2023/02/22 05:07 Weather news
In order to prevent troubles, JAF calls for the practice of “cat bang bang” to call attention by gently tapping the hood near the engine room before riding, but it seems that it is not a perfect countermeasure.
What should I do to get the cat that got into the engine room out of the car and to complete the maintenance of the car? We asked JAF about measures to be taken in addition to “cat bang bang”.
21 cat troubles in January last year
How often do cats get involved in car troubles?
“According to statistics for the month from January 1st to 31st, 2022, there were 21 cases nationwide of drivers requesting roadside assistance because a cat had gotten into the engine room. Of these, there were 11 cases in which it was clearly understood that rescue was requested after the engine was started.
We tend to think that troubles are more common in winter, but they occur all year round. In addition to cats, rats and snakes can also enter, and birds can build nests.” (JAF)
Why cats like engine compartments
“It’s not just that the engine room is warm, but it also has a tendency to like small spaces. The engine room of a parked car is a dark, narrow space, and wind and rain don’t easily enter, and there aren’t many people coming and going around the parking lot. It seems like a safe place for wary cats.
Especially small kittens are easy to get into the gap, so please be careful right after the kitten is born.
If you start the engine without realizing that there is a cat in the engine room, the cat may be startled and panic. If you are in the vicinity of the belt of equipment such as air conditioners and power steering, you may be caught in the rotating parts as it is.
Because it is a momentary event, it may be too late for the driver to notice it.” (From the JAF website)
What to do if you feel the presence of a cat
“Cats hiding in the engine compartment may not be noticed by drivers when they enter the vehicle. Accidents cannot be prevented simply by approaching. Cats need to be alerted to the presence of humans in some way.
First, hit the area near the engine room, such as the hood. Don’t hit it hard, try to hit it gently like knocking.
There are individual differences between cats as to whether they will come out just by tapping, so it is not a panacea. After hitting, listen carefully to check for signs of the cat. If you feel a cat’s voice or signs, open the hood and check inside carefully.
Also, it is said that it is effective to sound the horn before starting the engine. In addition, it is also important to take measures to keep cats away from cars on a daily basis. If your car is parked outdoors, you can use commercially available cat-repellent products or repellents (medicine) to keep cats away from smells, etc.” (From the JAF website)
In the unlikely event that an accident such as being caught in the belt occurs, what should be done?
“If you have trouble dealing with the problem yourself, ask JAF or contact a dealer or repair shop.
There are also cases where a cat is caught in the car without noticing it, and after a while, the accident is noticed by the engine noise or odor. In such cases, the engine may be adversely affected.” (From the JAF website)
In order to prevent accidents, it is also important to always be aware that there may be a cat in the engine room, etc., and to check for any abnormalities around the car. Let’s practice “Cat Bang Bang” and have a happy “Cat Day” for both cats and humans safely.
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Reference materials, etc.
JAF “21 cases of cats getting into cars in one month! On February 22nd, cat day, raise awareness of cat-related problems”, “I know cats get into the engine compartment” Is it? (question box for anything about cars)”
