I've read that the driver's floor mat is to be removed by a technician only. I want to clean under mine, is that true?
Oh no!!! I've taken my driver's floor mat out many, many times and vacuumed under there....I wonder what I might have messed up?
It’s important to secure the floor mat properly, as described in the Owner’s Manual (PDF), page 384, so it can’t interfere with the pedals, but there’s no reason you can’t remove it for cleaning. The special attention to driver’s floor mats is a legacy of the unintended acceleration scandal, for which Toyota suggested floor mats—rather than problems with the electronic throttle control system—as a possible cause.
It doesn't say what TYPE of technician you had to be. I certify you as a toyota floor mat technician! Have at it!
ignore the floor mat nonsense, it came from an accident in a lexus that had two non lexus floormats stacked on top of each other, and they rode up and the acc pedal got stuck behuind them after the nutty driver floored it showing off. i have never had a problem with the stock mat, or the pedal, and you won't find many reports here of anyone else who has either. it's toyota lawyer nonsense
I thought this might be about the carpeted drivers mat’s propensity to blow out a hole where the heel of your right foot rests. Every other car we’ve had, the carpeted mats had a rubber inlay there. Driver's floor mat worn through at 5000 km | PriusChat and a few years later: Carpet floor mat repair | PriusChat
Well, I took the advice of your savvy folks here, lifted it out and vacuumed the crud out from under it. Thanks!