The Tiago is sold with petrol and CNG engines and as the all-electric Tiago.ev, so the right precautions depend on which version you drive.
The Tiago is sold in India with petrol, CNG and electric versions. Whatever you drive, the pattern is the same: rats move in when the car sits still (overnight, over a weekend, or while you're travelling), and the damage is found only when a warning light comes on or the car won't start.
Where to check on your Tiago
- Top of the engine and battery: droppings and shredded nesting material are the earliest signs.
- Wiring harness and connectors: look for stripped insulation or exposed copper.
- Rubber hoses: coolant, vacuum and washer lines are soft chewing targets.
- Cabin air-filter housing: a favourite nesting spot; a shredded filter is a red flag.
If your Tiago runs on CNG
A CNG kit adds extra gas lines and a pressure regulator under the bonnet, which gives rats more soft material to chew, and damage here is a safety issue, not just a repair bill. Inspect the CNG lines whenever you check the bay, and if you see any bite marks, don't drive on CNG until an authorised CNG technician has checked the system. Never mount any accessory on or against CNG components.
If you drive the electric Tiago
EVs still carry plenty of low-voltage wiring that rats chew. The rule is simple: keep any device well away from the orange high-voltage cables and the battery pack, and never connect anything to the high-voltage system. Run the repellent on its own battery or USB power, mounted in the front compartment away from HV components.
Where to mount a repellent in a Tiago
Choose a flat, secure spot under the bonnet away from the exhaust manifold, belts, fan and radiator, with the front grille facing open space rather than a panel. Secure the unit with the included straps so it can't move. If there's no convenient power point where you park, use AA battery mode.
What rat damage costs
A single chewed wire might be a few thousand rupees. A damaged harness or several sensors can run to ₹25,000–₹40,000 or more, plus towing and the days your Tiago is off the road. Prevention costs a fraction of one repair. The full breakdown is in the real cost of a rat in your car.