Avoid any damage to your car caused by autumn's falling leaves

Nothing reminds of autumn like the gorgeous displays of orange, red, and yellow leaves found throughout our area.

neighborhood. However, I will still need to spend some time every weekend raking the yard. There is another important thing to remember during the fall season. Although most people are unaware of this, leaves can cause damage and even death to your car.

Many fallen leaves will fall on your roof and hood, then blow off into the wind. If the leaves, or your car, are wet from rainfall, they will stick. If they stay on the car for too long, their leaves can begin to decompose releasing chemicals onto it. These substances could include sap, pollen and acid. The leaves will become more sticky over time due to these substances (especially sap). It will be harder to remove. If these leaves aren't removed or washed away immediately, the residue can stick on your paint or to your windshield, which can cause damage to your wipers. The second is that chemicals can leach onto your paint, creating spots, discoloration, and even marks. If leaves build up on your vehicle over a period of days, you can end up with a ruined paint job.

Extreme cases may lead to leaves rotting in your undercarriage. This could cause unpleasant odors and even rust. Particularly important is to ensure that leaves don't block your exhaust pipes or AC system. An annual maintenance check can help you save hundreds of dollars on repairs.

The best method to avoid this is to park in a garage and under an umbrella whenever possible. If you are unable to park your car away from the elements, or out of reach of trees, you may be able to purchase a cover for your car. Unfortunately, leaves can still accumulate on your car as you drive. Therefore, it is important to remove leaves by hand so that your paint doesn't get scratched. You might also be tempted to visit your local auto wash more often than you would normally in a given season.

Leaf problems should not be a problem by treating them like snow: remove leaves from your car before it starts driving, and pay attention to where it touches the road. Regular leaf removal, car washing, maintenance checks, and other preventative measures will make sure your car is safe and clean every season.