Took my 2018 3 Sport in to the dealer yesterday for the 16,000 kilometer checkup and they found mouse droppings in the air filter. I live in the country so that may be part of the problem. Any recommended ways to keep mice out?
But seriously, if you can't get a good suggestion here, check a mountaineering forum like 14ers.com and see what people use to keep critters out of their cars when they go hiking and camping. There are plenty of stories of people driving hours out to a trailhead, hiking up and down a mountain, and then getting back to their cars/jeeps and can't start them because a marmot or other small mammal chewed through a wire. I think there are some sprays and other products. Good luck!
Used to have mice problems (live in the middle of the woods), but no longer. For the last four years, I now have two of these in my garage, and unlike the old days of mice living in different parts of my cars, no more mice since.
I have a similar problem and my wife is discussed by the residual smell of a dead mouse we found in a door cupholder.
I had a mechanic friend suggest setting the air circulation to recirculate vs fresh air intake, this blocks the access with hard plastic so the mice can't find their way in through air system.
So far no more mice, but will be making my own Peppermint and Cinnamon oil air fresheners to keep them away!
Tried peppermint oil alone on the engine bay...doesn't really work vs rodents here. The sting goes away pretty quickly. What seems to keep em off is my modified concoction of chili powder + peppermint oil in detailer/protectant(Armor All or the like) solution. The thin gloss film not only is less volatile, but helps you see the rodent tracks better, should they return.
Interior infestation is something I hope I'd never ever have. I always opt recirc mode.
Thanks for the ideas. Some of the products don't seem to be available anymore. Think I'll try Jer_k's interesting suggestion along with some peppermint oil.
The common thread seems to be low profile tires. I hate em. Mice have much less effort to put forward when the axles and struts are half the height of standard tires. My son's Camero had the same issue with LP tires. Not sure of the solution. We're dealing with it now as well.
Tire size is irrelevant as the overall wheel diameter is the same as when using 16" rims and 60 series tires. Wheel centers, axles and suspension parts are no closer to the ground...