How Parking Under Trees Can Cause Expensive Vehicle Damage
Do you love parking underneath the trees? The shade it provides is a lifesaver on a hot sunny day, but did you know it can cause vehicle damage? When parked underneath trees, vehicles tend to collect a lot of leaves and pine needles, causing the drains to clog without proper cleaning. When these drains clog, water has no place to go except in through the air intake system, causing potentially irreversible damage to the engine.
The air intake system of most vehicles has a place for water to separate, but under such conditions, too much water can saturate the filters, causing the filter to come apart and eventually clog the valves and the engine will no longer run. The price of repairing such damage can range from $1500 to $2000 per incident, including the cost of tow. Yikes!
This damage tends to happen more frequently in the spring and autumn, for the obvious reasons of leaves and pine needles falling. However, the good news is that there is a simple fix – moving the parking spot during these seasons! It’s important to ensure that your vehicle is always parked in a dry and safe area to prevent such damage from happening. If you must park under a tree, ensure that you clean the vehicle regularly.
There are additional measures you can take to avoid this. For instance, make use of car covers or park in a garage whenever possible. Car covers provide an excellent barrier against leaves, pine needles, and other debris that can cause vehicle damage. The cover also prevents water from getting into the air intake system.
Parking in a garage can offer your vehicle complete protection from environmental damage. Garages keep your car shielded from harsh weather, including sunlight, heavy rain, and high winds. This option may be more expensive than parking under a tree, but it is certainly a cost-effective choice in the long run.
In conclusion, parking under trees may seem harmless, but it can cause significant damage to your vehicle. With the financial implications that come with repairing such damage, it is best to avoid parking your vehicle under trees during the spring and autumn months when there is an increased chance of clogging drains with foliage. Taking extra care in finding a suitable parking spot and moving to avoid trees during these seasons can save you a lot of trouble and expenses down the line. Remember, prevention is always better than cure when it comes to vehicle damage.
