I'm a born-in-the-wool skeptic, and this seems like the perfect P.T.Barnum snake oil. Anyone found any rigorous or scientific analysis on the device/method of rust protection other than anecdotal stories? I'd love to be proven wrong and have a relatively inexpensive, easy to install method of rust protection, but if it is so great why isn't Toyota (and other manufacturers) using the technology as OEM?

I bought a VW Passat years ago that had one of those devices on it (it came from Florida and was a lease vehicle). They took it off when the lease stopped. I could see no evidence that it worked. No rust on it when I bought it and no rust on it when I gave it to my son many years later.

I put those devices in the snake oil category. Dropped the price to $495? Dealer was just willing to make only $495 pure profit.

 

I agree that it's snake oil, but is a lack of rust from a vehicle coming from Florida a good indicator? I want to see someone use this sort of rust protection on a vehicle coming from Alaska or Finland. That'd be definite proof.

 

I am an electrical engineering technician and I advise you not to purchase such a product for a car as rust protection.
I don't want to go into the technical details of this supposed electronic rust remover, it doesn't work. You would be much better off going to a center like KROWN.
Don't fall for this scam.

 

107% SCAM

if this worked it would be preinstalled on all vehicles.

manufacturers could save multiple millions on advanced coatings and dips
and switch to cheaper options along with this magical scam device if it worked at all

FLEET vehicles would all have it. the mining industry would be using it everywhere.

fact is, it's BOGUS.

you need to be continually dipped in an electrolyte for it to work. boats
and ships are, your automobile is not.

 

They got me too, but it was the worst month to get a car so I let it slide.

There is an impressive piece of paper with it, but I'm sure they know all the ways to not-honor the promises.

I took it off to plugin the Carista.

 

You should check out the RustStop RS-5 (12V) Heavy Duty Electronic Rust Protection device. Lots of technical information on their site (not able to send the link) that appears sensible. On their FAQ page, one Q and A goes like this:
Q: I have heard that cathodic protection will only be effective if the metal is submerged in water and is ineffective in dry conditions?
A: That is true for “classical cathodic protection” systems. RustStop® RS-5 uses an advanced dual protection enabling protection in atmospheric (open air) conditions. RustStop® RS-5 uses a high-bonding open-cell tape on the Anodes (Rust Magnets™) which allows conductivity and protection even under the lightest of moisture. The anodes are placed where they will get wet whenever the vehicle is wet due to rain, atmospheric moisture and dew, meaning that protection is achieved around each anode during the highest risk periods. Each anode provides protection to the local area surrounding it, and when multiple anodes are fitted, this protection area can be overlapped, providing all over protection.

I anticipate that we will be installing the heavy duty RS-5 on my daughter's Rav 4 as soon as we can get one shipped. Our mechanic (where I happen to work in the office) has personal experience with electronic rust inhibitors, and says they have protected his personal vehicle for 8 years - no rust!

 

Each anode provides protection to the local area surrounding it, and when multiple anodes are fitted,

That is making sense, but how many anodes you need? How much heavier does car become? 😀

 

^ still a scam



it won't work, that is all

 

Don’t buy the electronic rust control module. A few decades ago, it was at dealerships in Canada and I believe it was proven inaccurate in it‘s claims so the governing body had it removed. It has come back to some of our dealership the past several years.

Stick with a thicker annual oil spray. In Canada I switched to Corrosion Free in 2020 after using RustChek then Krown for about 30 years previously. I’ve read several great things about Fluid Film also but it is just not widely available in Canada Unless I want to buy spray cans and do it myself.