Fall Leaves Are Destroying Your Car—Here's How to Keep Yours Protected

There has been a shift in thinking regarding raking and bagging leaves in the fall. Instead of putting leaves to the curb, some experts suggest leaving them on the ground to compost over the winter. The extra layer can provide a safe haven for pollinators, and as the leaves break down, they can add vital nutrients to your garden beds and lawn.

Given this new guidance, you might keep some leaves on your property this year. However, leaving them on your car could seriously damage it in more ways than one. We reached out to an automotive expert who explains why you need to remove leaves from your vehicles and how you can safely eliminate the debris without causing more harm. 

How Fallen Leaves Damage Cars

When leaves get wet and break down, fungi, tree sap, and other acidic byproducts can damage your car’s surface—sometimes permanently. Aside from obvious staining, these compounds can penetrate your car’s clear coat, leading to peeling paint, says James Naylor, a project advisor for Eastwood Automotive. Unfortunately, the damage can build up relatively quickly. 

Once the clear coat is compromised and the paint peels, rust can start to eat away at your car. Any bare metal surface is also at risk. “Leaves trapped in crevices, such as under the hood or around the sunroof, can hold moisture against the metal surfaces, promoting rust,” says Naylor.

But it’s 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.)

What’s 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. The longer the leaves stay in place, the deeper they can get lodged and the harder they are to remove. 

How to Remove Leaves on Cars to Avoid Damage

Naylor says to “remove leaves by hand or with a gentle leaf blower, and consider using a multi-layered car cover if you park under trees frequently.” If possible, avoid parking under trees altogether. If removing leaves by hand, wear a pair of rubber-coated gardening gloves. 

If you don’t want to take out the leaf blower that often, Naylor reiterates that using your hands will be gentler than a rake or shovel and will help you avoid scratching the paint. Remember to pop the hood and remove any debris that is gathering at the base of the windshield. 

As it gets colder, it will be harder to remove fall debris regularly, but a quick trip through the car wash can help keep your car in tip-top shape. If it’s still warm in your area, do an at-home car wash every so often between leaf cleaning to remove any dust or dirt that has accumulated. 

How Often to Remove Leaves

Since leaves tend to fall in spurts and every tree has its own timeline, this is a season-long chore—don’t wait until the last leaf falls to take car cleaning seriously. Naylor says to get in the habit of removing leaves and any other debris like sticks or grass clippings daily.

How to Protect Your Car

While your car’s clear coat will help you avoid immediate damage, Naylor says waxing your car is another way to protect your car’s surface throughout the fall and winter months. “A good coat of wax creates a barrier that helps prevent sap and acids from leaves from penetrating the clear coat,” says Naylor, who suggests applying a coat once per season or four times a year.