Prius 2010 and Alarm

Hi Santos1958, There are a number of discussions on PriusChat about dealers and what they say about voiding the warranty. I am not going to provide a direct answer; but if you search the forums, you will find a number of dealers who appear to have given buyers inaccurate advise about what actions will, or may, void the warranty.

If you have time, do an Internet search for the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and take some time to read through it. Or you could consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Good reading & good luck. --TK

 

The RS3200 integrates into the existing Prius security system, so you don't even notice it. For ~$300, it wasn't a major issue for me to have the extra theft deterrent. Not sure a 3rd party alarm would be as seamless.

 

* NO, and aftermarket alarm will NOT void you warranty. They will, however, NOT be compatible with the alarm that's already present in your car, and the VIP3200 PLUS uses the existing Key Fob, a BIG PLUS!

David (aka Blind Guy)

 

There is an offical Toyota installation instruction for the VIP RS3200 in Prius Chat, just search for it. I bought it from internet and it only cost me like $238 for it, and I will install it myself. Others said the installation takes around 1.5 hrs and just bring it to NICE dealership to get it activate for about $50. Dealerships in my area are trying to charge me 2hrs of labor to activate the alarm even if I installed it myself. So I just ordered the mongoose mfc cable and going to activate it myself plus changing the customize setting myself and sell the cable out afterward. The alarms seems very easy to install, just some plug and unplug and it will be done. Even a caveman can do!!!!

 

That is the fear! Looks like you have to open up pieces of the dashboard and doorsill and reroute some cables under the hood. I'd rather not disassemble my brand new car on my own.

 

I bought a Nylon Pry Tool Set from Habor Freight for $3.99 to make sure I am not going to leave any scratch mark when I do it. So far that is what I used to pop the lens out for my interior lights and they works great.

 

I would go with the Toyota Integrated unit myself. I like to be able to have the use of the Original Fob without any other Keyfobs!

2nd, I would install this if your in a high crime area and wish to deter someone from stealing your car, but the car itself, can not be started or hot wired very easily. It is very difficult. Even for pro's. This was per the Police Department in my area. So... I would like to think they are correct.

If you want interior protection, then go for it. If not, the car if broken into, is very difficult to steal... There are some posts on this topic as well.

 

Unless you live in a high crime neighborhood, and the car is in your garage, it is not worth the trouble. Nobody pays any attention to the alarm. After they break the glass anything you have sitting in the seat or floor is gone in seconds.

If you carry expensive items in your car, hide them.

Your car cannot be stolen without extensive knowledge and work to get it to run.

Honestly it just isnt worth it. Save the $300 for the replacement of your broken window if anyone should ever want to break into your car. An alarm will not stop them from trying.

 

That's probably true, but as someone once pointed out to me if you hear your own alarm going off you sure as heck are going to run out to find out what's going on!

 

Maybe you can get their license plate number as you watch them drive off.

 

Technically, the vip 3200 is ONLY a glass breakage sensor... and maybe a sensor to sound the alarm if someone prys open the hood. The remotes, immobilizer, horn, etc. are already installed in your car. Your dealer will just add the glass breakage and hood hardware to the car.

The price at my dealership was $315, which is less than Toyota's msrp. But I've seen the price at other dealerships in the $600 range. THAT, is ridiculous.

 

Wow! Thats a lot of money to tell you what you can plainly see with your own eyes, that your glass has been broken and your car burglarized.

I would rather spend the money on a security camera for my garage/driveway to video tape the burglar. The alarm wont stop the window from being broken, but it might make them take whatever they are after in your car a little faster.

As for places other than your home, the burglar will still break the glass and get whatever valuables they want. The people who hear the alarm will just complain about the noise.

Carry on!

 

Like most other security measures, this is primarily a deterrent. The thieves know what to look for. If they see a club on the wheel, they move on. If they see a flashing red light on the dash, they move on. They probably know to look for the toyota glass breakage insert on the dash board. It's all about making the thief think that he shouldn't even bother with your car, because there are plenty of cars that don't have any security measures at all that will make his work a lot easier.

 

True. I also understand its a "feel good" thing for some people. But if you have a phone, shopping bag, anything of value in plain view, crooks will break your window and take it and be gone before anybody gives a rats behind about the alarm making noise. Bad people will not let a small red light stand between them and easy money.

On the other hand, I think all cars should come with alarms. But mine didnt so I am not going to waste more of my money on one. I will save the money to get my window replaced, if anyone decides they need to break my glass.

 

Well that is just common sense and another method of deterring a thief from attempting a break-in. If there is nothing good to steal that is visibile, then it isn't worth trying and looking for something that has been hidden.

I'm glad that the Prius comes standard with the cargo cover and has the storage box under the trunk floor. Put your valuables there and nobody will ever see them.

 

I just installed the alarm myself 10 mins ago. Took me like 1.5 hrs for the whole installation. I followed the whole installation guide from the Toyota Tech and it is basically plug and unplug. If your car doesn't have the Remote Start installed, then you just have to follow the regular steps and the steps that said V5 only and you will be fine. I spend most of my time taking off the panel and putting it back so nothing will break. Now just have to plug the car into techstream to activate it. Some dealer charge the parts for $300 something plus 2 hrs of labor for the whole installation that is why someone said they charge $600 for it. So far I spend $258 for my alarm and I will activate it myself once my cable gets here, but other said they found dealership can activate it for them for around $50. ( My dealers charge me for customize settings for $100 but still refuse to turn off my seatbelt warning beep and the alarm activation for ($200) so I have to get the cable to get the setup I want) The VIP R3200 Alarm will be on when someone trying to force into your car from doors, hood and truck and also comes with the glass breakage sensor. I am pretty sure even without the alarm, they pretty much can't steal the car, but I am just afraid people trying to steal the stuff inside of my car.

 

On the installation guide, I think it meant does your car have a hood switch or not instead of do you want to install RS3200 hood switch. I could be wrong, but since my car does have a hood switch so I skipped that step. And the kit does comes with the parts for that hood switch instruction, it is just a pinky size plastic part.