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WET & WILD
Often-forgotten spring cleaning job could save your motor from damp and mould… common car feature adds extra risk
You could even end up with water dripping directly into the cabin
DRIVERS have been urged to crack on with an often-forgotten spring cleaning job that can save their cars from damp and mould.
Motorists might think they're protected from April showers while they cruise along the roads, but the wet weather could be causing serious invisible issues.
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James Lett, former mechanic and technical director at , spoke exclusively with Sun Motors to share his top seasonal tips.
He urged Brits to check an often overlooked part of their vehicles as we move out of winter and towards better weather.
He said: "Leaves and flower petals, things like that, can seriously block water drains in your car.
"In that little panel under your windscreen wipers (we call that the scuttle panel) there are little drains that water can drain out of.
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"If they get blocked the water can back up.
"Every car is different but in most cases just underneath that plastic trim is the intake for your air conditioning and your heater system.
"The water builds up in there and it can leak into your heater intake and you get dampness all inside your car."
If that does happen, you could end up blowing moist air through your motor any time you use the air con.
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That can put the interior at risk of musty smells and even mould if the problem goes unresolved, especially on upholstered seats.
If your interior is trimmed with leather, the moisture can also damage the leather, making it stiff and brittle.
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And drivers with a common feature on their car are more at risk than others as they have more drains to contend with.
James explained: "When I was in the workshop that was a very common occurrence.
"Especially with sunroofs, each corner of your sunroof has a little drain.
"If you've parked under a tree all winter and leaves have fallen on it, it's quite likely the drains will block up.
"Again the water can fill up and you could even end up with water dripping on your head from your sunroof."
Fortunately, getting these clean is relatively easy.
Make sure to familiarise yourself with where the drains are on your car and regularly check them for blockages.
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Light obstructions of a few leaves or flowers can usually be brushed out yourself.
However, leave it long enough and you may have to take it in to a garage to have the drain properly flushed out at extra expense.
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