Soybean based wire coating in vehicles

04/25/2024 | me

[Omnivore-Dan]

I'm not sure if car and truck manufacturers are still using soybean based coating for the myriad of wires in vehicles with sensors all over them. A friend just spent over $3k on two vehicles because of squirrels eating the wires. Both vehicles required complete re-wiring, entire harnesses were chewed through. Their pickup truck is only a few years old, the suv a bit older about 4 years. The insurance would not cover the damage, and the manufacturer would not either. Trying to find out if our 2022 Buick Encore has soybean coatings, lots of squirrels, mice and other critters around here.

[Pearls Before Swine]

I hadn’t heard of this. I wonder if introduction of this soy-based coating was eco-driven.

[alternatives?]

My mechanic suggested putting a couple of mesh bags filled with moth balls under the hood.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I’ve heard of it, too. Appeal the claim to your insurance company.

[Red Badger]

This started back in the 90’s. Millions of cars were manufactured with edible wire insulation...............

List of cars with soy wire insulation
Based on the provided search results, here is a list of cars that may have soy-based wire insulation:

BMW 318is (1991 model)
Honda CR-V (2017 model)
Toyota (2021 model)
Ford (2016 and 2017 models)
General Motors vehicles (no specific model mentioned)

Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is based on the limited information provided. It’s also important to note that not all cars with soy-based wire insulation will necessarily attract rodents, and not all rodents will be attracted to soy-based wire insulation. Additionally, some cars may have soy-based wire insulation in certain components, but not in all areas.

https://www.motorverso.com/which-cars-have-soy-based-wiring/

[Red Badger]

Toyota:

Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Toyota RAV4
Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tundra
Honda:

Honda Accord
Honda Civic
Honda CR-V
Honda Fit
Honda HR-V
Honda Insight
Ford:

Ford Escape
Ford Focus
Ford Fusion
Ford Mustang
Ford Ranger
Chevrolet:

Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Traverse
Nissan:

Nissan Altima
Nissan Rogue
Nissan Sentra
Nissan Versa
Hyundai:

Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Kona
Kia:

Kia Forte
Kia Optima
Kia Seltos
Kia Soul
Kia Sportage
Subaru:

Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru Forester
Subaru Impreza
Subaru Outback
Mazda:

Mazda3
Mazda6
Mazda CX-3
Mazda CX-5
Mazda CX-9
Volkswagen:

Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Tiguan
Audi:

Audi A3
Audi A4
Audi Q3
Audi Q5
Other Brands:

Buick Encore
Cadillac XT4
Chrysler Pacifica
Dodge Journey
GMC Terrain
Jeep Cherokee
Lexus ES
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Mini Cooper
Mitsubishi Outlander
Porsche Macan
RAM 1500
Volvo XC40

[Blood of Tyrants]

I think that the experiment with the soybean oil-based insulation ended because of the problem with animals chewing the wires.

[Omnivore-Dan]

Probably was some wing-nuts idea for cheaper wiring. Maybe lives where there isn’t any wildlife that smells dinner.

[Dr. Sivana]

From Perplexity.ai, the best AI I have found:

Yes, modern cars do use soy-based insulation coating on their electrical wiring. Here are the key points: Since around 2000, almost all major automakers started using soy-based insulation for wiring instead of traditional petroleum-based insulation.

The soy-based insulation is cheaper for manufacturers and considered more environmentally friendly as it is plant-based and biodegradable.

However, this soy-based wiring has become an attractive food source for rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels who gnaw through the insulation, causing electrical issues in vehicles.

Automakers like Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Audi, BMW, Dodge, and Nissan have all switched to using soy-based insulation on wiring in their vehicle models.

The problem of rodents damaging soy-based automotive wiring has become so widespread that some automakers have faced class-action lawsuits from owners over the issue.

So in summary, yes the use of soy-based insulation on wiring in modern vehicles from virtually all major brands has inadvertently made them more susceptible to rodent damage and related electrical problems.

[Red Badger]

Does Your Car Have Soy Based Wiring? [UPDATED 2023]

https://www.howtopreventratsfromeatingcarwires.com/2017/02/10/does-your-car-have-soy-based-wiring/

[linMcHlp]

The rodent magnet.

[dfwgator]

This is what happens when the bean-counters run companies instead of engineers.

[Omnivore-Dan]

Not my vehicles, a good friend and neighbor had the problem. Insurance company told him it’s the manufactures problem.

[Red Badger]

How do you get their little legs apart?.........................

[Omnivore-Dan]

” It’s also important to note that not all cars with soy-based wire insulation will necessarily attract rodents, and not all rodents will be attracted to soy-based wire insulation. “ What a crock of cover your ass bs. Any car in a suburban or rural area with squirrels, chipmunks, mice and other rodents are at risk. What it doesn’t say is how much more likely the wiring will get eaten vs. petroleum based coatings. Since I learned about this, I found out it is more common than I thought, especially during winter months when there is less food for the hungry critters.

[1Old Pro]

Just great, I had better get the car back in the garage.

[Red Badger]

......The only solution................

[matthew fuller]

Unless you are positive on the ID of squirrels, I’m betting on rats as the wire-eater. Look for the rat turds on your engine. They also eat windshield washer containers on f-150’s.

[Omnivore-Dan]

Geez. It would probably be a shorter list of the vehicles that aren’t made with the soybean based wire coating.

[George from New England]

You put in your claim with your insurance. AND LET THEM go after manuf