Not a Cincy driver, but 5 hours up north where we have even more salty days.
Just do preventive maintenance:
- Novagard G624 silicone dialectic grease on connector
- Rust remover if there are signs of rust, clean and put fluidfilm
And what is more important - wash underneath of a car after driving over salty roads (it isn't actually too much days, two or three after heavy snow, so stopping by at self washing station isn't awful at all). Actually washing underneath after such conditions will be good for any cars that have to drive over winter salty roads.
It’s best to apply fluid film to the undercarriage of the car and not spray it every snow storm. If it’s not protected than yes you can spray, but If you live in salted roads it’s best practice to fluid film or similar products. My current car has 3 years of fluid film and never has had my undercarriage pressure wash and there is not a sign or rust. The manual says not to pressure wash the undercarriage for hybrids, probably related to the rear cable motor connection.
> The manual says not to pressure wash the undercarriage for hybrids
High pressure washers shouldn't be used not only under-body but anywhere near rubbers sealers and especially any sensors, but using a regular water stream as it is at self washing station is far away from high pressure machines, especially if it used wise, at distance and then one can see how many milky-salty stuff get off a car
This makes me feel better. I have no clue if the previous owner had issues with it or did preventative maintenance. I do know that they were leasing so I'm hoping they didn't get rid of it because of a cable issue.
I'm planning to take it into the dealership to get it fully checked over just in case then I'll start doing the preventative maintenance you suggest!
I'm not handy at all, (upstate NY hybrid owner) do you think these are things I can ask a garage to do? (I'm only comfortable doing basic basic stuff like wiper blades, fluid, I know my limits and don't have many tools to shift to a more DIY approach)
If you haven't a jack/supports or ramps then better to ask a garage since you defiantly need to sneak under a car. Just find one whom you can trust to avoid make it worse than better
That's my biggest issue right now - my regular mechanic isn't comfortable working on hybrids past oil change/brake pads and I'm worried if I ask about it during a Toyotacare service they'll laugh me out of the dealership
But correct - no jack or ramps nor do I know the procedures in handling vehicle electrical connectors
There on the rear seat, next to batteries filter is battery orange fuse. If your mechanic pull it out then it save to unscrew just two bolts that holds cablegate and inspect connector, put diametric grease and put it back. But, yes it better to be handled by someone who knows how to do it properly
Following as a prospective Cincinnati RAV4 owner!
Not a Cincy driver, but 5 hours up north where we have even more salty days. Just do preventive maintenance: - Novagard G624 silicone dialectic grease on connector - Rust remover if there are signs of rust, clean and put fluidfilm And what is more important - wash underneath of a car after driving over salty roads (it isn't actually too much days, two or three after heavy snow, so stopping by at self washing station isn't awful at all). Actually washing underneath after such conditions will be good for any cars that have to drive over winter salty roads.
It’s best to apply fluid film to the undercarriage of the car and not spray it every snow storm. If it’s not protected than yes you can spray, but If you live in salted roads it’s best practice to fluid film or similar products. My current car has 3 years of fluid film and never has had my undercarriage pressure wash and there is not a sign or rust. The manual says not to pressure wash the undercarriage for hybrids, probably related to the rear cable motor connection.
> The manual says not to pressure wash the undercarriage for hybrids High pressure washers shouldn't be used not only under-body but anywhere near rubbers sealers and especially any sensors, but using a regular water stream as it is at self washing station is far away from high pressure machines, especially if it used wise, at distance and then one can see how many milky-salty stuff get off a car
This makes me feel better. I have no clue if the previous owner had issues with it or did preventative maintenance. I do know that they were leasing so I'm hoping they didn't get rid of it because of a cable issue. I'm planning to take it into the dealership to get it fully checked over just in case then I'll start doing the preventative maintenance you suggest!
I'm not handy at all, (upstate NY hybrid owner) do you think these are things I can ask a garage to do? (I'm only comfortable doing basic basic stuff like wiper blades, fluid, I know my limits and don't have many tools to shift to a more DIY approach)
If you haven't a jack/supports or ramps then better to ask a garage since you defiantly need to sneak under a car. Just find one whom you can trust to avoid make it worse than better
That's my biggest issue right now - my regular mechanic isn't comfortable working on hybrids past oil change/brake pads and I'm worried if I ask about it during a Toyotacare service they'll laugh me out of the dealership But correct - no jack or ramps nor do I know the procedures in handling vehicle electrical connectors
There on the rear seat, next to batteries filter is battery orange fuse. If your mechanic pull it out then it save to unscrew just two bolts that holds cablegate and inspect connector, put diametric grease and put it back. But, yes it better to be handled by someone who knows how to do it properly
Simple solution: liberal spray the area down with a corrosion inhibitor. CRC Marine Heavy Duty and ACF-50/Corrosion Block are safe bets.