speedometer settings

volumedude · 11-24-2007, 07:44 PM

does anyone know if it is possible to change the speedometer readings from miles to kilometers? I am thinking about buying a used prius in the US and to register it in Canada, it would need to be in metric. any help appreciated

**Tideland Prius** · 11-24-2007, 08:12 PM

Yep. US/CAN models have a "km/h mph" button next to the hazard lights.

hyo silver · 11-24-2007, 08:33 PM

That button works fine when you're just visiting, but there are more extensive modifications required to import the vehicle. I recall a couple of relatively recent threads about this - maybe someone could provide a link?

David Beale · 11-25-2007, 11:23 AM

You can import a 2007 or earlier model year with few modifications required. You have to put a sticker on to indicate miles vs kilometres. You have to install DRL operation (a module is the quickest/easiest method). You DO NOT have to convert the vehicle to read in kilometres. You DO have to affix French language stickers to the fuel door and a few other places. You will also need to follow the import procedure, posted on this forum and other places on the web.

There is no way to switch the odometer from miles to kilometres. Even dealers can't do this. I suspect Toyota could, but I'm sure they won't. They don't want you to import.

The 2008 can't be imported because Toyota moved the immobilizer module to the "wrong side" of the firewall for Canadian regulations, from what I've read. So the 2008 is not on the list of approved vehicles for importation.

daniel · 11-25-2007, 06:55 PM

You might also want to check and see if your warranty is still valid if you import a Prius (or any other car). I once bought a stereo in Mexico which the retail chain had imported from the U.S. without authorization from the manufacturer. When I had to take it in for repair, I found that the manufacturer would not honor the warranty, because the unit was intended to be sold only in the U.S.

Toyota does not want you to import your car. They want you to buy it from a domestic dealership. So they may have added a no-importation clause to the warranty. I am only speculating here. But you should make sure before you try.

volumedude · 11-26-2007, 12:39 AM

it seems like a pretty straight forward procedure. I check the official sites (RIV, ICBC, Customs), and it seems like your pretty much running in circles. As for the warranty, I believe importing will void your warranty but you can always purchase a warranty from a private company if you wish. I will search more about it on other posts.

HolyPotato · 11-26-2007, 01:58 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(volumedude @ Nov 26 2007, 12:39 AM) [snapback]544142[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I believe importing will void your warranty but you can always purchase a warranty from a private company if you wish.
[/b]

Just to clarify, Toyota at the moment does honour the US warranty in Canada (assuming you can get the car in in the first place). That could change, of course. Note that many other manufacturers do not honour the warranty when a car (or snowmobile) is imported.

http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=253#TOYOTA

jguest · 11-26-2007, 10:24 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Nov 25 2007, 11:23 AM) [snapback]543941[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

You can import a 2007 or earlier model year with few modifications required. You have to put a sticker on to indicate miles vs kilometres. You have to install DRL operation (a module is the quickest/easiest method). You DO NOT have to convert the vehicle to read in kilometres. You DO have to affix French language stickers to the fuel door and a few other places. You will also need to follow the import procedure, posted on this forum and other places on the web.

[/b]

I just finished the process of importing a used 2007 Prius; the only change I was required to make was to add a DRL module ($130 at Canadian Tire). The fact that (at least on the 2007 model) the speedometer reads in kms at the push of a button, and the odometer clearly indicates it is in miles, was enough. I wasn't required to add any French labels.

Toyota Canada honours the warranty. I suspect we have Toyota Japan to blame for moving the immobilizer to the wrong side of the firewall on the 2008 models -- after all, they make the Prius, and they are the ones who benefit the most from selling it at a higher price in Canada than in the U.S.

The "A Question for our Canadian members..." thread (http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=39971&hl=) pretty much covers all of this.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 11-26-2007, 01:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 24 2007, 07:12 PM) [snapback]543734[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Yep. US/CAN models have a "km/h mph" button next to the hazard lights. [/b]

And it's a lot of fun when you have an unsuspecting passenger.

"Can you believe this traffic? We're doing nearly 100 and getting passed like we're standing still!"

Scummer · 11-26-2007, 11:47 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Nov 26 2007, 12:13 PM) [snapback]544309[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

And it's a lot of fun when you have an unsuspecting passenger.

"Can you believe this traffic? We're doing nearly 100 and getting passed like we're standing still!"
[/b]

Since you are from Chicago, this must be in mph

11-25-2007, 11:23 AM	#4
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,439 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You can import a 2007 or earlier model year with few modifications required. You have to put a sticker on to indicate miles vs kilometres. You have to install DRL operation (a module is the quickest/easiest method). You DO NOT have to convert the vehicle to read in kilometres. You DO have to affix French language stickers to the fuel door and a few other places. You will also need to follow the import procedure, posted on this forum and other places on the web. There is no way to switch the odometer from miles to kilometres. Even dealers can't do this. I suspect Toyota could, but I'm sure they won't. They don't want you to import. The 2008 can't be imported because Toyota moved the immobilizer module to the "wrong side" of the firewall for Canadian regulations, from what I've read. So the 2008 is not on the list of approved vehicles for importation. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

11-25-2007, 06:55 PM	#5
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 8,964 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You might also want to check and see if your warranty is still valid if you import a Prius (or any other car). I once bought a stereo in Mexico which the retail chain had imported from the U.S. without authorization from the manufacturer. When I had to take it in for repair, I found that the manufacturer would not honor the warranty, because the unit was intended to be sold only in the U.S. Toyota does not want you to import your car. They want you to buy it from a domestic dealership. So they may have added a no-importation clause to the warranty. I am only speculating here. But you should make sure before you try. __________________ Daniel ---------------------- Primary car: Zap Xebra SD: 100% electric car. 1.9 cents per mile, using electrons generated from water power. (The Prius is my gas guzzler, used when I have to travel farther than 35 miles in a day.) "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." -- Emma Goldman "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think long and hard before starting a war." -- Otto von Bismarck

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11-24-2007, 07:44 PM	#1
volumedude Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	does anyone know if it is possible to change the speedometer readings from miles to kilometers? I am thinking about buying a used prius in the US and to register it in Canada, it would need to be in metric. any help appreciated

11-24-2007, 08:12 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,562 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Yep. US/CAN models have a "km/h mph" button next to the hazard lights.

11-24-2007, 08:33 PM	#3
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 6,628 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 27	That button works fine when you're just visiting, but there are more extensive modifications required to import the vehicle. I recall a couple of relatively recent threads about this - maybe someone could provide a link?

11-26-2007, 12:39 AM	#6
volumedude Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	it seems like a pretty straight forward procedure. I check the official sites (RIV, ICBC, Customs), and it seems like your pretty much running in circles. As for the warranty, I believe importing will void your warranty but you can always purchase a warranty from a private company if you wish. I will search more about it on other posts.