Don’t let a pile of wet leaves sit on your car long term.
Andrey Ozhegov/Getty Images
There has been a shift in thinking regarding raking and bagging leaves in the fall.
Given this new guidance, you might keep some leaves on your property this year.
Photo:Andrey Ozhegov/Getty Images
However, leaving them on your car could seriously damage it in more ways than one.
Unfortunately, the damage can build up relatively quickly.
Any bare metal surface is also at risk.
But its not just leaves that can cause damage.
Sticks and leaf stems are abrasive and can scratch any car surface, from glass windows to plastic bumpers.
Naylor says this scratching is especially common when the leaves are removed without care.
(Be careful not to scratch your car inadvertently with a rake or other tool.)
Whats worse is when leaves clog important components, leading to malfunctions or leaking.
For example, leaves and debris often get stuck around the windshield wipers.
Naylor says that wet leaves can also make their way inside air intakes or around the seals of sunroofs.
If possible, avoid parking under trees altogether.
If removing leaves by hand, wear a pair of rubber-coatedgardening gloves.
Remember to pop the hood and remove any debris that is gathering at the base of the windshield.
This Fall, Leave the Leaves!USDA.
