Anti Corossion Protection 2007 Model Corolla

[Colombia]

Hello, I am a YANK from across the pond. Hello to my British brothers. Just purchased a 2007 Corolla sedan here in Colombia since I will be here for several years, the car was assembled in Toyota´s Venezuela plant.

This is my FIRST Toyota and the first time I have ever lived on a COASTAL CITY near salt water, so I am seeking some advice from those of you who live near the water and have experience with owning a Toyota.

Should I be worried about corossion from the salt water or do all Toyota´s have anti corossion treatment done at the assembly plant?

What is the best way to care for my new care to prevent or reduce the threat of corossion from salt water?

One last question, does it do any good to spray the cloth seats with SCOTCHGUARD or is that a waist of time and mnoey?

ANY ADVICE OR COMMENTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANKS !!!!

[Norfolk n Chance]

First off, welcome to the club!!

With regards to the corrosion, over here all Toyota's have a 12 year Anti-Perforation Warranty. So it should stay rust free!!

Just clean and wax your car on a regular basis, or you could always move!

I was told by a Toyota salesman not to bother with Scotchguard!!

Hope this helps!!

[Geriatric]

I live by the sea in the Algarve hot summers and high humidity. My Corolla is three years old and is perfect. Ten year old models show no signs of deterioration so I do not think you need do anything special.

Ice with salt on the roads is much more demanding and regular cleaning the underneath desirable.

[Twincam.GTi]

For years/decades Manufactures have claimed that their cars “now have this new ‘super dooper/wonder potion / paint protection /anti rust protection etc …’ to make your car last”

…but for those of us who live in this rainy damp island called Britain, we know a vehicle when used as everyday transport eventually will ROT (not just rust, were talking total ROT/corrosion here).

So the name of the game is to prolong the inevitable.

My advice (especially when the car is young) is to apply (on a dry day – we do have a couple a year ) Waxoil or Dinitrol on the undersides, inject into box sections/chassis rail, inside doorframes and around suspension mounts.

As for the ’12 year anti corrosion protection’ warranty this is not as good as first seems:

Usually the car has to be inspected by a main dealer each year; at your cost!

The warranty does not include ‘fair wear and tear’, e.g. if you have corrosion around wheel arches or front edge of bonnet they could argue that it was initially caused by stones chipping the paint away, in other words caused by ‘fair wear and tear’

Remember it is a perforation warranty and NOT a paint defect warranty/surface rust warranty.

Obviously they would not argue with a panel rotting through on a 3 year old car, but you would probably have some trouble claiming against the Manufacturer if the car was say 11 year old.

Having said all the above I do accept paint protection is better in the last 20 years (to me it was the 80’s when things started to get better) but … although a 60’s or 70’s car rusted bad (e.g. When the car was at approx 8 years old you would have to do welding on a Morris Marina, Ford Anglia or Vauxhall Viva) at least the metal was thicker (except the French with there Simcas ) and thus easier to weld. These days when a car (from the 80’s and a few from the early 90’s) does finally need welding the metal is thinner and (in my opinion) more ‘impure’ in its make up and thus the welding is not so easy.