Which car is rodent proof? (insurance, vehicle, 2012, best)
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Most cars since the mid-2000's or so have soy-based wiring, which is more eco-friendly. The problem is all car makers now have pending class-action lawsuits against them since rats, mice, and squirrels love this food source and chew through the wires, often doing up to $15,000 worth of damage. No car is immune. See:
Albert Heber vs. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Janice Toler vs. Toyota Motor Corporation & Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Daniel Dobbs et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc.,
Tsvetelin Tsonev v. Kia Motors America Inc.
Darla Campbell, Tristin Hibler, and Michael Leppert, et. al., v. Kia Motors America, Inc.
Michelle Martinez v. Hyundai Motor America, Inc.
Dealers love his since they are raking in money. Insurance companies hate this.
The problem is I am in the market for a 2018 minivan. But I will not buy if they still used soy-based wiring. Which cars do not have this wiring?
As a condition of buying a new 2018 Honda Odyssey, do I make the dealer wrap all wiring under the hood in this genuine Honda rodent tape with capascin, free of charge:
Honda developed a wire wrap tape that is impregnated with capsaicin (think pepper spray). I am not sure if they are using it on new vehicles from the factory.
I have a 2012 Honda Pilot and knock-on-wood, have had no problems.
My company has a fleet of Ford vans and several of our employees had problems with rodents eating part of the wiring harness. It cost like $1000 a pop to get fixed each time. They fitted the vehicles with the Honda tape and we haven't had any problems.
EDIT: Previous poster beat me to it as I was typing this.
Honda developed a wire wrap tape that is impregnated with capsaicin (think pepper spray). I am not sure if they are using it on new vehicles from the factory.
I have a 2012 Honda Pilot and knock-on-wood, have had no problems.
My company has a fleet of Ford vans and several of our employees had problems with rodents eating part of the wiring harness. It cost like $1000 a pop to get fixed each time. They fitted the vehicles with the Honda tape and we haven't had any problems.
EDIT: Previous poster beat me to it as I was typing this.
Thanks HWYTechGuy!
Luckily, I park my car outside and not in a garage. But still I worry. Honda does automatically apply the tape to a certain wire harness which has had trouble but not to the rest of the wires.
Good thing I have comprehensive insurance! with a low deductible!
They’ll chew on anything. Some mice got under the hood of my Sonata and chewed on the air cleaner and strut caps, yet left the wiring alone. What I find so be a big issue on modern vehicles is the plastic engine cover, which usually has foam insulation underneath it. Mice like to get underneath those covers, so I sprinkled some rodent repellant under mine.
OP, honestly the best solution is well placed traps with tasty bait. I use classic Victor spring traps and peanut butter for stored vehicles. A rodent will always go for the meal of least resistance. The other alternative, which I am considering, are the positive pressure car capsules; though there is nothing to say a rodent will not try to bore a hole through it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HWTechGuy
Honda developed a wire wrap tape that is impregnated with capsaicin (think pepper spray). I am not sure if they are using it on new vehicles from the factory.
Having trouble finding the article but I read recently that this worked as a deterrent until the rodent population "developed a taste" for the spicy wires.
Having trouble finding the article but I read recently that this worked as a deterrent until the rodent population "developed a taste" for the spicy wires.
Haven't heard that yet, but in our thirty vehicle fleet we've had no issues since installing the tape. Prior to that, one vehicle had to get an underhood harness replaced three times.
I scoff at your mice and point to my squirrel. My cabin air filter was full of acorns last time I checked.
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