Safety
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Place food like tuna outside the vehicle to lure a trapped cat out of the engine.
Food can tempt the cat to leave the engine for a better option.
- This may attract stray cats instead of just the trapped one.
one person who lived it
Soak a rag in peppermint oil and tie it inside the hood away from hot parts like exhaust ports and fans.
Rodents hate the smell, and it smells good to humans.
- Keep the rag off of hot things.
one person who lived it
- Spray peppermint oil and water in the engine area and wheel wells to repel rodents.1
Before starting your car in cold weather, tap the hood to alert any animals that might be hiding inside.
Small creatures, including cats, sometimes enter engine bays to stay warm.
- This method does not always work.
- Do not do this in Australia, as it can cause third-degree burns.
4 people, independently
- Listen for meowing sounds coming from the car before starting it; if heard, open the hood to ensure no animal has crawled inside.1
Consider using blind spot mirrors if you drive in areas where they might save your life.
One person in Houston said they saved their life many times.
one person who lived it
Be aware that posted speed limits may be set below the 85th percentile of actual traffic speeds.
Limits set this way can cause more severe accidents due to higher relative speed differences between vehicles.
- Speed limits are often based on arbitrary rules or resident complaints rather than traffic data.
one person who lived it
When a deer crosses and turns back, anticipate it returning or another appearing from that side; watch its origin point.
Deer frequently retrace paths or move in herds, meaning more may emerge from the same direction.
4 people, independently
- Slow down until you are well past the point where a deer crossed the road.1
- Proceed carefully after seeing a deer cross, as more may follow closely behind.1
Treat wombats like moose when driving in Australia.
They are short but hitting one is like hitting a boulder.
one person who lived it
Do not honk your horn at cows on open range highways.
Farmers often use truck horns to call cows for feeding time, so honking may cause the cows to think you are feeding them and corral your car.
one person who lived it
If you see a buck crossing the road, do not expect more deer to follow immediately.
Bucks tend to use does to check for safety.
one person who lived it
17 more on this
Drive slowly when restarting after stopping for deer.
Herds may be dispersed, and stragglers might still be crossing further down the road.
one person who lived it
Do not assume mirror adjustments eliminate blind spots; continue turning your head to check for motorcyclists and bicyclists.
You cannot eliminate blind spots, only cut down on them. Thinking you have no blind spot and stopping head turns can lead to hitting vulnerable road users.
one person who lived it
Try using dryer sheets to deter rodents from entering the car hood.
One person's brother swears by this method.
one person who lived it
Check your mirrors often to maintain awareness of traffic behind you; if a vehicle was recently visible and is now missing from your mirrors, double-check before changing lanes.
It gives you an idea of what is behind you.
one person who lived it
Be aware that deer are more oblivious to traffic during rutting season as they focus on mating.
During peak mating season, deer may go days without eating and run or walk without thinking about consequences.
2 people, independently
Expect significant financial costs if animals damage your vehicle's belts or wires.
Repairs and cleaning for such damage can cost several hundred dollars.
2 people, independently
Do not rely on deer whistles, as research suggests they are ineffective.
Deer have sensitive hearing but do not perceive the noise as a threat.
one person who lived it
Slow down drastically when you see any animals, treating the area like a school zone.
Prey animals are stealthy, fast, and easily spooked.
one person who lived it
Walk around your car and check on top of the tires before driving, especially in colder weather.
- One person reported their dog was run over by a car while sleeping by the tires.
one person who lived it
Aim side mirrors so that only a sliver of your own car is visible.
It provides a reference point for depth perception and confirms the mirror isn't aimed too far away.
one person who lived it
Avoid adjusting mirrors to blind tailgaters, as it distracts you, messes up your side mirrors, and has little impact on their behavior.
It provides only a petty sense of revenge while distracting the driver and failing to meaningfully change the other driver's actions.
one person who lived it
Recognize that cleaning animal remains from an engine compartment is difficult and messy.
Dead animals can result in gore, fur, and ground meat spread across the engine components.
2 people, independently
Be predictable in traffic rather than yielding right-of-way if it violates rules or creates unpredictability.
Accidents happen when people are unpredictable, such as stopping suddenly to let someone turn left against the flow.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of claims that mirror adjustments eliminate blind spots entirely.
Believing this can lead to sideswiping accidents and potential fatalities.
2 people, independently
Read the car manual to understand features like fog lights and fuel filler location.
Some features involve legal requirements or safety necessities.
one person who lived it
Contact animal control for assistance in removing an animal from a car engine.
They deal with such situations frequently, especially during winter.
one person who lived it
drive attentively and logically rather than relying on gut instinct or assumed visibility
relying on logic and awareness would result in fewer accidents
one person who lived it