10 Sep TIPS FOR A CLEAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT THIS FALL
The kids are off to school and the leaves are starting to turn – it’s time to start thinking about keeping those leaves OUT of your engine compartment!
Leaves can be dangerous for several reasons. The first is their ability to clog up important drains, which can lead to standing water sitting in places in the engine bay that should never be wet (such as the battery box, fuses, relays or the brake booster). Sudden nighttime chills can even freeze this water and create entirely new problems, with the potential for damage amplified by the expansion of ice.
There’s also the chance that leaves and needles could accumulate to the degree where they pose a fire risk, particularly if they dry out and fall onto a hot exhaust manifold. Other potential problems include blocking the operation of windshield wiper mechanisms and interfering with engine belts, not to mention the potential for squirrels and mice to use this detritus as bedding, make a nest and start gnawing on wires.
Convinced? Good! Check out these three tips to help you deal with the fall leaf menace.
1. Use a Shop Vacuum
Resist the urge to use a leaf blower to blow out the leaves – chances are you will push leaves even deeper into crevices. Use a shop vacuum instead – the suction from a strong vacuum is a much safer bet for getting things clean.
2. Avoid Parking Under Trees
There’s not much you can do if there’s a tree sitting directly over your parking spot at home, but when you’re out and about during the fall season, it’s always worth it to park far away from trees. This will help reduce the junk that gets dumped on your car from above and keep your engine compartment spotless.
3. Use A Car Cover
Even if that tree does loom over your driveway, you can protect both your engine compartment and your vehicle’s paint by wrapping it in a car cover whenever it sits for an extended period of time. Car covers also have the added bonus of protecting your automobile from sap, rain and blowing dust and dirt.
Autumn leaves are a real menace for car owners to contend with. It’s worth taking a few precautions to avoid damage down the line.