Post rust issues from winter diving

my daughters 04 has 2 years in vermont and 4 in boston area. clean as a whistle and i doubt the salt gets much worse than around new england.

 

This must be yet another sign of the Toyota quality going downhill: My 2009 (bought brand new) has become very rusty after only one winter around the same area.

See here for pictures of the rusty exhaust system: (don't look if you suffer from depression - it's not going to be pleasant)
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-visual-inspection-dummies-2.html#post1115382

 

Just to stay ahead of the game as far as rust goes, I've been going over my newly acquired 2008 (31,000 miles), with a spray can of CRC brand "Heavy Duty" (Marine grade) rust inhibitor/protectant. Anything I can reach in the way of bolts or exposed metal (except the muffler surfaces (which isn't too bad yet at any rate) that show signs of rust or might eventually (with the winter roads here in Ohio). It leaves a kind of amber colored coating that I hope will stop or prevent any unpleasant surprises in the future. That along with a good grade of rubber protectant applied to the boots and seals, gives me a bit of reassurance that at least I've done what I can to fight off the Gremlins in that department.

 

i can't believe you're not getting a ton of rust pix!

 

I don't think you have laid under many cars. There is nothing wrong in the pics, pretty much completly normal. I'm sure part of the reason that exhaust systems get rusty first is.

1. you can't paint them.
2. Even if you did paint them/rust coat them or mix something in with the metal before you form it, the heat from running the car would just release the cemicals into the air thus causing more problems.

 

It did have some light rust on a few bolt heads, bottom axle areas etc. where the black paint had abraded. A bit in the engine compartment in the usual suspect areas (engine mount bolt recessed areas where moisture accumulates), but not severe.

The vehicle spent its first two years of life in Pennsylvania according to the Carfax.

 

This thread seems a bit "trollish".

Rust issues can happen with any vehicle. I'm sure you are going to get a percentage, or at least a few people that perceive or have found rust. But you would get that from any segment or group on the road.

Some good suggestions about prevention, or dealing with issues once discovered but why the indignation that Prius Owners must not be looking hard enough? Maybe The Prius doesn't have any greater issues than any other car? Maybe it typically isn't a problem?

Compared to some SUV's, Trucks or Jeeps, I'd guess perhaps The Prius benefits from an ownership base that A: Keeps their Prius garaged more often than parked in the elements, and B: Is generally NOT taking them off-roading or for rides on beaches. So my guess is that rust damage for a Prius is probably less than for most vehicles.

Unless your speculation and contention is that Toyota's quality has declined in this area, then I wouldn't expect this to be more of an issue than with any car on the road.

 

Mine looked pretty much the same as the ones in those photos underneath after I'd had it a few months - it still looks exactly the same after five years, it's in the UK where it rains a lot. To me, those pictures just look like surface rust, you're never going to stop that unless you park your car in a dehumidified garage and dry every inch of it every time you get back home. Remember the underside of a vehicle is getting peppered with bits of gravel and small stones constantly, there's no practical way to prevent some surface rust - espcially on an exhaust system which is constantly heating up and getting cold and subjected to all the gravel and dirt that flies around underneath a car.

 

A heated garage in winter only increases the rust... leave the salt slurry as a solid at -20 c rather than let it melt.

 

For anyone planning to keep their Prius a long time, in a northern climate, rust or collision damage will likely determine the end.

I have a 1994 Accord that has a perfect drive-train but is starting to rust out. It would have been very helpful to know 10 years ago where the problem rust areas would be.

So it would be helpful to know if anyone is experiencing rust and where. I suspect we will have issues around the rear fenders and the bottom of the tailgate and doors.

 

Considering it doesn't snow much here in Hampton, VA...I doubt the car will see salt or even sand if by some miracle it does snow I guess my wife will have a flash back of home, Michigan.

Thank god we don't live in that state, I can remember going there and saying out loud wow this state sure does have some dirty cars, don't get me wrong the snow was nice and Michigan has all 4 seasons where we don't.

I guess if you don't have a garage or place your vehicle in storage you will have problems, salt or sand takes its toll on any vehicle, even a Prius.

 

The pictures referred to in this thread show a very normal level of surface rust for one winter anywhere salt is used on the roads. If washed regularly and the underside rinsed once a year the car will last 10 years in a salt environment, but it will have some significant rust at that point. If you wish to have the body/underside last longer, apply one of the spray oil type products once per year before winter (egs Krown or Rustcheck). Then, along with proper care, you should get 15 years out of the body.

Cheers.

PS - Prius owners inspect under their cars as much as any group of owners. Your comment makes me wonder about your reasons for posting.

 

I live 300 miles inland in Mississippi, my Prius is at way more at risk from rednecks than rust.

 

Ski,

My 2008 has a rustly muffler and mounts just like yours. Forward of the muffler, the exhaust looks likes yours. Yes I am not happy with the rusty muffler, but forward of the muffler, I wouldn't worry about it, as it is stainless steel. The stainless is used to hold up to the high temps generated by the cat convertors and for emission warranty purposes.

The rest of my undercarriage shows a little surface rust - nothing serious, but will keep a eye on this condition.

I inspect evevy 6 months (or when I do the tire rotation) - good to get in the practice on keeping up with the preventive maintenance issues.

DBCASSIDY