EV modifications - replace your OEM cutout

It's been said a whole ton of time on here, but i'll say it again: Toyota doesn't care if you do an EV mod. It won't effect your warrenty in the least. The only possible effect it could have is if your batteries blow up and Toyota can provve it was the EV mod that caused it. however, the burden of proof is on them to prove your modification caused the damage to the vehicle. tons of people have had warrenty work done with the EV mod installed, several have even showed it off the their techs, all with no problems.

 

You can always leave it blank and tell them your kid was playing and popped it out and now you can't find it. Then ask them if they have one to replace it.

To be honest I don't think most of the techs even care (or even know) about the EV mod. And there are some techs that think it's pretty cool.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Clean @ Aug 10 2006, 09:49 AM) [snapback]300886[/snapback]</div>

I have one for an 04 but have heard that the 06 is a different size.

 

I have 2 of them. I don't think I will be taking my EV and IPA switch out any time soon or even when I go to trade in or sell the car. I would want to ship them in a small box so they don't break and I think shipping for a small box would be way more than its worth. I'm talking about a box maybe a little bigger than your fist. I bet your dealer can get you the covers for less than a dollar a piece. Even after taxes i'm willing to bet its cheaper to go the dealer route. This looks like the part number but I cant verify it. 55539-52060 That is what was on the inside of mine. When I did a search on ToyotaPartsCheap.com it did not find anything.

 

they're like a dollar at the dealership parts dept. hope that helps

 

Ok, can someone please address this quite clear FAQ question on the toyota website. Why do some say it deosn't violate or void any warranty? Toyota says it does.

Would like to hear the whys.

Specifically, the last question, #27.

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2006/prius/faq.html

 

because we aren't plugging in?

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steve F @ Sep 11 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]317863[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like Toyota is talking about conversion to plug-in hybrid, not EV switch only.

Remember that the EV switch is standard on vehicles sold outside North America. Voiding warranty based merely on activation of this built-in feature would pose a huge PR problem for Toyota. Doncha think?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steve F @ Sep 11 2006, 08:53 PM) [snapback]317863[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn't pay too much attention to that FAQ:

I'm pretty sure they offer this feature in Europe too, since I ordered a Prius with IPA in The Netherlands (expected October 14).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steve F @ Sep 11 2006, 09:53 AM) [snapback]317863[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone ever had a warranty (or a portion thereof) voided because an EV switch was installed by the owner?

Has anyone ever asked Toyota specifically for clarification of this question?

Why is it so easy to share ignorance and not simply get the facts? Is the limbo of doubt more comfortable?

 

Ok, so you guys are associating the two parts of question 27 and being one whole. I did not read it that way. But, I guess I can see your point.

On CNET news, I found the following statement:

Kwong said Toyota doesn't offer the switch to electric mode because of U.S. laws mandating that it offer a minimum eight-year warranty for the car's power system. Thus, he said, by disabling the switch, the company is able to ensure a longer battery life.

This sounds reasonable actually. So, it is strongly implying you will reduce battery life.

 

I don't know, I am a guy sitting at home asking a simple question hoping someone knows that answer for a fact, not an opinion. Thus, my question.

Yes, that's essentially my question. Sounds like you did not.

I wasn't aware a question was ignorance. I thought questions were a GOOD thing. I thought forums are meant for Q&A.

So, if you HAVE those facts, just present them, otherwise, you are doing exactly what you say here. I was unable to locate those facts in any of the postings I could find and hope someone DOES have them. Just saying it doesn't void and trying to make it sound logical isn't very useful. As we all know, logic and policy isn't always the same thing in most companies.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Clean @ Aug 10 2006, 09:24 AM) [snapback]300857[/snapback]</div>

Yup, at the OEM store. Any Toyota parts dept can order them. I had a few tossed in when ordered my mud flaps and some other goodies. They're a bit more than $1, but cheap enough to not have to worry about the expense.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steve F @ Sep 11 2006, 11:53 AM) [snapback]317863[/snapback]</div>

Toyota isn't talking about the EV switch...and more importantly - Toyota doesn't get to make this call. The Magnuson-Moss Act describes what can and cannot void your warranty. Messing with your car cannot void the warranty BY LAW unless that modification breaks something that you now want fixed under warranty.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Steve F @ Sep 11 2006, 12:38 PM) [snapback]317900[/snapback]</div>

See above.

Car dealerships have a LONG history of trying to scare people into various things - like ONLY having your car serviced at the dealership or risking that dreaded "voided warranty." It just can't happen, folks. Or I should say that by law it *shouldn't* happen. Again - Toyota doesn't get to make this call. It is a federal law governed by the federal trade commission.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Sep 11 2006, 03:06 PM) [snapback]317912[/snapback]</div>

This seems to be the key part of the issue. I took the effort to call the Toyota Customer Experience Center and got a warranty person.

It sounds extremely risky to me after talking to them fpr 20 MINUTES in enormous levels of detail, your comments please? We know there is a fairly long warranty on the hybrid battery, that's a fact. Let's say the battery dies after 4 years and you have not exceeded the mileage limit (I certainly would not be close). You have the EV mod. From the earlier statement I posted, clearly, another fact is Toyota believes the EV switch shortens battery life. Or at least they claim so, and, they must have some reason to bother making this claim. It makes logical sense as well. This was also a part of our conversation with the Toyota person.

So, you have a switch one can argue shortens battery life, and, you have a battery that no longer works that is farily expensive to replace. To me, it seems a no brainer as far as what Toyota would do. They would not replace the battery. Based on the Magnuson-Moss act, I think they would be legally ok. The warranty person so much as said that would happen.

Comments?

Yes, I have been considering the switch, but, people saying it doesn't void the warranty have done little to prove this. I err on the side of caution. So, I want to hear why the above artgument makes no sense or couldn't happen. This doesn't seem anywhere near the scale of other vehicle enhancements of course (heck, it could be Toyota parts even), but, it can affect battery life from what Toyota says, and, that does seem to be potentially the reason they excluded it on US vehicles. So, it's all making some sense to me.

 

In answer to your question about the M-M act, the dealership must PROVE the damage was caused by your modification. That's a much larger step than merely pointing to something said by some person who may or may not have been telling the straight story.

Previous explanations for the lack of the EV switch in the U.S. have included the difficulty of obtaining milage and pollution certification for a car that can be driven in electric-only as well as gas-electric mode.

But do whatever makes you feel comfortable. Perhaps the "stealth" EV mod is more to your taste. I wouldn't worry about it either way. The likelihood of a damaged battery is low, and the likelihood that your warrenty will not be honored is even lower. Worry about something more likely -- like getting rear-ended by an uninsured driver.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jbarnhart @ Sep 11 2006, 12:48 PM) [snapback]317972[/snapback]</div>

People do not worry about what is likely, not even close. People worry about being killed by terrorists when there are maybe 1000 other things more likely to do them in.

What worriies people is one MORE thing that they might have prevented.

Try to defend yourself with the M&M Act from the batallion of lawyers Toyota will throw at you. It will be cheaper to buy a new HV battery.

Toyota will never say it is okay to install an EV switch or they would have left it on for North America.

Even with the EV switch, the car is programmed to protect itself from abuse and so will not be harmed unless for some reason the built in protection fails.


There are simply no absolutes. If you fear taking chances, don't. If you enjoy fun mods, do it.


Edit:

I understand the OP's point of view. When I did the mod, I didn't touch the dash or wiring of the car and installed an external and removable switch. It works better (no delays) and is more handy (I can see it).