A simple task that takes seconds to do is recommended for all drivers to do before driving in autumn in order to avoid damage that can end up costing your thousands in repairs
All drivers are urged to keep an eye out for one common autumn problem with their vehicles, as it could end up causing thousands of pounds in repairs.
There’s nothing more frustrating than rushing out to your car only to find it blanketed in autumn leaves. While you might be tempted to let the wind whisk them away as you drive, experts strongly advise against this. Instead, they urge all motorists to take a moment to ensure their vehicles are clear of fallen leaves, as they can cause far more damage than you’d expect.
To assist, the specialists at Tires Plus have outlined four reasons why you should rid your car of all fallen leaves to prevent costly damage.
“4 reasons to remove leaves from your car,” read the first slide of their TikTok post.
They then proceeded to detail the four reasons why it could be beneficial to spend a few minutes each day removing all leaves from your vehicle.
1. They can damage paint
For their initial point, they clarified: “Acid from tree sap and pollen can damage paint.”
These acids can infiltrate the clear coat, resulting in unsightly stains or leaf-shaped “silhouettes” that may require professional assistance to remove. When damp, leaves adhere to the car’s surface, enabling these compounds to penetrate the paintwork.
Piled up leaves can also inflict physical damage like scratches and dents on the paint. Moreover, water hastens this process.
2. Mould in air filters
Next, the firm revealed that decomposing leaves can also trigger mould in your motor’s air filters if they’re left there for an extended period.
Should your vehicle’s air filter develop mould, you’ll probably detect musty and unpleasant smells emerging from the vents when the air conditioning or heating is switched on.
You may also discover that the airflow has deteriorated. Additional indicators include heightened dust or mould around the vents, plus motorists suffering allergy-like symptoms.
3. Water leaks
Thirdly, the specialists revealed: “Drainage holes clogged by leaves can lead to water leaks inside your car.”
Due to this, it’s crucial to clear any leaves from the vehicle, as they can penetrate the engine, or block any drainage holes within it.
4. Clog air filters
Lastly, they disclosed: “Leaves trapped under the hood can clog air filters and affect performance.”
Similar to how decaying leaves can result in your car’s air filters becoming mouldy, even if fresh leaves penetrate the filter, it can dramatically impact its performance adversely by blocking it.
This will capture moisture more efficiently, creating an ideal breeding environment for mould.
How to protect car from leaf damage
So how do you stop all of this from happening? The straightforward solution is to clear all the leaves from your motor regularly, even if you’re not driving it.
If you discover this isn’t sufficient, you can also purchase a cover for your vehicle to help shield it from any falling leaves.