How Pollen Affects Your Car & What You Can Do to Help

Spring is all about hope and new beginnings. While this statement is a cliche, it does hold true. The onset of spring reminds us of the cyclical nature of seasons and everything else around us. Also, the sight of vibrant flowers and lush trees adds to the cheer and optimism of spring.

However, with the flowers comes the pollen. If you’re prone to seasonal allergies, chances are you dread the arrival of spring. And if you’re a car owner, spring pollen could pose a unique set of challenges for your vehicle.

Yes. The powdery greenish-yellow substance coating your car’s surface causes more harm to it than you’d imagine. But the right preventive measures can help you protect your vehicle from pollen damage next spring.

In this blog, we’ll take a look at the different ways in which pollen damages your car. We’ll also discuss a few tips to prevent it. Let’s get started.

Pollen Damage: How It Happens

Pollen affects both the exterior and interior of your car. To begin with, pollen sticks to your car’s surface and has the potential to cause stains and rust. This is because the acid from pollen grains can discolor the coat of paint.

Also, if you leave pollen unattended, it further adheres to the paint and turns into a sticky mess. This makes it difficult to remove the pollen build-up. The worst part is that it results in long-term damage causing the paint to chip and corrode.

Apart from your car’s body, pollen also accumulates on the windscreen and hinders visibility. Even if you use wipers to remove the layer, it sticks to the wiper blades resulting in a messy pollen paste. Over time, this can affect the cleaning function of your wipers.

Unfortunately, pollen can be just as disastrous for your car’s interior. It could accumulate in various crevices and clog the cabin filter. This, in turn, contaminates the air inside your car. It can be especially problematic if you’re prone to allergies.

Likewise, as air circulates through the engine and fuel pump, pollen can jam the engine’s air filter. It means the engine will have to work harder to keep your car running. This adversely affects your car’s performance and mileage.

How to Prevent Pollen Damage?

Using a durable car cover is a good idea. But you’ll eventually have to take your car out to reach your workplace or even go for a road trip. This means pollen build-up is inevitable. But there’s no reason to break a sweat.

Here are a few simple maintenance tips to protect your car from pollen build-up and damage:

1. Prep Early

Don’t wait until the arrival of spring before you start looking after your car. If you want to minimize the negative consequences, make sure you prepare your car to face the ruthless pollen season. Don’t just rely on your instincts to sense the onset of spring.

Instead, it’s recommended that you keep an eye on the weather and check pollen data on ClimaCell. Whenever there’s an uptick in the pollen index, you’ll know that it’s the right time to take your car for scheduled maintenance.

2. Park Wisely

The shade of a tree might seem like a good parking spot because it’ll keep the interior of your vehicle cooler. But this also means greater exposure to pollen. That’s why it’s a good idea to avoid parking your car under a tree during the pollen season.

3. Keep Your Car Clean

Are you looking for the best way to prevent pollen from turning into a messy paste that refuses to budge? You just have to regularly wash your car and thoroughly wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Make sure you clean the windscreen too and rub pollen paste off the wiper blades.

Next, check for pollen build-up inside your car. Key areas you shouldn’t ignore include the foot mats, cup holders, seat covers, and various crevices. Also, make sure you check the cabin filter and get it replaced if it appears clogged.

Lastly, don’t forget to take a look at the engine’s air filter to ensure that it’s working properly. If you find a lot of gunk and pollen inside the filter, consult a skilled mechanic and get the filter replaced at the earliest.

4. Get a Wax Coating

Washing your car now and then isn’t enough. If you want to prevent pollen build-up on your car’s surface, make sure you apply a generous coat of car wax before spring sets in. It’ll make your car’s exterior smooth and slippery, thereby preventing pollen grains from sticking.

Have you used any other hacks to safeguard your vehicle against pollen damage? Share your tips in the comments section below.