Motorists are being urged to avoid parking their vehicles on open driveways as a new heatwave is set to sweep across the UK this week, with temperatures potentially soaring to 35C in some areas. The warning comes from motoring specialists at Select Car Leasing, who highlight that cars left in direct sunlight can become dangerously hot inside, posing risks to both occupants and the vehicle's components.
Heatwave Returns with Yellow Health Warnings
Weather forecasters predict that a fresh heatwave could be declared as the mercury rises across England and parts of Wales, following a brief cooler period over the weekend. Yellow heat health warnings have already been issued for multiple regions from Monday morning through to Friday. High pressure is expected to settle to the south of the UK, drawing warm air from continental Europe and causing temperatures to climb.
The most intense conditions are anticipated across central and eastern England by Tuesday, before spreading further north and west. Birmingham, in particular, is set to experience hot, dry, and sunny weather, with Wednesday forecast to be one of the warmest days of the week. Temperatures across most of England and eastern Wales are likely to range between 30C and 35C.
Cars Act Like Greenhouses in Direct Sunlight
Many drivers habitually park on driveways without a second thought, but the majority of UK driveways are exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. This is especially true on modern housing developments, where front gardens have often been converted into parking areas. Select Car Leasing experts explain that vehicles essentially function like greenhouses: sunlight penetrates through the windows, heating up seats, dashboards, and steering wheels, and the heat becomes trapped inside, causing temperatures to rise rapidly.
According to the experts, when the outside temperature reaches about 25C, the interior of a stationary car can exceed 40C in just 30 minutes. With temperatures forecast to be significantly higher this week, conditions inside parked cars could become even more extreme. Parking in shaded areas reduces the amount of direct sunlight hitting the windows and bodywork, keeping the interior closer to the outdoor air temperature and making it more bearable for drivers returning to their vehicles.
Important Advice for Electric Vehicle Owners
The guidance is especially critical for electric vehicle owners. The AA notes that lithium-ion batteries operate best at temperatures between 20C and 25C. The organisation stated: "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."
Specialists also recommend using reflective windscreen shades to prevent the dashboard and interior from heating up in direct sunlight. Before setting off, drivers can lower the passenger-side window while repeatedly opening and closing the driver's door to push hot air out of the vehicle. When activating the air conditioning, directing the initial burst of cool air through the footwell vents can help remove hot air more quickly, making the cabin comfortable sooner.
