Water Coolant Valve/ Oil Temp Sensor part of Powertrain???

Hello!
It's been a while since I've posted. CT attorney general's office finally received a response from Toyota Corp. Toyota is stating water coolant valve and oil temp sensor are part of the powertrain. Please help me understand this. CA dealerships consider these parts part of the emissions.

Otherwise my 2009 Prius still has a small chug a lug sensation sometimes when idling at stop light or if I've just started car but pause a bit before driving off. I hope to duplicate it at next oil change.

Thanks!
Maria

 

Thanks for your responses. I skipped some details because I had spelled them out at an earlier date and wasn't sure if I should ask these questions on old post or start new.

Back when I was dealing with repair (and losing sleep over it because I was given multiple conflicting answers by dealerships), CA dealerships were telling me they cover these parts under CA emissions warranty. My car has CA emissions warranty because it was originally purchased and now registered in state (CT) that honors CA emissions warranty. Maybe these CA dealerships were covering it when they shouldn't have been. They even confirmed with vin #.

Under CA emissions "performance" warranty, Prius manual states Toyota has to make repairs if car isn't passing emissions test. Emissions tester in CA and CT said car wouldn't pass test if engine light was on and these parts were failing. Prius presently has 116,000 miles on it. CA emissions warranty is for 150,000 miles or 10 yrs. Same for hybrid battery I think. Sorry it's late and I got a flat tire in the blazing heat today so I'm not thinking clearly.

Maybe parts aren't expensive but labor is and I can only do basic air filter changes myself. I can't afford to pay for repairs that are covered under warranty. I was initially quoted about $800 total. Toyota has reimbursed me but I was asking question so I could better understand their logic. The wording of the emissions performance warranty is very misleading.

Thanks again.

 

Hi Patrick I explained situation regarding CA emissions warranty in my previous post. My 2009 Prius apparently has an oil temp sensor since they did replaced it. I do get what you are saying about the coolant valve. I was expecting coolant valve to be covered under emissions warranty because it's being covered in CA. My Prius supposedly has the CA emissions warranty per Toyota Corp which means I have the same warranty whether in CA or CT since CT honors CA emissions warranty.

Thanks for your help.

 

CT is the same situation. Yes, ridiculous it is. BTW the chug a lug sensation....someone had mentioned as miles increase this sensation can become more noticeable. Maybe that's what has happened although it's quite startling to have the car actually make a jerking movement while I'm siting in parking lot or have gotten out of car to get something out of back seat. This does not seem right but no engine light on so I've been letting it go for now. I like to catch things before they become a crisis due to my tight budget. Couldn't duplicate for mechanic last time but I think I'll be able to next time. Thanks again!

 

Trying to decide whether to go to dealership for diagnostic while getting cheap oil change or take it to independent mechanic (same labor costs) who has been hybrid trained. He was able to diagnose a noise under front of car that dealership didn't even notice. I thought my shocks were starting to go on left front side : } and it was the heat shield or whatever that big black plastic piece is under front of car. It needs to be replaced or reattached. Clips broke off in one area.

 

Good idea! I never set it because everything is flat around here. Anytime I've used it I forget to release it. : } Need to put a post it up or something. Thanks!

 

Hi Bisco...116,000. Remember me with the record breaking posts when I was buying this car?? : )

Help!!!
I'm searching posts for tire recommendations but tires are no longer available per tire store. I'm on my old iPhone and don't see area for posting new post here so I'm asking hoping someone sees this. I live in CT and need all season since I can't afford snow tires. Flat can't be repaired. : (

Thanks!

 

Thanks, Kevin. I will look them up right now. Any thoughts on Michelin Defender? Thanks so much!

Never mind...I just looked at chart and saw that defender doesn't perform as well. Thanks!

 

Just read through some reviews. Both brands have issues but I wouldn't buy Michelin Defender after reading reviews. Continental not good on ice which is my biggest fear having been in a bad 360 spin as a youngster. I don't understand why there isn't a tire company that makes an all around great tire. I've used General Altimax several times not by choice. Wouldn't buy again due to tread life. None of these tires last anywhere near the rated mileage.

 

Well...that makes sense. : ) Wish I could afford winter tires. Maybe some day. I'm home and posted my tire question as a new post. I really appreciate you explaining the reasons behind all of this. My brain really likes to know why. : ) Thanks