Campers Are Covering Their Cars with Tarps to Prevent Marmots from Getting to Antifreeze.

      NPS, Adobe Stock, edited by the author

      The latest automotive news and reviews, no nonsense

      Here’s an update from the ongoing battle between vehicles and rodents: Marmots are a nuisance and seem to have a troubling addiction to antifreeze. Individuals parking in areas populated by marmots have taken to making oversized tarp diapers for their vehicles to prevent these critters from gnawing through coolant lines. It’s an unfortunate yet amusing situation.

      Drivers in the vicinity of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are encouraged to bring large tarps for parking, which they then fold and secure to create a barrier between their engines and the animals.

      A recent WSJ video and article discusses how marmots are "terrorizing California hikers and stealing their shoes," shedding light on a growing conflict between marmots and the humans visiting their territory. This topic has gained attention due to the absurdity of a creature resembling the Buc-ee’s mascot being labeled as "dangerous," along with the peculiar sight of cars wrapped in tarps akin to hot dogs at a baseball game.

      Though the WSJ article has just been published, this issue is not new—the National Park Service has already established a page titled “Marmots – Protecting Your Vehicle,” detailing the tarp setup referenced. I hadn’t been aware of this myself (despite having lived in Mono County, CA), but it was making local headlines over a decade ago as well:

      Marmots drawn to vehicles

      Like many amusing news stories, this becomes less humorous and more disheartening upon reflection. It’s understandable that marmots are behaving more aggressively—human encroachment on their habitats is increasing, and as shown in the video, people are making unwise choices like feeding them. The appeal of antifreeze to these animals isn’t their fault; it’s not an issue limited to marmots. Various animals, including dogs, are attracted to the smell of engine coolant, which is why it’s crucial to promptly clean up any spills if you own a shop dog.

      While it’s amusing to envision a large rodent intoxicated by a substance resembling Mountain Dew, consuming ethylene glycol can lead to swift kidney failure and death.

      I have a theory on why this issue is particularly pronounced in high-altitude areas. Driving to Sequoia or Kings Canyon National Park typically involves sustained high-load, low-speed driving as people travel from the coast or inland. This places considerable stress on the cooling system, increasing the likelihood of leaks. Even a well-maintained cooling system can discharge excess coolant (by design) through an overflow tube. Vehicles that have just made the trip to Sequoia National Park from San Francisco or LA would be more prone to dripping coolant than a car merely driving around town. I suspect this is occurring, and the marmots are drawn to the enticing coolant scent—as if it were a beer tap.

      Considering this, the tarp diaper strategy could indeed be effective, particularly if set up promptly. Naturally, a marmot could chew through a tarp—have you seen their teeth? However, with the tarp positioned, any leaking coolant could be contained and less exposed to the environment. If the odor of coolant is kept from permeating the woods, marmots would likely avoid the vehicle altogether.

      So, if you’re parking in marmot territory, such as rural areas of California near Mineral King, it’s essential to protect your vehicle from these critters! Marmots consuming coolant spells trouble, leading to dead animals and dysfunctional cars; a true lose-lose situation.

      Do you have any effective tips for protecting cars from critters? I’m in need of all the advice I can get—mice are always getting into my cars. Reach out to me at andrew.collins@thedrive.com.