Unexpected effects of falling leaves on cars
Experts recommend that drivers should avoid parking under trees, because falling leaves can cause unexpected damage to cars.
Damage exterior paint
They may seem delicate and light, but when they fall directly onto the roof or hood of a car, leaves can cause very small scratches. These scratches can eventually allow water to penetrate and cause rust.
Worse still, the leaves can contain sap, which is a natural enemy of car paint. When the leaves get wet, the acid in the sap can damage the car’s exterior clear coat.
Fall weather, characterized by hot days and cold nights, makes matters worse. The constant temperature changes throughout the day cause the metal parts underneath the paint to expand, allowing acids to eat through the paint and cause further damage.
Impact on air conditioning system
Leaf debris can get caught in small cracks and crevices in your car. These small pieces can eventually find their way into the air conditioning system’s air intake, clogging the air filter and blocking the flow of air into the car.
Over time, this will cause problems with the air conditioning system. Not only that, when the leaves rot, mold will begin to appear, causing an unpleasant odor in the interior.
Cause water leakage
Decaying leaves, combined with dirt, can clog the drain holes in your car, such as around the sunroof. This can cause rainwater to seep into the car and damage the interior. Even a clogged wiper drain can cause rainwater to seep into the engine compartment and cause damage to this important part.
Damaged windshield
Fallen leaves can get stuck under the wiper blades and dry out. If the driver is not careful, the dried leaves can scratch the windshield.
Increased risk of accidents
Wet leaves make the road as slippery as snow and ice. Therefore, when driving on roads covered with wet leaves, the driver will have more difficulty controlling the vehicle. In addition, fallen leaves also prevent the driver from seeing sidewalks, potholes, road markings or obstacles, causing traffic safety risks.
How to clean fallen leaves from your car
When cleaning leaves from your car, you should be careful. If there are not many leaves, you should pick them up by hand. If you use a leaf blower, you should choose a gentle blowing mode. With a strong blowing mode, leaves can get stuck in places that are difficult to reach and remove.
When unclogging the drain around the sunroof area, some people use a metal coat hanger to remove leaf debris from inside. However, this can damage the lining of the sunroof. Instead, use a vacuum cleaner to suck the leaves out.
Next, pop the hood to clear the leaves from near the base of the windshield. This is where the air conditioning vent is located. Then, wash the car thoroughly.
For areas of sap, wipe gently with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or a specialized solution. However, before using a specialized sap removal solution, you should test it on a small area of the exterior first to ensure paint safety.
How to avoid the harmful effects of falling leaves
To protect your exterior paint from the damaging effects of falling leaves, you can have your car waxed seasonally. If you cannot avoid parking under a tree, use a car cover. Use a good quality cover with multiple layers. The reason is that a cheap, single-layer cover will put your car at risk of being stuffy or scratching the paint during use.
Also, increase the distance from the vehicle in front when driving on roads covered with wet leaves.