Notice to All Mice: Silver Corolla Club Now Closed

Lately, we've had the "reflection" and "realism" part of this blog. Now, I'll share a some helpful information I just learned to address the "adroit" theme: mouse deterrent skills.

It seems many car manufacturers (mine is a Toyota Corolla) fail to use a screen* to provide some protection to the intake for the engine air filter. This allows mice to enter the dark, warm tunnel of the intake hose and wend their way into the engine air filter cabinet (or whatever you want to call the plastic thing that houses the air filter). Here is where they build snug little nests, snack on acorns and perform various other mouse party games. Once the fun and games are over, your engine can suck up all the remnants like a vacuum cleaner (except that your vehicle engine is not suppose to be a mouse party vacuum).

The other place they visit is the fun house of the glove compartment and/or the cabin air filter which is located just above the blower motor, behind the glove compartment. To deter these creatures from using your car as party central, you can install aluminum screening (does not rust and cannot be easily chewed) secured with a zip tie around the top of the engine air filter intake hose. You can also roll up brand-new (i.e. fully-scented) dryer sheets in aluminum screen material and stuff these into the openings near the windshield to keep the mice from accessing the cabin air filter area.

Lucky you if you do not have to deal with this issue. However, now is a good time to point out that changing these filters is pretty simple for anyone to do. Why pay the dealership or an automotive repair place, including Jiffy Lube or someplace like that, to replace these filters? If they notice upon an oil change that these filters need replacing, say, "Thanks for the notice!" Then, on your way home, stop by the nearest auto parts store and pick up the right ones for your make/model/year of vehicle. They are REALLY (ridiculously) easy to replace, so paying someone else to replace them would be like paying someone to brush your teeth. Of course, you will likely have fun replacing the glove compartment back to its normal spot the first time through. Just stay patient, figure out the proper order for reattaching the pump so it opens slowly and then ta-da, you're all set and saved yourself some decent money.

*DISCLAIMER: Once the screen is in place, you have modified your vehicle, possibly voiding warranty. You should check the screen regularly to be sure debris is not blocking the intake, which you should do anyway even if there is no screen.