Drivers across the UK are being warned to avoid parking their cars on open driveways this weekend, as a new wave of warm weather brings a surge in vehicle-related heat issues, from exploding drinks to damaged driveways.
Following last week’s “mini-heatwave” and with the Met Office forecsting a heatwave over the coming daysthat could send tempertures soaring to as high as 30C, car experts are urging drivers to park in shaded areas or inside garages to avoid the worst of the heat. One driver recently learned this the hard way after fizzy drinks exploded inside their vehicle, which had been parked in full sun on their driveway. Experts from Scrap Car Comparison are encouraging people to clear out cluttered garages to make room for their vehicles, warning that direct sunlight can cause extensive damage both inside and outside the car.
“If you’re lucky enough to own a garage, it’s absolutely worth clearing out the bits and bobs… so you can park your vehicle inside, away from the harmful rays of the sun,” they advised.
Even without a garage, they suggest parking under tree cover or shaded structures, though they do acknowledge that these spots may be scarce.
“Cool parking spaces will be hard to come by. Unless they’re on the far side of a car park or under a tree filled with pigeons… do we need to explain why?”
The RAC echoed the advice, noting that parking in the shade “is one easy way to prevent your car heating up.”
They also recommend small hacks like shutting upper vents while the air conditioning runs, then closing windows once the cabin cools, a technique that saves fuel and reduces strain on the vehicle’s system.
But it’s not just the cars at risk. Experts say that driveways made of asphalt can also suffer in extreme heat.
According to Hicks Paving, prolonged exposure to high temperatures causes the binder in asphalt to dry out, making it brittle and more prone to cracking and potholes, especially under the weight of a vehicle.
“Asphalt naturally expands and contracts with temperature, but in intense summer heat, it can expand too much,” the company warns. This can eventually lead to permanent surface damage and costly repairs.