhouse Effect Inside Your Car
Experts at Select Car Leasing explained that vehicles effectively act like greenhouses. Sunlight passes through the windows and heats surfaces inside the cabin, including seats, dashboards and steering wheels. That heat then becomes trapped inside the vehicle, causing temperatures to rise rapidly. According to the experts, on a day where temperatures reach around 25C, the inside of a vehicle can climb above 40C within just 30 minutes. With temperatures expected to be considerably higher than that in some parts of the country this week, conditions inside parked vehicles could become even more uncomfortable.
That's why moving a vehicle into the shade can make a big difference. Without direct sunlight constantly heating the glass and bodywork, the temperature inside the cabin tends to stay much closer to the temperature outside. This can make getting back into the vehicle later in the day far more comfortable.
Critical Advice for Electric Vehicle Owners
The advice is particularly important for electric vehicle owners. The AA says lithium-ion batteries perform best when temperatures remain between 20C and 25C. The organisation has advised drivers to keep electric vehicles out of direct sunlight whenever possible during periods of extreme heat. The AA 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."
Additional Tips to Keep Your Car Cool
There are also several other steps motorists can take to keep vehicles cooler. Experts recommend using reflective windscreen shades to block sunlight before it heats up the dashboard and interior. Drivers parked in safe locations may also benefit from leaving windows slightly open to allow some of the trapped hot air to escape. Before setting off, experts also suggest airing out the vehicle by opening the passenger-side window and repeatedly opening and closing the driver's door to help force hot air out of the cabin. When using air conditioning, directing the first blast of cool air through the footwell vents can also help push hot air upwards and out of the vehicle more quickly.
