Parking outside

[MartyM]

Due to logistical necessity it may be necessary to park my Bullitt Mustang 2020 on the driveway instead of in the garage. I've been driving often it often the last 3 winters as it's been garaged and there's been little snow. I do have a Ford Bullitt outdoor cover to protect finish if necessary.

The blacktop area it is to be parked has had my Toyota SUV for 3 years. This family is used regularly. The longest it was left idle was for a week while on a vacation.

My concern is the potential for rodent incursions specifically with 6th generation Mustangs. My niece who lives nearby had a serious issue with damage caused by rodents eating wiring and worse, pooping the interior of her GM SUV.

THE QUESTION:
Has anyone had negative experiences parking their 6th generation outdoors besides exterior damages?

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[sk47]

Hello; The cars sit outside on dealer lots for a time so just being outside is not immediately bad. Hail damage in storms is a think for many places. Another thing is the way a closed car gets so hot on sunny days.
Rodents can be a problem. My truck was down last year for almost three months due to wires being chewed. I have tried some preventative measures. I get a small bottle of peppermint essential oil and use it two ways. One is mixed in water and sprayed around the tires and fender wells. Since they chewed wires near my fuse box under the hood I place a couple of cotton balls under the lid ( away from the relays and fuses) and put a couple drops of the oil on them.

I have a mesh bag hung on the coolant reservoir with a few moth balls.

I got some IRISH SPRING soap and put chunks under the hood.

I got some powdered NASHVILLE HOT chicken style seasoning which contains cayenne pepper & paprika peppers. I mixed some in water. Let it sit a while then filtered it thru coffee filters and used as a spray only on tires. I also sprinkle on the concrete where my truck sits.

A neighbor gave me some used cat liter I spread around onthe ground.

I cannot say if any of these things actually work for sure. No rodent issues in the last year but may be other reasons. A main one might be I found and removed a squirrel nest from my carport. I discovered empty walnut hulls and holes in the soffits of my stick built carport. Carport is essentially a roof on 12 4x4 posts open on all sides on a concrete pad. A squirrel had moved into the soffits and put a horde of walnuts for the winter. I had been here for 12 years prior without problems but the summer before a new bold squirrel had been coming up to me on my back porch and hanging around. Did not think much of it till the next spring when my truck did not start. I think the squirrel's food attracted mice and the mice moved into the engine compartment of my truck during a cold spell that spring.

Last suggestion is to consider an outdoor Car Capsule. These are essentially plastic tents which blow up by a small electric fan. The fan runs all the time so as to keep the air circulating in & out which stops condensation. I have not used one myself so cannot personally swear by them. The adds seem good.

good luck

 

[sms2022]

I live in the woods. The mice actually chewed a 4x4 hole through the drywall in my garage last winter. We have finally evicted them for now. Never had an issue with them in my cars. As long as you are active around the vehicle it should be fine. Just don’t park it in the back 40 and come back in the spring.

also, ditch the cover. Does more damage imo than leaving the paint exposed with a coating on it. Only way I’d use a cover is if I had an Eastwood superstretch cover on the car and put the outdoor cover on top.

 

[MartyM]

Sorry if I did not make it clear when I wrote:
"THE QUESTION:
Has anyone had negative experiences parking their 6th generation outdoors besides exterior damages?"

I'm simply looking to hear if any 6th Gen Mustang owners have experienced rodent incursions or whether I've been lucky with my other car or this generation Mustang is impervious to the problem?

 

[sk47]

ditch the cover. Does more damage imo than leaving the paint exposed with a coating on it. Only way I’d use a cover is if I had an Eastwood superstretch cover on the car and put the outdoor cover on top.

Hello; Tend to agree. Was restoring a car years ago and had it parked outside for a few weeks. put a cover on it. Came back and found scuffed places. I was going to paint it anyway but learned a lesson.

The Car capsule thing does not touch the paint when inflated so will not scuff the paint.

 

[MartyM]

also, ditch the cover. Does more damage imo than leaving the paint exposed with a coating on it.

The 2020 Bullitt is graphene coated to last 10 years (been a charm the last 3). However, the area is surrounded by trees. The Toyota SUV is constantly under assault from bird doo, pollen, falling twigs etc. Think I'll use a cover.

 

[sk47]

Sorry if I did not make it clear when I wrote:
"THE QUESTION:
Has anyone had negative experiences parking their 6th generation outdoors besides exterior damages?"

I'm simple looking to hear if any 6th Gen Mustang owners have experienced rodent incursions or whether I've been lucky with my other car or this generation Mustang is impervious to the problem?

Hello; Clear enough now I guess. Apologies for intruding.

 

[sms2022]

The 2020 Bullitt is graphene coated to last 10 years (been a charm the last 3). However, the area is surrounded by trees. The Toyota SUV is constantly under assault from bird doo, pollen, falling twigs etc. Think I'll use a cover.

If you’re dead set on a cover put this on the car first then put your outdoor cover over it.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-super-stretch-car-covers.html

The car will still likely need paint correction for swirls and microscratches afterwards.

 

[MartyM]

" If you’re dead set on a cover "
As mentioned, drive it often in the winter. Should have added, would only put on cover if chance of snow.

Really only looking for if ANYONE HAS EXPERIENCED RODENT INCURSIONS???

 

[Bob Lob Law]

Mine has never been parked inside and have had 0 issues.

 

[MartyM]

Mine has never been parked inside and have had 0 issues.

Thank you. Good to hear.
Marty

 

[howlins550]

Due to logistical necessity it may be necessary to park my Bullitt Mustang 2020 on the driveway instead of in the garage. I've been driving often it often the last 3 winters as it's been garaged and there's been little snow. I do have a Ford Bullitt outdoor cover to protect finish if necessary.

The blacktop area it is to be parked has had my Toyota SUV for 3 years. This family is used regularly. The longest it was left idle was for a week while on a vacation.

My concern is the potential for rodent incursions specifically with 6th generation Mustangs. My niece who lives nearby had a serious issue with damage caused by rodents eating wiring and worse, pooping the interior of her GM SUV.

THE QUESTION:
Has anyone had negative experiences parking their 6th generation outdoors besides exterior damages?

I totally understand your concern about parking your sweet Bullitt Mustang outdoors, especially with the rodent issue! I've heard horror stories about those little critters causing damage to wiring and interiors.

 

[sms2022]

Marty,

I’m not trying to derail the conversation but just trying to warn you that I did the cover thing here in Michigan for 10 years before I had a garage and there is nothing worse for paint than putting on a cover and taking it off repeatedly during a winter.

that said, to your original question, there were about 30 mice in my garage with my s550 last winter, more than your car will ever see outside, and they never touched the car.

 

[MAGS1]

I think it’s hit and miss regarding rodent problems. Variety of factors including if you live in an area near farmland, wooded areas, etc. that house various critters. Also, is it a warm place for them to go and hide out in the colder weather? There have been posts of people having issues with rodents, indoors and outdoors. I think one person mentioned an issue with squirrels getting in the engine bay. Others have had mouse/rat problems. And some have no issues.

A few folks put some ideas out there for mitigants, probably worth trying as a preventative measure. They look for warmth and food sources, the less you provide them the less of an issue you’ll have. Driving the car frequently and/or being active in/around the car will be a good deterrent also. The used cat litter is a great idea, the scent of a predator usually keeps unwanted pests away.

I know you’re looking for concrete answers, I don’t think you’ll find just one as every area/situation is different.

 

[MartyM]

I totally understand your concern about parking your sweet Bullitt Mustang outdoors, especially with the rodent issue! I've heard horror stories about those little critters causing damage to wiring and interiors.

Thank you very much. Very helpful.

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