Seasonal Dangers That Damage Your Car

As car owners, we work hard to maintain our vehicles. We wash them on the weekends, keep the interiors clear of garbage, and drive them safely so they don’t get chipped or scratched. It’s safe to say that we take pride in our vehicles and that we’d do anything to preserve or improve how they look.

But hidden hazards pose a threat to this goal. And no matter what time of year we drive in, our cars are always at risk. Read on to learn about various seasonal dangers and the damage they cause.

Fall

Autumn brings cool weather, jack o’lanterns, corn mazes, and warm cider. You and your family love the fall-especially the vibrant colors and activities. But this season also brings a few unintended automotive threats as well.

Leaves and Debris

While they stay attached to their branches, leaves add to the overall feel of fall. But once they drop, they make driving more difficult. Leaves, branches, and other debris stick to the moist pavement and cover potholes, nails, and other dangers that damage your vehicle’s framework.

Fog

As the temperatures lower, fog riddles the mornings-and sometimes the evenings. This condensation makes it difficult to see and drive properly. Consequently, you could hit another car, a barrier, or a lamppost. You might even scrape the sides of guardrails depending on visibility.

Deer

In the Midwest, deer pose a big threat to drivers-especially during autumn. These animals emerge during the cooler season to mate and migrate, and they usually cross over roads and through residential areas to do so. And since these large mammals weigh over 150 pounds, your car will suffer extensive damage if a deer ever hits it.

Winter

Winter provides you with breathtaking scenery, phenomenal activities, and splendid moments. Your neighborhood might look like a crisp, sparkling winter wonderland, but it also contains different dangers you haven’t considered before.

Ice and Snow

These common winter features affect your ability to drive safely. If too much ice and snow coat the roads, you could skid or spin and cause an accident. Additionally, excessive snowfall and thick layers of ice weigh down tree branches and power lines. These objects often break under the strain and damage or destroy any vehicles nearby.

Treated Roads

Though salinized streets improve wintertime driving conditions, the salt and chemicals harm your car over time. These materials collect in snow and ice under your vehicle and cause the undercarriage and siding to rust and disintegrate.

Wind

Just like heavy snowfall, high winds also knock down trees, poles, and other towering objects. If the winds are strong enough, they carry debris and deposit it on top of your car. Likewise, extremely high winds can also push your car into another vehicle, railing, or light post.

Spring

As much as you love the cooler months, you revel in springtime. This period of rebirth transforms nature from monotone and drab to bright and vivacious. And with the emergence of plant and animal life comes more exposure to mayhem.

Rain and Hail

One of the best features of spring is the regular rain. However, constant downpours worsen road conditions and increase the likelihood for fishtailing, spinning, and skidding. These dangerous movements in turn raise your risk for accidents. Some rainstorms even produce hail, and this solid dents your car easily.

Floods

If drainage systems can’t keep up with the amount of rainfall, streets begin to flood. Not only do floods make roads more difficult to drive on, but they also cover debris that scratch, puncture, and otherwise impair your vehicle.

Potholes

During the winter, snow and ice collect and increase in grooves and cracks in the road. But during the springtime, this solid water melts and exposes previously hidden potholes. When you drive over one of these craters too quickly, your car may sustain some form of damage.

Additionally, if another driver swerves to avoid a pothole, he or she will likely cause an accident and damage any surrounding vehicles.

Summer

This season allows you and your family to take time away from responsibilities and enjoy some quality time together. But when you leave the comforts of home to go boating, camping, or do any other summer activity, you put your vehicle at greater risk for damage.

High Temperatures

Since asphalt absorbs heat well, roads typically become too hot to touch during the summer. Moreover, high temperatures cause the air in your tires to expand. As a result, your tires could blow out and lead to an accident.

Construction

Because the weather remains relatively constant during the summer, road workers and contractors begin various building and maintenance ventures. And with increased construction comes a higher risk for car damage. As you travel, other drivers kick up multiple types of debris, and these items crack and chip your car’s windows.

Sunlight

As your vehicle becomes exposed to higher amounts of sunlight, its paint begins to fade. Though most vehicles use higher quality paints, the sun still destroys the paint over time.

Now that you know which seasonal dangers to look out for, you can better prevent your car from becoming damaged. However, your vehicle may still sustain scratches, dents, and chips throughout the year-even if you do take precautions. Should your car’s body, paint, or glass need repairs, consult a collision repair expert immediately.