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"seasoning" the catalytic converter

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by hdrygas, Jun 1, 2004.

  1. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    I recently did a test drive on a '04 Prius and signed up for one as well. During the test drive the sales representative said something a bit odd. He said that the local dealership recommends a long drive shortly after taking delivery rather than just short around the city driving. He said that the catalytic converter need to be heated to operating temperature for a few hours to make it work properly "activate it" and make last. He said they had to replace "some" converters early on. Seasoning it is my interpretation some what like my Dutch Ovens, which BTW are only washed with soap and water in an emergency. This seemed odd to me, but he said that the converter does not get hot enough and that they felt repeated low temps early on may damage the device. Still feels odd but then I really do not understand the chemistry of the converter any longer. Any thought on this?
    Henry Drygas
     
    #1 hdrygas, Jun 1, 2004
  2. aarons12

    aarons12 New Member

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    not sure but it's a good excuse for the 450 mile drive back from the dealer where i should be getting mine in a week or 2!
     
    #2 aarons12, Jun 1, 2004
  3. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    He's probably talking about the known issue where some sort of coating in the emissions system can heat up and trigger some warning lights.

    The solution for that is to run it at highway speeds til it burns off, then the lights will go out.

    They probably replaced the converters early on before Toyota issued the bulletin telling people to ignore that particular warning, should it occur.

    It makes sense that a good highway run would get all the stuff burned out of the system, and decrease the chance of those pesky warning lights.

    I don't think it's a requirement thought, and I don't think you'll hurt anything by not doing it.
     
    #3 Tempus, Jun 1, 2004
  4. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    A good excuse for a drive down to Portland for some tax free shopping. I should be able to talk my wife into that. Good way to get to know the new car and test the Nav system.
    Henry Drygas
     
    #4 hdrygas, Jun 1, 2004
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yea, there's some stuff that obstructs one of the O2 sensors, gives a warning light and then it goes out with some good hard driving for 150 miles.
     
    #5 efusco, Jun 2, 2004
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