AN EXPERT mechanic has warned of a terrifying car issue that can cost thousands of dollars to repair – and urged drivers to be aware of a telltale sign.
This spring, car technicians have been discovering daily damage that’s being caused by hungry rodents.
tmj4An expert mechanic has warned of rodents nesting in cars and causing damage[/caption] tmj4He revealed that finding seeds can be a sign rodents are living inside[/caption] tmj4Drivers have been told a particular smell is a telltale sign[/caption]What’s worse is that parking in a garage doesn’t necessarily protect your car.
Thankfully, a Milwaukee-based mechanic has revealed the warning signs vehicle owners should watch out for before major damage occurs.
“That’s a telltale sign that something’s been in here,” said Jonathan Klute, service manager at Tech Way Auto speaking to TMJ4.
In a clip, he’s seen pointing to seeds found inside a vehicle’s air intake system.
He says that rodents like mice and rats can enter vehicles through air intake systems and use the space to build nests.
Klute added: “Three weeks ago, we had a customer in for an unrelated issue, but we actually found a dead rat under the hood of his truck.
“You’ll get a burning smell, and it will almost smell like burning grass.”
Truck owner Fred Kilp, also of Milwaukee, said his family‘s dog, Nala, detected the problem.
“She would go immediately to the car and climb up on the hood and sniff it,” Kilp said.
“Nala was the one that actually called our attention to the fact that there was something amiss under the hood of our car.”
But the damage became apparent when Kilp tried to drive his vehicle, adding: “I started the car, and we had no dashboard lights, no radio.
“So I drove it over to Tech Way to Jonathan, and they called me later and said, ‘Yeah, you’ve got some critters living in there.”
The problem escalates when rodents make their home under a vehicle’s hood, as they then often begin chewing on wires.
“They want the casings because it makes good insulation for their nests,” Klute said.
Repairs for these can be costly and can run up to several thousand dollars.
For Kilp, thankfully, the repair bill was under $1,000.
“I’m thinking it was about $600,” Kilp said.
RAT TRAP
Janelle Iaccino from Rose Pest Solutions offered drivers several solutions to prevent rodent infestation in vehicles.
She first recommends replacing weather stripping on garage doors as a low-cost fix.
Another solution is preventing access to what attracts rodents in the first place.
“Mice only need the size of a dime to get through,” Iaccino said.
“If you’re storing dog food or bird seed in the garage, put it in a big, plastic, well-sealed, airtight container.”
Iaccino also advises against using store-bought poisons and suggests calling in professionals.
Iaccino added: “When you’re using poison or rodenticides off the shelf, you often think, ‘Oh, I’ll just double up the recipe and make them go away quicker,’ but you could be hurting birds of prey, you could be hurting other wildlife, and we have to be more conscious of those things.”
Expert advice on prepping your car for summer
Dustin Piggot, the Service Manager at a Subaru Dealership with years of technincal experience, told The U.S. Sun in an exclusive interview which items drivers should have checked before temperatures rise:
Have a multi-point inspection performed. A paid inspection will prompt a technician to check vital systems like braking, power steering, and front and rear suspension for any leaks or malfunctions. They will also test the condition of the battery and check vital fluid levels and conditions. Cooling system. Before things heat up, drivers must have their cooling system inspected for proper coolant levels and condition, have radiator hoses evaluated, and have the radiator checked. Have your A/C system checked. If freon is low and needs charging or parts need to be replaced, it’s essential to address the issue before temperatures rise. Make sure your tires are appropriate for warmer weather. If you live in a climate that necessitates a dedicated winter tire, swap them with all-season or summer tires if possible to extend the life of the winter tire. Winter tires are softer and will wear out much quicker in warmer weather. Look at tread depth. Tires with low tread depth will make it more difficult to stop your car if you need to avoid an accident. Give your car some TLC. Before it gets too hot, Piggott says it’s important to give your car a good cleaning to wash away winter grime and dirt and treat your paint to a nice coat of wax to protect it from harsh UV rays and high heat. Many dealerships like his offer detailing and washing services.Read more here.
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