Industry insiders strongly advise making a quick check around your car when parking — it could prevent costly repairs and reduce the risk of a potentially devastating fire
Experts are urging Brit motorists to take extra care when parking this autumn — fallen leaves are a serious fire hazard that could wind up costing you a small fortune.
The shift from summer to autumn brings cooler temperatures and colourful scenery. While many people welcome the vibrant shades of red, orange and gold, as well as the sight of pretty falling leaves, the seasonal change can create serious problems for car owners.
A simple and common mistake, like leaving a vehicle parked under a tree, could have considerable consequences. In extreme cases, you might even end up needing a new car.
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Graham Conway from Select Car Leasing explained: “The colours of autumn can be breathtaking, especially on a long drive in the countryside when the golden and brown hues of the foliage really come into their own.
“However, it’s worth being aware of the risks of your car becoming covered in these leaves. In the most serious cases this could result in an electrical fire which could destroy your vehicle and put lives at risk.”
“This happens when leaves and foliage gather in the gully where the windscreen meets the bonnet and causes blockages. It means drain holes in this ‘plenum chamber’ get so clogged up that rainwater can’t escape and seeps into the car’s interior.
“The first sign of this is soggy carpets or a musty mouldy smell. But far more worrying is the potential for the water to get into electrical components and cause a fire under the bonnet. My advice is to clean any leaves out of the plenum chamber at least once a week to avert a potential disaster.”
The risk from autumn leaves does not stop at fires or flooding. They can also damage the exterior of the vehicle if left to rot on the paintwork. Decomposing leaves release chemicals such as tannic acid.
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This can penetrate the surface layers and leave permanent stains. Such damage is notoriously difficult to repair, meaning that simple neglect over the season could cause lasting harm to a car’s appearance and value.
On the roads themselves, fallen leaves pose yet another threat. Expert Graham warned: “Fallen leaves and damp weather also increases the risk of skids during autumn months. This is because they reduce traction between your tyres and the road surface, causing them to lose grip and you to lose control.
“Leaves can also cover obstacles such as potholes, leading to suspension-shaking impacts if you cruise into a crater. Recent figures showed that potholes are costing around £7.5billion in repairs and almost half of British motorists suffered damage over the past year — with the average bill more than £900.
“The only thing you can do to limit any damage is to make sure your tyres are at the correct pressure — not too soft to damage tyre walls and not too hard that your suspension takes a battering.”
So the message is clear — remove leaves regularly, avoid long spells parked under trees and remain vigilant to hidden hazards on damp roads to keep yourself, your vehicle and passengers protected during the autumn months.
A quick check around the car could prevent costly repairs and reduce the risk of a potentially electrical devastating fire.
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