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Grill blocking and warranty

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by BoltonJoe, Jan 29, 2008.

  1. BoltonJoe

    BoltonJoe Junior Member

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    My wonderful Prius has reached a milestone: I'm scheduled for the 5,000-mile maintenance on Monday morning.

    Here's my question:

    Should I remove the pipe insulation from the grill before bringing the car to the dealer? Is the service department apt to be shocked to see a blocked grill and, if so, will they claim that I'm voiding the warranty?

    My assumption is that yes, I should take out the foam. But I thought I'd check with the rest of the Prius geeks.

    Thanks, as always,

    --Joe
     
    #1 BoltonJoe, Jan 29, 2008
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    If it makes you feel better/safer then go ahead. I leave mine in along with all my other mods.
     
    #2 efusco, Jan 29, 2008
  3. joerdie

    joerdie New Member

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    Really? I would take it out just in case. Then you wont have to answer any questions.

    Is your grill block held in place with ties? If not, it comes of in three seconds.
     
    #3 joerdie, Jan 29, 2008
  4. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    Unless your car has suffered any overheating, I don't know why the warranty would be in question.

    I found some big chunks of styrofoam I might use to block the lower grille with. I should be able to cut it to shape and press fit it in there. And hopefully push from behind to get it out again. :)
     
    #4 hyo silver, Jan 29, 2008
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I don't mind answering questions. And they're just wedged in and I prefer to leave them that way. While they remove in 3 seconds it takes a bit longer to get them back in neatly. But overall I have no concern about warranty issues and feel capable of defending what I'm doing.
    I don't remove my NAV or bluetooth speed sensor mods, I don't remove my EV button, I don't remove my CAN-View, I don't remove my body side mouldings or my XM radio either. If I felt there was any danger to the Prius I wouldn't have them in in the first place.

    If you have concerns, however, I would not discourage anyone from removing their own.
     
    #5 efusco, Jan 29, 2008
  6. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    I take the grill blocks out and I put a blank back into where the EV switch goes. The last thing I want is for some service guy who thinks he knows it all saying that those items void my warranty. I just don't want to think about it or get into an argument. I also don't want to be noticed, so I don't give the service people any ammunition.
     
    #6 bestmapman, Jan 29, 2008
  7. BoltonJoe

    BoltonJoe Junior Member

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    Thanks for your input.

    Since my grill blocks are stuck in there with no ties, I'll play it safe and take 'em out. After all, I canceled this dealer's warranty and replaced it with a longer and cheaper one that I found through Priuschat.

    --Joe
     
    #7 BoltonJoe, Jan 29, 2008
  8. parky

    parky New Member

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    I'll jump in here and say the same as everybody: Take them out. Dealerships vary but you don't want to give one an excuse to say any damage they may find is your fault!
     
    #8 parky, Jan 29, 2008
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Ah, but they do void the warranty. It's just that there's no need for the dealer to comment on them until something breaks. And then the dealer doesn't much care who pays for the repair: you, or Toyota :_>
     
    #9 richard schumacher, Jan 29, 2008
  10. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    Use common sense here. For a routine service, where nothing is broken, then removing blocks is optional. For repair service, get them out of there before having car arrive a dealer.
     
    #10 FL_Prius_Driver, Jan 29, 2008
  11. Guy in WNY

    Guy in WNY Junior Member

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    Hello,
    I just had my 10k oil change last weekend and I left all the grille blocking in, and I have them ALL blocked - upper and lower. Not a word was said by anybody.
    But I must ask, when I lock the car (with the remote, and I do not have sks, base package only), should the car horn beep? Mine does not.
    Guy in WNY
     
    #11 Guy in WNY, Jan 29, 2008
  12. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I'm pretty sure the lights just flash.

    Unless you have a coupon for a free oil change I would take the car elsewhere. Around here oil changes are around $15 except at the dealer.

    I leave mine in but whatever makes you happy.
     
    #12 JimN, Jan 29, 2008
  13. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I was in for the second complimentary oil change in temps of about -35 F, with the grille fully covered. When I went to pick up the Prius, the service guy said "good idea, I bet you get a lot more heat"

    There are Toyota dealers out there who even claim that synthetic oil will "void" the warranty, and there are other Toyota dealers out there who will upsell you to Mobil 1 or Amsoil
     
    #13 jayman, Jan 30, 2008
  14. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Not sure about the base package, but my Canadian "B" package the parking lights flash and the car makes a Beep noise, not the horn though.

    I had the dealership change the remote operation. When I use the keyfob or the smart entry, all the doors unlock, not just the driver door. I also had the dealer increase the beep volume, I couldn't hear it if I parked on a busy street
     
    #14 jayman, Jan 30, 2008
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