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Block heater, CAN$340 (!@?%!): Feasibility to DIY?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Philosophe, Jun 18, 2009.

  1. Philosophe

    Philosophe 2010 Prius owner

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    Canadian Prices have just been published and MSRP for the block heater is, believe it or not, CAN$340.:eek:

    I know I could buy one through the net for about USD$50. Paying 6 times the price for something to be installed is enough to drive me to DIY!

    Has anybody compiled a step-by-step process to install a 2010 block heater? How easy is it? What tools are required? How much times does it take?

    Is there a reason Toyota asks so much (something like: you need to remove bottom plate, work in an area where you see nothing, takes 2 hours to do for a trained mechanics, etc.)?
     
    #1 Philosophe, Jun 18, 2009
  2. Defrance

    Defrance Junior Member

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    It's a mandatory option, so I doubt you'll be able to get out of it. At least you'll use it in Montreal... imagine shelling out for that if you lived in Victoria!
     
    #2 Defrance, Jun 18, 2009
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's not mandatory in B.C.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Jun 18, 2009
  4. Philosophe

    Philosophe 2010 Prius owner

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    By "mandatory" you really mean that you are required by law to have one? It certainly isn't the case here in Quebec.

    Why is it so? If you like your badly engineered car not to start in cold winter mornings, why would the government prevent you to do so?

    Still checking stats from ec.gc.ca, Calgary's coldest days are colder than Montréal's (Calgary: 26 days/year with minimum below -20°C and 5 with minimum below -30°C; Montréal: 17 days/year with minimum below -20°C). I guess I'll stay here!
     
    #4 Philosophe, Jun 19, 2009
  5. Defrance

    Defrance Junior Member

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    My apologies... it's not mandatory in every province. If you change the province when you Build and Price on the website, you'll notice that the extra costs change.

    Alberta:
    [​IMG]

    Quebec:
    [​IMG]

    So we have the block heater and a $5 higher tire levy, but I'll take that over paying PST/QST any day!
     
    #5 Defrance, Jun 19, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You reduce wear and tear on the car, regardless of the engineering behind it.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jun 19, 2009
  7. jm1515

    jm1515 New Member

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    #7 jm1515, Jun 19, 2009
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    #8 Tideland Prius, Jun 19, 2009
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