Storm Damage and Your Vehicle

April showers bring May flowers, but in many cases they can also unfortunately bring major damage to your car. With unpredictable weather it can be difficult to protect your car and prevent damage over time, especially if you don’t have access to a garage or carport. Rain isn’t the only threat to your car, wind, snow, and ice can also cause damage to your car throughout the year. Let’s look at some of the damage you may experience, as well as some ways to reduce it.  

Environmental Damage Over Time

Over time rain, ice, and snow can cause damage to your car’s exterior simply from exposure to the elements. The finish on your car may wear down over time if it isn’t properly maintained. Likewise driving through stormy conditions can also cause damage to your tires, wheels, alignment, and the underside of your car. Driving in snow and ice can increase the risk of damage from an accident, and driving in heavy rain can increase the risk of flood damage.

During a storm there is likely to be debris on the road from wind, rain, and ice, so small but unavoidable hazards in the road such as branches, twigs, rocks, and leaves can damage your tires and alignment over time. Small branches in particular can be damaging because they have the potential to damage the underside of your car in addition to your tires.

Sudden Damage

Storms of all kinds can also lead to sudden damage of your car. During heavy rains and snow you are more likely to get into an accident, causing major damage to your car. Likewise heavy winds can lead to downed branches that can land on your car or on the road in front of you. Hail storms also have the potential to cause major damage to your car, denting your car and/or damaging your windshield.

Preventative Measures

To prevent excessive damage to your car from the elements, consider the weather before going for a drive. If it has just begun to snow, consider staying in. If there are heavy rains and you are in an area prone to flash flooding, stay put. In addition, you can protect your car at home by not parking close to large trees that may come down in a severe storm, and by regularly waxing your car to help protect it from rain, snow, and ice.

There are many things you can do to reduce the environmental damage your car is susceptible to, but sometimes damage is unavoidable. In these cases Mighty Auto Pro is here to help! For auto repair in Medina, OH, call us today! We are here to help get you back on the road as quickly as possible!