Leaf Season Maybe Pretty But Not So Pretty To Your Vehicle
September 18 , 2026
What fall foliage can do to your brakes, your cowl drains, and your catalytic converter
In New England and here on the North Shore, October means peak color, apple cider, and leaves covering every road, driveway, and parking lot everywhere you turn on the Norh Shore. It's beautiful, but it is also one of the most overlooked seasons for car trouble.
October is National Car Care Month, so it's a good time to look at three ways leaf peeping season can cause problems for your vehicle, and what you can do about each one.
1. Wet Leaves and Braking
A pile of dry leaves crunches under your tires and seems harmless. Wet leaves are a much different story. After a rainy day or a cold, damp morning, a layer of leaves on the pavement can be surprisingly slick. They also hide potholes, lane markings, and the edge of the road.
Wet leaves means your vehicle needs more distance to stop than you're used to, especially on hills, on curves, and on the shaded back roads where leaves stay wet all day. Here's how to stay ahead of it:
• Leave extra space. Add a few seconds of following distance when the road is covered in leaves.
• Brake early and gently. Sudden hard braking is what gets you into trouble on a slippery surface.
• Slow down before the turn. Brake in a straight line, then steer. Don't do both at once.
• Watch your tires. Worn tread makes wet leaves much worse. If your tires are getting low, fall is the time to find out.
• Listen to your brakes. If you notice squealing, grinding, or a soft pedal, don't wait for winter. Have them checked.
2. Leaves Clogging Your Cowl Drains
For those who may not know the cowl is the area at the base of the windshield, right under the wiper arms. There are small drains that carry rainwater away from your vehicle. Fallen leaves, pine needles, and twigs love to collect there, and when they build up, the drains clog.
When that happens, water has nowhere to go. It can back up and find its way into your vehicle’s ventilation system and then into the cabin, and on some vehicles it can reach electrical components. A little clogged drain can turn into a wet floor, a musty smell, foggy windows, or even rust and expensive electrical repairs.
Signs your cowl drains may be clogged:
• Wet carpet or floor mats, especially on the passenger side
• A musty or moldy smell when you run the heat or A/C
• Windows that fog up and stay foggy
• Water pooling at the base of the windshield after rain
To help prevent a clog clearing the debris by hand or with a vacuum is often all it takes, so it's worth a look before the wet weather of this fall. If you're not sure where to look, or you already see signs of water inside, bring it in and we'll take a look.
3. Why You Shouldn't Park on a Pile of Leaves
This one surprises a lot of people. Your catalytic converter is part of your exhaust system, and it gets extremely hot while you're driving. It can reach well over 1,000 degrees. Dry leaves and grass can ignite at a much lower temperature than that.
If you pull off the road and park on a deep pile of dry leaves, or in tall dry grass, right after a drive, the heat coming off the underside of your vehicle can be enough to start a fire. The engine and exhaust stay hot for a while after you shut the vehicle off, so the risk is still there even after you turn the key.
A few simple habits help:
• Park on pavement or a cleared area whenever you can, especially after a longer drive.
• Avoid pulling onto leaf-covered shoulders or parking in tall dry grass.
• Keep your driveway and the area around your parking spot raked.
• Don't drive through big piles of leaves. Leaves can collect underneath the car, and piles hide things you don't want to hit, like curbs, rocks, and children playing.
• If you ever see smoke or smell something burning, pull over safely in a clear spot and get away from the vehicle.
Get Ahead of Fall Before It Gets Ahead of You
Leaf season is a good reminder that a little prevention now can save a lot of trouble and money later. October is the perfect time to have tire and brakes inspection, clear out your cowl drains, and make sure your car is ready for the colder months ahead.
At Pete's Garage, we've been keeping North Shore families on the road since 1938. When you bring your vehice in, we'll tell you what needs attention right away and what can wait, so you can make the call with no pressure and no surprises. Happy leaf-peeping, and drive safe out there.
Give us a call or stop by our shop in Danvers to get your car ready for fall. Happy leaf-peeping, and drive safe out there.