Ford Spider Shield

Cheiracanthium mildei and Cheiracanthium inclusum – more commonly referred to as yellow sac spiders – can be a big problem, even if you're not afraid of spiders.

These arachnids have been known to nest inside vehicles in North America, causing problems for car owners and automakers alike over the years. Instead of using webs to catch prey, these spiders build cocoon-like webs for shelter and to lay eggs. Their home is dense enough to potentially block fuel vapor lines, which can lead to engine damage and diminished vehicle performance.

Spiders have been responsible for the recalls of hundreds thousands of vehicles in the US over the years. Mazda issued two campaigns on the Mazda6 due to the webs causing pressure to build up in the fuel tank and potentially leading to a split. There was also a similar recall from Suzuki, and another one covering the air conditioning system on Toyotas.  

And that's why Ford created a team of Spidermen.

The technology continues to evolve. Ford engineers worked on an improved spider screen that is being implemented across the Ford lineup in North America. It will go global with the launch of the all-new 2016 Ford Focus RS.

Keeping fuel vapor lines clear is key to air and vapor circulation for a vehicle's carbon canister, where fuel vapors are captured so they don't enter the environment. The Ford-developed spider screen keeps spiders out of the line, but allows air and vapor flow for optimal vehicle operation.

Warning: If you really hate spiders, you might not want to click over to the next slide.

According to Wikipedia:

Cheiracanthium are usually pale in colour, and have an abdomen that can range from yellow to beige. Both sexes range in size from 5 to 10 mm. Some yellow sac spiders are attracted to the smell of volatiles in gasoline.[1] Of all "common house spiders", they are the only species whose tarsi do not point either outward (like Tegenaria) or inward (like Araneus), and are therefore easy to identify.