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Do I need UnderCarriage Treatment for Florida Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by evtran, Nov 14, 2011.

  1. evtran

    evtran New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2011
    58
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    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hi all,

    I recently purchased a 2010 Prius from Florida. I am located in Minnesota. There is of course a lot of salt and snow up here in the Winter. One of my friends asked me if I had under carriage treament done since the car was from Florida, which caused some concern for me. He also noted that cars sold in the north automatically get this treatment.

    So my question. Is this a real or valid concern for people who buy cars from the south and bring it up north? Or is this just what dealers try to get you to buy what you don't need?

    I've always just pulled my cars into a carwash with an undercarriage wash once a month during the winter months.

    Any insights on this would be greatlly appreciated.

    Take care!
    Evtran
     
    #1 evtran, Nov 14, 2011
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
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    1,512
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I think you should get something done. I bought a salvage '06 Sequoia that was licensed in Minnesota. It appeared not to have had any kind of treatment. The chassis is already quite rusty. All exposed nuts and bolts required PB Blaster, and, in some cases, the torch. I could not remove the rear stabilizer links, because the hex interior has rusted away, so that was a Sawzall job. I can see where parts of the frame would have been rusted through with another 5 winters.

    The body, on the other hand, is still perfect, as the anticorrosion treatment from the factory is excellent.
     
    #2 seilerts, Nov 14, 2011
    Fostel and evtran like this.
  3. evtran

    evtran New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2011
    58
    1
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    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Called the Local dealer. Apparently, not all cars in MN/North get the anti corrosion treatment by default. It's extra option that they offer when selling a new car that you can also get on your own cars for 400 bucks. Thanks.
     
    #3 evtran, Nov 14, 2011
  4. ebenke

    ebenke Eco Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2011
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    Location:
    Where it warm and sunny
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    From the dealer, no way.
     
    #4 ebenke, Nov 14, 2011
  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
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    Location:
    California - SF Bay area
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    You may do more damage with the "treatment". There are a series of plastic trays under the 2010's for aerodynamics. Each of these might need to be removed and replaced after they spray on their gunk. I would wait to get the option of other Prius owners from the snow country.
     
    #5 xpcman, Nov 14, 2011
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