How do different parking surfaces affect a car? There are sites that only permit parking on the grass or gravel surface with the driveway either grass or gravel also. I am concerned about the underside of the car being damaged and the tires getting stuck if there is unknown mud. I drive a Honda Civic with 16 inch wheels. Thanks.
It depends on how you park your car and how long it's staying there for. If you park straight and leave it there for an hour or two, you'll be fine. If you were to park your car and let it sit for a week or more, then it could turn into a problem.
It would be parked a maximum of eight hours.
That would be ok. I would also check underneath before driving to be safe.
I wouldn't worry about gravel, but soil can soften in the rain causing you to sink or slip.
I presume you won't be the only one there.... look for skid marks.
If the lot is on an incline, try to park near the top.
Surfaces suitable/intended for parking are usually level and well compacted. Getting stuck can happen but is uncommon. But beware of parking your hot exhaust over long, dry grass. Very common way of starting grass fires.
Just make sure you aren't parking where some work truck spilled nails, etc you can't see. If I'm parking somewhere I can't see clearly I'll get out & check to be sure as I've had some flats doing otherwise.
I know you said you'll only be there eight hours but try to avoid repeatedly parking where moisture will be covering your undercarriage. If under trees, expect mold/moss to grow unless you wash it frequently.
Lastly in regards to mud, always keep to traction "plates" about as wide as your tire in your truck, no need to be longer than say 24". It can be anything from cut up milkcrates to sheet metal with a "louvered" surface. When stuck, just jam those between the rubber & whatever you're stuck in, you'll come right out.
Or floor mats, in a pinch.
Never thought of that one, although my floormats are so beat up who knows if they'll turn to dust.
I keep meaning to get replacements but then I see $50 for basic slip & slide ones with no catchment. I saw some "hustler" brand ones on a cold war motors video, been hunting those down for close to a year.