So which vehicles have issues with soy? Most automakers employed wiring insulations based on petroleum up until around ten years ago. Nests may be a problem on their own, but the market wanted to accomplish two things with the introduction of brand-new soy-based wire insulation: 1) It would be significantly less expensive for the automakers, and 2) It was unintentionally better for the environment because it used soy rather than oil.
However, when auto owners began to protest that the corporations’ activities had served as an open invitation for wildlife to come and sleep under the hoods of their vehicles, things took a rapid turn in the wrong direction.
In This Article...
Rodent Nesting
In the world of autos, rodent nesting in vehicles is not particularly a recent issue. Contrary to popular belief, animals frequently reside in and shelter in vehicles, especially during the winter.
The local animals finds the temperature to be far too cold as the gloomy blanket of winter descends. In these conditions, your car’s heated insulation makes the ideal place for them to spend the night.
Interestingly, every seasoned mechanic has a tale or two about discovering animals concealed in the engine area. When your mechanic looks under the hood of the automobile, they discover frayed, damaged, or broken wires, which can only mean one thing: rodents have made your car their home.
Health Hazards
The risks to one’s health are another concerning aspect. Every time you turn the air up, you will smell animal dander and faeces if the animal is clustered anywhere near the cabin air filter.
Rats and mice prefer to urinate and poop nearby their homes. It is acceptable to assume that you are merely transferring all the dirt to the interior of the car if one lives close to the filter. That is the ideal approach to propagate an illness that is airborne.
Almost all autos have wire made of soy, to the best of our knowledge. Toyota vehicles all have soy wiring. Some of the most notable Toyota models are the Camry, 4Runner, Prius, Highlander, Prius C, and Tundra. Infestations are a common problem for the owners of these automobiles.
South Korean company Kia also produced vehicles with soy wiring, much like Toyota. A few examples include the Sedona, Sorento, Soul, Cadenza, and Sportage. Hyundai entered the market with the Honda Accent, Genesis Coupe, Veloster, and Elantra in order to compete.
That does not mean you can blame everything wrong with your vehicle on chewed-up wire insulation. Granted, a fair share of them are caused by this but they act more like a catalyst in situations to make them worse. Mechanics across the nation agreed that rodent damage has increased by 10 folds in the past few years. Luxury companies such as Dodge, BMW, Audi, and Nissan have all come out with their take on a “green vehicle.
Why do automakers utilize wiring made of soy?
Most automakers utilized petroleum-based wiring insulation up until about ten years ago. Nests themselves can be a problem, but the development of soy-based wire insulation was intended to have two advantages: it was less expensive for the auto industry and better for the environment because it utilized soy instead of oil. However, some dissatisfied auto owners now dispute that their cars’ greener wiring is also attracting the environment, particularly the animal kingdom, under the hoods of their cars.
Rodent nesting in automobiles is not a recent issue in the automotive industry. Unbelievably frequently, animals live and find shelter in cars. Your car can be particularly tempting to rodents and other animals during the bitter winter because it is protected from predators and the elements. And not just in old cars; any seasoned technician has at least a few tales of wildlife in the engine area.
The health concerns are a genuine concern for everyone, not just those with experience working on cars. Every time you turn up the air, you can be breathing in animal dander and faeces if the animal is anywhere near the cabin air filter. If a rat or mouse is residing in or close to the filter, “you’re virtually taking every particle and sending it into the automobile,” as they excrete and pee close to where they live. What a perfect way to disseminate an airborne infection that must be.
Is soy-based wire insulation to blame for his car wiring woes? Wiring made of soy, in our opinion, has made this issue worse. The general view among mechanics across the nation was that rodent damage to vehicles had significantly grown in the past ten years.
Where does that leave car owners who have furry houseguests living in their cars?
In 2016, a class-action lawsuit was brought against Toyota in California on the grounds that the manufacturer need to provide warranty coverage for damage caused by rodents gnawing through insulation for wiring that is now soy-based rather than petroleum-based. The same year, on the East Coast, technicians with AAA car service centers discovered a similar issue with rodents gnawing through vehicle wires, especially in cold weather. According to a group representative who spoke with the Free Press last week, the issue is still present as of the winter of 2017.
Which cars have soy-based wiring?
Some examples include the Kia Soul, Sorrento, Sedona, Sportage, and Cadenza. Hyundai also made progress toward environmental friendliness by using soy wire into their designs. As a result, numerous vehicles, including the Veloster, Accent, Elantra, Genesis Coupe, and others, use soy wiring.
Does Honda use wiring made of soy?
According to a written statement from spokesman Chris Martin, there is no evidence that soy-based wiring insulation used by Honda or any other automaker is tasty to rodents.
Does the Toyota warranty cover damage from rodents?
The company refuted the claim that this issue would not be covered by the warranty since rodents caused the damage. According to the claimants in the lawsuit, Toyota argues that the chewing damage is a “environmental condition” and is therefore not covered by its warranty for repairs of “materials defects.”
How do I stop squirrels from gnawing on the wiring in my car?
Leave a terrible taste in their mouths The Canadian Wildlife Federation advises using taste deterrents, such as bitter apple spray, to help keep squirrels away from your bike. Bitter apple spray and other taste deterrents for wildlife are typically sold in pet shops and veterinary offices.
Use a Smell or Taste Deterrent
Strong odors like those produced by peppermint oil and pine-sol keep rodents out of your car while causing no odor, taste, or wire damage. Spray one of these things on your car’s wires to deter rodents from entering the engine compartment.
Park Your Car in a Sealed Garage
Whenever you can, park your car inside. Examine your garage for any cracks or holes, then seal them if you keep your car in one but discover that mice continue to gnaw on the wires.
Remove Food from Your Car
Remove any fast-food scraps, candy wrappers, or other food remains that would otherwise attract rats to your automobile. You can further lower the possibility of rodents entering your vehicle by performing routine inside automobile cleaning.
Additionally, if you keep your automobile in your garage, keep your trash cans and pet food containers somewhere else. You can do this to prevent numerous rodent food sources from getting close to your car.
Run Your Car Regularly
Even if you don’t drive often, start your car often. Rodents typically look for protected, dark areas where they might make a home. When you start your car, rodents may begin to realize that the engine room is a noisy, potentially hazardous place to enter.
Keep Leaves Away from Your Car
Move the leaves out of your car’s path. Rodents may seek shelter from the rain in vegetation. However, if you leave your automobile close to some leaves, rodents can mistake the leaves for a place to hide and end up getting inside your car. Take out the leaves from around your automobile to reduce the likelihood of this issue occurring.
Leave Your Car’s Hood Up at Night
If you leave your automobile in a garage at night, keep the hood up. Since the area is no longer cozy, warm, or dark, rodents are no longer tempted to use your car’s engine compartment as a nesting place.
Do GM cars have wiring made of soy?
Although it’s unclear how many GM vehicles use soy-based wiring coating, this substance has expanded throughout the sector over time and is employed by a wide range of vendors.
Is rodent damage covered by insurance?
The comprehensive coverage of your auto insurance policy will normally cover rodent-caused animal damage if it is covered at all. Depending on the insurer, you might have to provide pictures of the damage to them as part of the claims procedure. Damage from collisions with deer, birds, and other animals is also covered by comprehensive insurance.
How can I tell if a rodent has damaged my car?
You can look for clues that may reveal whether a mouse, rat, or squirrel is gnawing on the wires in your car. The wiring in your automobile may have been harmed by rodents if your car is well-maintained but the “check engine” light suddenly comes on or the car won’t start.
Look for any evidence of mouse droppings in and around the engine block when inspecting under the hood. Ask your mechanic to look over your vehicle if you think a rodent may have caused damage. This action could help you save a lot of money because replacing a cable or wire is less expensive than performing a labor-intensive overhaul to identify the damage’s origin.