ECU question...

[GT-S Racer]

Does anyone know if the ecu keeps track of mileage seperate from the odometer on the celica? The reason is, I have been considering buying the TRD gauge cluster (if I can find it...any advice?) to try to get out of the milage penalty that is forthcoming on my lease. Since the odometer is contained in the cluster, I thought it would be the way to go, besides, I like the idea of the tach being in the center. It may come in handy for autocrosses or track days. Thanks

[autxr]

As far as I know it is all in the cluster ,the TRD one will reset it to zero.

Of course not noting the milage and truthfully disclosing it at the time the car is given back will make you a criminal in all 50 states (and in the eyes of most people).

It's up to you.

Scott

PS: Having a big tach in the middle would be nice.

[GT-S Racer]

Well, speeding on the highway also makes me a criminal in all 50 states, so I figure what the heck. In all honesty I'll most likely be buying the car, so I guess it doesn't really matter. Thanks

[autxr]

Big difference difference between a civil infraction and a felony. You meet much nicer men after commiting a felony. I hope you aren't cute...

It would be pretty easy to prove a case against you since the gauge cluster has been changed...

This is from a Georgia web site, most states are comparable...

"ODOMETER TAMPERING IS ILLEGAL UNDER STATE AND FEDERAL LAW
Violators of state and federal odometer tampering laws can be sentenced to jail for up to 3 years in prison and/or be ordered to pay up to a $50,000 fine per violation.

Victims of odometer fraud, whether they be consumers or automobile dealers, have the right to sue under both state and federal law. Victims must prove:

That the odometer mileage was misrepresented on the vehicle,
The person or entity who made or was responsible for the misrepresentation, and
That there was an intent to defraud.
The court will award the victim 3 times his/her actual damages, or a minimum amount of $1,500 (whichever is greater), plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees."

Scott

[Maelfyn]

Scott is right. It's all in the gauge cluster. If you are considering reselling the car, the best thing you could do is keep your old gauges and keep track of true milage that way. Show people your TRD gauge milage, then plug the wire harness into your OEM cluster and show them the milage on that.

Of course, people will generally be scared away since you are tampering with the car, especially with the odometer. But some people won't mind it as long as you are honest about it.

[autxr]

The questions was how he could be *dis*honest, not honest. The goal here is to commit fraud against the lease agent.

Scott

[nxracer]

The other question is... Are you allowed to "mod" a leased car? After all it's really not yours, more of a long rental.

[Bling]

The TRD guage cluster will also void your warranty. Thats what happened to Larry.

[GTS LAID]

yup ... they told him that before he installed it he should have signed a waiver that discloses the mileage and then had the gauge cluster installed... That way it doesnt void your warranty

[GT-S Racer]

I guess I've had a change of heart. I didn't know Larry got his warranty voided for that. Consider it a moment of weakness... It is curious, however, that the ecu doesn't keep track of mileage, considering the other little tidbits it "remembers"...but I still like the idea of the big tach...

By the way, you are allowed to mod a lease as long as there is no permanent dammage (i.e. bolt on parts), at least thats what I was told when I bought it a year and a half ago

[tool462]

I may be mistaken, but I think the ECU keeps track of the mileage too. That's how they detect mileage fraud, by comparing the reading on the odometer to the reading in the ECU. If there's an unexplained discrepancy, you get in big trouble.