I just place and order on a 2017 Gen 4 (technology with advanced pkg) yesterday to replace my 2012 Gen 3 which got T-boned earlier this month. The salesman said Toyota Canada did not allowed dealer sell / apply rust proofing on all hybrid vehicle. The salesman also told me if I go other place to apply rust proofing Toyota Canad most likely will denied my warranty if something happen. Any thoughts?
Like most new cars, the Prius is protected against rust by the factory. In the New Car Features book for the fourth-generation Prius (NM3200U, available by subscription to techinfo.toyota.com), Toyota writes: Rust-resistance performance is enhanced [by] extensive use of anti-corrosion sheet steel, as well as by an anti-corrosion treatment that includes the application of anti-rust wax, sealer and anti-chipping paint to easily corroded parts such as the rocker panels. Toyota Canada’s New Vehicle Warranty & Coverage page has links to their Owner’s Manual Supplement books with the detailed warranty terms, including a five-year warranty against corrosion perforation. I don’t know if your salesperson’s comments are correct, but considering that rust-proofing treatments and devices are very profitable for dealers, if he said they won’t sell you one, there is probably a good reason. An article on wheels.ca and a posting on toyotanation.com quote written responses from Toyota Canada to similar questions. There seem to be several concerns, including that an aftermarket spray-on treatment might hide or damage the bright orange insulation on the high-voltage cables. So-called electronic rust inhibitor devices—if they are effective at all, which seems to be in question—could also cause problems; as the spokesperson quoted in the first article said, “Any form of electrostatic charge induced through the ground side may affect and shut down the hybrid system.”
I think the salesperson comments are correct, since when I deal with that financial manger he actually said "Out of all the product that I going to sell you, you just interested in one product that I can't sell you!" I really don't mind the rust protection from the dealer because I do purchase it when I bought my gen 3 back in 2012. After 5 years and 255000km my gen 3 didn't have any rust at all (even undercarriage). It's funny when I told that financial manger about this and he just said "well we suppose not sell you the rust protection for Prius, maybe previously not everyone know that but this time I won't sell you the rust protection". I do consider Krown if I can't get it from dealer since both my 83 Corolla and 85 MR2 do have Krown applied by previous owner and both almost no rust at all. But I do concern the oil might affect the hybrid component especially the high voltage cable connection.
Yeah I was thinking Krown since it appears to very popular in Ontario but it is oil-based. Maybe Toyota's going the green way by not allowing oil-based products to be sprayed on? I thought the orange cables are plastic that insulated the actual cables??
A testimony to how rust resistant the Prius is, SWMBO's Gen 2 is now 11 years old with no rust (apart from the surface rust on the suspension components underneath), it's left outside, not garaged and here in the UK the authorities chuck salt and grit on the roads throughout the winter every year.
Yes those orange cable are plastic but I'm more concern on those rubber o ring inside the connector since Krown rust proofing oil are known damaging rubber seal. Normally before they apply those rust proofing oil they will apply a coating of silicon on all those rubber seals to prevent damage, but I don't think they will take out every single rubber o ring from the connector underneath the vehicle to apply those silicon....
The body and sheet metal I do have faith on them for no rust issue at all, but on the other hand for fuel line and brake line I'm not quite sure.
If you look I think you will find the brake and fuel lines are -inside- the chassis (in a trough covered by the undertrays). I'm betting your 3rd gen wouldn't have rusted even if you didn't purchase the rust proofing. Mine shows no sign of rust. It's kept in a garage, but that is worse than leaving it outside (rusting temps happen for longer periods in the insulated but unheated garage and the humidity is trapped inside).
