Rodent Entry

Someone mentioned a rabbit hole in the Gen III so apparently not. You can DIY.

 

I love that DIY link, but that's for a 2007. I'm thinking about mouse-proofing my 2010 before my x-country roadtrip next week, but am not sure if it's quite necessary. Anyone have input on the G3 2010s and mouse-proofing?

 

I was ready to walk on a lot and buy a new Prius then I learned about the rodent problem. We just trapped 20 large rats in the garage. They get into everything. I figure there are hundreds more as we live next to a waterway. I just had a car, not a Prius, The rats got into the ignition wiring, I smelled something burning on the highway but it disappeared Then the next day my car came to a halt while driving it. OF course someone was tailgating me. My emergency lights wouldn't even come on. It was pretty scary and my wires aren't soy just regular wires. It cost $150 on this older Nissan to get fixed. Paying $4,000 would have been crazy and gotten me very mad.

I may not buy the Prius because of this very likely potential problem.

 

probably a good idea, what does tesla do to deter them?

 

I'm not sure this is only a Prius problem. I am rodent proofing my Prius with hardware cloth. Instructions elsewhere in Prius Chat. I have been searching through Priuschat for the post that a fellow did with lots of pictures showing how to use hardware cloth to completely rodent-proof the Prius. Hardware cloth has already been installed all across the front of my 2005 Prius under the wipers, but he pointed out two places near the spare tire that rodents can get in and I'd like to review his post. Can anyone point it out to me?

 

The rodent chewed up some transmission cooling wire on my Prius and caused $1k to fix at the dealer. All pretty much labor. We caught the rodent afterwards.

 

I had this problem, and am remedying it now, what a PITA. I have a few photos, and a link to YouTube's SaneAuto, where the mechanic keeps his 2010 Prius going strong over 400K miles. An overview of his rodent problem, as well as my own remedy pix, mostly following his advice.
Cowl removed, showing gaping hole through firewall:

Close-up of gaping hole and then metal screening attached with sheet metal screws:

Removed the screening, attached AC/filtration and carbon filer sheeting before reattaching:

Finished installation, maybe not totally rodent proof, but a definite deterrent, as well as filtering exterior air:

 

That mesh is in the right place, but a little flimsy. I’ve had residential crawl space vent with sim mesh chewed through. Hardware stores have a galvanized steel mesh with 1/4” openings, heavier gauge.

a couple more places to consider putting it:

1. At the end of the engine air intake snorkel.
2. The 2 vents under hatch floor, at the corners. (Haven’t done this myself; it’s awkward area to cover. Should though. I do think it’s tougher for rodents to get to these.)