Toyota Will Void Warranty For EV Button ~ '04 & '05

Zephyr · 11-04-2004, 09:01 AM

Evan,

I quite agree, however I have had some interesting experiences with aftermarket mods on new vehicles. My other vehicle is a Dodge Durango (talk about opposite ends of the spectrum...) and when I brought it in to the dealer for regular maintenance the head mechanic remarked "what no cold air intake yet?" and proceeded to show me a catalog of aftermarket performance parts.

OK - so I was planning to make a few mods to try to increase fuel economy and performance anyway, so in went a really nice cold air intake and a ported and polished throttle body. The next time I brought the truck in I met with the same tech who was impressed with the mods - however when I looked and the receipt for the work an entry was made in the computer noting the non mopar parts and that these changes may void my power train warranty! I can tell you I was pissed :cussing: but I knew the risk before making the mods and was prepared to accept them. I just thought it was very questionable behavior on behalf of the service department.

Anyway, I still plan on making the two mods to the Prius. I know the risk and the potential expense I may incur down the road as a result of the changes, but that's what makes life interesting!

Thanks for all your help and contributions to the site!

Mike V. <><

bruceha_2000 · 11-04-2004, 09:19 AM

As Evan noted on Oct 3rd, the word AND is important. From the original first post on this thread:

25. Does Toyota support the modification of my Prius to be a plug-in Hybrid and run on electric mode only with a switch?

The question specifically relates to modifying the car such that you can plug it in to charge the battery.

I suppose you could buy an official Toyota hybrid battery charger for however many huge bucks it costs and charge the standard battery overnight. However, the storage capacity is SO small that it would be a joke to bother. You would have to add battery capacity as well.

Now, besides adding the (possibly OEM) EV switch, you are mucking with the batteries and who knows what the computers do with that. OK, Wayne probably knows :-). I suspect he also did his experiments knowing he voided the warranty even before Toyota got nervous about the whole 'plug-in hybrid' thing got started some months back.

naterprius · 11-04-2004, 10:47 AM

Zephyr, the action your Dodge dealer took is illegal. If you do have problems with the powertrain on your Dodge and need warranty service, contact Dodge corporate, they know the law and should accomodate you. If they do not, get a lawyer, they will fold like a cheap suit. The Magnuson-Moss warranty act is quite clear. The warranty is now void on your air intake, but no more. If your air intake is missing an air filter or includes nitrous that's another story.

Nate

JHartman · 11-04-2004, 05:18 PM

I'm wondering how many Toyota service people will notice you have the EV button if you don't tell them? I mentioned to my old service manager that the buttons exist on the Japanese Prius and they were totally clueless about it. This is a service center is Los Angeles that sees a couple of '04s every day. I didn't tell them that I have an EV button and it has never been noted. What they don't know won't hurt us.

I honestly don't see how the button can hurt the battery. I use it every day when I leave my home and on the couple of ocassions when I've forgotten to hit the button a second time it kicked off by an increase in acceleration. The vast majority of the time I only lose one or two bars on the battery display. If I really had a battery problem I might consider hiding the button, but I highly doubt whether this will ever happen.

bruceha_2000 · 11-05-2004, 01:47 PM

Quote:

they were totally clueless about it.

I suspect since it is not even an option in the U.S. cars, the service techs aren't trained on it at all. Probably not even mentioned as a footnote.

Wolfman · 11-05-2004, 02:45 PM

Toyota is unable to void the warrany on the car for installing the OEM EV switch using their OEM wiring harnesses. Magnum Moss act prevents them from using that as an excuse. As has been mentioned, the only way that they can void the warranty on the car is if you get in there and start cutting and splicing, damaging something in the process. Now, if the EV switch itself fails, then you are out the replacement cost of it, since it is not offered here.

11-04-2004, 09:01 AM	#11
Zephyr Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 13 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Toyota Will Void Warranty For EV Button ~ '04 & '05 Evan, I quite agree, however I have had some interesting experiences with aftermarket mods on new vehicles. My other vehicle is a Dodge Durango (talk about opposite ends of the spectrum...) and when I brought it in to the dealer for regular maintenance the head mechanic remarked "what no cold air intake yet?" and proceeded to show me a catalog of aftermarket performance parts. OK - so I was planning to make a few mods to try to increase fuel economy and performance anyway, so in went a really nice cold air intake and a ported and polished throttle body. The next time I brought the truck in I met with the same tech who was impressed with the mods - however when I looked and the receipt for the work an entry was made in the computer noting the non mopar parts and that these changes may void my power train warranty! I can tell you I was pissed :cussing: but I knew the risk before making the mods and was prepared to accept them. I just thought it was very questionable behavior on behalf of the service department. Anyway, I still plan on making the two mods to the Prius. I know the risk and the potential expense I may incur down the road as a result of the changes, but that's what makes life interesting! Thanks for all your help and contributions to the site! Mike V. <><

11-04-2004, 09:19 AM	#12
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,549 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 6 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts Friends: 1	As Evan noted on Oct 3rd, the word AND is important. From the original first post on this thread: 25. Does Toyota support the modification of my Prius to be a plug-in Hybrid and run on electric mode only with a switch? The question specifically relates to modifying the car such that you can plug it in to charge the battery. I suppose you could buy an official Toyota hybrid battery charger for however many huge bucks it costs and charge the standard battery overnight. However, the storage capacity is SO small that it would be a joke to bother. You would have to add battery capacity as well. Now, besides adding the (possibly OEM) EV switch, you are mucking with the batteries and who knows what the computers do with that. OK, Wayne probably knows :-). I suspect he also did his experiments knowing he voided the warranty even before Toyota got nervous about the whole 'plug-in hybrid' thing got started some months back. __________________ Bruce Mine: Driftwood '04 BC 24 Sept 2004 - added: mudflaps, door edge guards, side panel moldings, Coastal Tech EV switch, OEM Integrity tires, WeatherTech window deflectors. Last tank - 14 Jul '09: 728.9 miles - MFD MPG: 56.0 Actuals Lifetime: 93,087.3 miles, 48.90 MPG. Wife's: Barcelona '06 #7 May 2006 - added: front mudflaps, Coastal Tech EV switch. OEM Integrity tires. Last tank - 21 May '09: 419.4 miles - MFD MPG: 46.7 Actuals Lifetime: 31571.4 miles, 44.82 MPG.

11-04-2004, 10:47 AM	#13
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,831 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Toyota Will Void Warranty For EV Button ~ '04 & '05 Zephyr, the action your Dodge dealer took is illegal. If you do have problems with the powertrain on your Dodge and need warranty service, contact Dodge corporate, they know the law and should accomodate you. If they do not, get a lawyer, they will fold like a cheap suit. The Magnuson-Moss warranty act is quite clear. The warranty is now void on your air intake, but no more. If your air intake is missing an air filter or includes nitrous that's another story. Nate

11-04-2004, 05:18 PM	#14
JHartman Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 45 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Toyota Will Void Warranty For EV Button ~ '04 & '05 I'm wondering how many Toyota service people will notice you have the EV button if you don't tell them? I mentioned to my old service manager that the buttons exist on the Japanese Prius and they were totally clueless about it. This is a service center is Los Angeles that sees a couple of '04s every day. I didn't tell them that I have an EV button and it has never been noted. What they don't know won't hurt us. I honestly don't see how the button can hurt the battery. I use it every day when I leave my home and on the couple of ocassions when I've forgotten to hit the button a second time it kicked off by an increase in acceleration. The vast majority of the time I only lose one or two bars on the battery display. If I really had a battery problem I might consider hiding the button, but I highly doubt whether this will ever happen.

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11-05-2004, 02:45 PM	#16
Wolfman Moderator (on leave) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 1,205 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Toyota is unable to void the warrany on the car for installing the OEM EV switch using their OEM wiring harnesses. Magnum Moss act prevents them from using that as an excuse. As has been mentioned, the only way that they can void the warranty on the car is if you get in there and start cutting and splicing, damaging something in the process. Now, if the EV switch itself fails, then you are out the replacement cost of it, since it is not offered here.