According to experts, users should avoid parking under trees, especially if they rarely use their cars. The reason is because fallen leaves can cause unexpected harm to cars, specifically as follows:
It seems fragile and gentle, but when falling directly onto the roof or bonnet of a car, leaves can cause very small scratches. Over time, these scratches can allow water to penetrate and cause rust.
In worse cases, leaves may be covered with tree sap, which is the "enemy" of car paint. When tree leaves get wet, the acid in the sap can damage the car's exterior paint.
Fall weather, characterized by hot days and cold nights, makes things worse. Continuous temperature changes throughout the day will cause metal parts beneath the paint to expand, allowing acids to penetrate the paint surface and cause further damage.
You may like: The Importance of Environmental Hygiene
Leaf debris can get into small cracks or nooks in the car. These small debris can gradually find their way into the air conditioning system's air intake, clogging the air filter and blocking airflow inside the vehicle. Gradually, this will cause problems with the air conditioning system. It doesn't stop there, when the shredded leaves rot, mold will begin to appear, causing an unpleasant odor to the interior.
Rotting leaves and dirt can clog the vehicle's drainage holes, such as the area around the sunroof. As a result, rainwater can get inside the car and damage the interior. Even if the drainage hole in the wiper is clogged, it can cause rainwater to get inside the engine compartment and cause damage to this important part.
Fallen leaves can get stuck under the wiper blades and dry out. If the driver is not careful, dry leaves will cause scratches on the windshield.
Increased risk of accidents
Wet leaves will make the road as slippery as ice and snow. Therefore, when driving on roads covered with wet leaves, it will be more difficult for the driver to control the vehicle. In addition, fallen leaves also prevent drivers from observing sidewalks, potholes, road markings or obstacles, posing a risk of traffic safety.
When cleaning leaves from cars, users should be careful. If the number of leaves is not much, users should pick the leaves by hand. If using a leaf blower, choose the gentle blowing mode. With strong blowing mode, leaves can get stuck in places that are hard to reach to remove.
When clearing the drainage hole around the sunroof area, some people have the habit of using a metal clothes hanger to remove the leaf debris inside. However, this may damage the sunroof lining. Instead, use a vacuum cleaner to suck out all the leaves.
Next, pop the hood up to clear leaves near the base of the windshield. This is where the air intake of the air conditioning system is located. Then, wash the car thoroughly.
For areas with tree sap, wipe gently with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or a specialized solution. However, before using a specialized tree sap removal solution, you should test it on a small area of the exterior first to ensure paint safety.
Read more: Can A Leaf Blower Damage Your Car?
To protect your exterior paint from the harmful effects of falling leaves, you can have your car waxed seasonally. If parking under a tree cannot be avoided, use a car cover. You should use good quality tarps with many layers. The reason is because cheap tarpaulins, with only 1 layer, will put your car at risk of suffocating air or scratching the car's paint during use.
The last thing to note is to increase the distance from the vehicle in front when driving on roads covered with wet leaves.
See more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-10-best-leaf-blowers-black-friday-deals-cyber-monday-sale
