Autumn Drives Can Be Hazardous!

Autumn is a beautiful time of year in Mississauga, and there’s nothing like enjoying the snap in the air and the brilliant-colored leaves that go along with autumn. But those leaves can quickly turn into a safety hazard on wet pavement!

Crunchy, dried-out leaves will turn as slick as snow or ice when they’re wet with rain and starting to decompose. A deep pile of leaves can also hide a pothole or curb until it’s too late.

If you’re out for a drive on a fall day, make sure that you keep your speed down around curves, corners and offramps if they’re covered with a layer of leaves. You should also be sure that your tires have plenty of tread depth for traction on slippery surfaces and be prepared to react if you run across a slippery pile of leaves and feel your vehicle start to get away from you.

It’s also important to remember that leaves aren’t great for your car. The tannins and acids in leaves will quickly stain your vehicle’s finish. If you find them on your car, get them off quickly and try to not sweep them off, so you don’t scratch your paint. A leaf-shaped stain can mean a lot of buffing and waxing to try to eliminate it. Dead leaves can also clog your car’s intake, the plastic grate located under the windshield wipers. Don’t let them build up there.

It may just sound like one more thing to worry about, but we don’t want to see you end up in the ditch because your car got away from you on slick leaves. The Tire Terminal in Mississauga, ON wants to help you stay safe this autumn season.