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Can Fall Leaves Damage Your Car?

on November 24, 2021

Can Fall Leaves Damage Your Car?

on November 24, 2021

Everyone loves Fall weather, mostly because it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year. Driving on the roads can be quite enjoyable because you get to see all those beautiful fall colors.  The leaves begin to turn bright yellow, orange, and red. However, did you know that leaves could potentially damage the paint job of your vehicle?

Believe it or not, it is true! That is why your team at DriveSmart has taken the time to lay out some tips to avoid paint damage due to fall leaves during the fall months.  Every season in the year has different driving tips, so why not prepare this season with some fall driving tips.

Be Aware of Parking

Whenever possible, try to park your vehicle inside an enclosed space such as a personal garage or a public parking garage. This will prevent paint damage because it protects your vehicle not only from leaves but also any other outdoor elements that could potentially harm your vehicle’s beautiful paint job.  

If you can’t get your vehicle into an enclosed garage, the next best option is to park in an open area that is away from trees.  Never park directly underneath a tree during the fall months, as that would be direct contact to experiencing a bunch of leaves falling onto your vehicle.  

Leaf Removal

In the event that leaves do end up on your vehicle because let’s be honest.  It can be quite unavoidable. You will want to remove those leaves off of your vehicle as fast as possible.  If you let the leaves there, they can begin the decomposing process and release sticky sap all over your vehicle, which would ruin the paint. 

The best way to remove leaves off of your vehicle safely is by using your hands.  You may think that using a broom or leaf blower would be the best option, but it’s not.  Using those would potentially allow the leaves to scratch up your vehicle, ruining the paint job once again.  

Washing and Waxing

Regardless of the season, you should always continue routine maintenance of your vehicle, which includes washing your car often.  This is just as important in the fall months because, in the event that leaves did land on your vehicle and disperse sap, it’s important to wash your vehicle often to remove the sap off of your vehicle.  

The same can be said with waxing your vehicle after washing, as the wax will add further protection to your paint. 

It’s Not Just The Paint

During the fall months, broken and small bits of leaves can fall into the air conditioning unit of your vehicle, which would pollute the air filter.  If you don’t remove these leaves in a timely manner, the leaves inside of the filter could begin to rot and decompose which would produce an unpleasant smell inside of your vehicle.  

It is also possible that when rainwater and fallen leaves mix and fall into your drain hole, it could cause major problems for your vehicle. If leaves and rainwater mix into your windshield wiper drain hole, it could end up sneaking into your engine and cause major damage to your engine.  

The best way to avoid this is to constantly check your car’s hood during the fall months frequently and remove any leaves that may have snuck into your car’s hood.  In the event that your vehicle does suffer engine damage due to fall weather and fallen leaves, make sure your vehicle is equipped with a DriveSmart vehicle protection plan so you can avoid paying out of pocket for any engine or vehicle repairs.  

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Disclosure: DriveSmart offers Protection Plans or Vehicle Service Contracts (VSC) may be referred as “extended car warranty”, or “auto warranty”. A VSC is not a warranty but provides repair coverage for your vehicle after your manufacturer’s vehicle warranty has expired. The VSC contract is with you and the vehicles owner and the VSC provider or administrator that will state what is covered in each plan.