Autumn foliage may damage your vehicle
The fall season is many Americans' favorite time of year, as the leaves changing colors and falling makes for a beautiful scene in many areas of the country. But some drivers may not be aware that the accumulation of fallen leaves on their vehicles can lead to costly problems down the road.
To begin, leaves can cause damage to the exterior of your car if left in place for a long period of time. Paint damage and rust are commonly caused by accumulated leaves that have not been cleared off, according to the Washington Post. The acid in leaves, combined with dampness or rain in the air and sunlight can cause the shape and feature of leaves to burn into your car, which eventually results in paint damage, the Post reports. This type of paint damage is permanent.
In addition to paint damage, leaves that become trapped in the openings or crevices of your vehicle may absorb water over time, which causes them to attach to the metal of your car, the newspaper explains. As this buildup becomes more solid and combines with other bits of dirt and grime, rust may develop in your vehicle.
In more serious cases, leaf build-up may clog different drains in your vehicle, such as the heating or air conditioning units. Leaves can get sucked into these drains while you're driving and eventually develop into a thick sludge that becomes a plug in your drains, the Post reports.
Proper auto care
Leaf damage is not a topic many drivers think about frequently until it has caused damage to their cars. But keeping your vehicle free from debris is as important as other auto maintenance issues, such as changing your oils and checking your tire pressure.
During months when leaf accumulation is at its highest, make sure to hose off your vehicle habitually to wash away debris. You can also prevent damage to your car by keeping it covered or parked in a garage when you're not driving it. Lastly, when your car is covered with leaves after a rainy day, wipe them off immediately to avoid stains. Remember to pull them up delicately rather than brushing them off, the latter of which may scratch your paint.
To begin, leaves can cause damage to the exterior of your car if left in place for a long period of time. Paint damage and rust are commonly caused by accumulated leaves that have not been cleared off, according to the Washington Post. The acid in leaves, combined with dampness or rain in the air and sunlight can cause the shape and feature of leaves to burn into your car, which eventually results in paint damage, the Post reports. This type of paint damage is permanent.
In addition to paint damage, leaves that become trapped in the openings or crevices of your vehicle may absorb water over time, which causes them to attach to the metal of your car, the newspaper explains. As this buildup becomes more solid and combines with other bits of dirt and grime, rust may develop in your vehicle.
In more serious cases, leaf build-up may clog different drains in your vehicle, such as the heating or air conditioning units. Leaves can get sucked into these drains while you're driving and eventually develop into a thick sludge that becomes a plug in your drains, the Post reports.
Proper auto care
Leaf damage is not a topic many drivers think about frequently until it has caused damage to their cars. But keeping your vehicle free from debris is as important as other auto maintenance issues, such as changing your oils and checking your tire pressure.
During months when leaf accumulation is at its highest, make sure to hose off your vehicle habitually to wash away debris. You can also prevent damage to your car by keeping it covered or parked in a garage when you're not driving it. Lastly, when your car is covered with leaves after a rainy day, wipe them off immediately to avoid stains. Remember to pull them up delicately rather than brushing them off, the latter of which may scratch your paint.
Just an FYI for all our wonderful customers. We want your vehicles to be in top shape to keep you safe!!
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