Replace front passenger seat cushion

[Reidog]

I put my groceries on my passenger seat and the lid came off a jar of artichokes in oil and spilled into my seat. I took it to a detailer to see if they could get it out and they couldn't. Every time you push on the cushion the oil seeps up through the perforations and they said I would need to replace the cushion. Additionally, the seat warmer no longer works on the seat. I called Toyota and they told me the cushion would be ~$275 and the seat warmer ~$326. My cousin works for a dealership in the service department and said he could get the parts at a discount but labor would be approximately $500-$700. My brother is in a car club and knows a car upholsterer, who said if I got the parts, he would charge me $100 an hour for labor (said it would take about 2 hours).

So my question is, if the seat is taken apart, will it set off alarms, etc. And if so, once it's put back together, will alarms, etc. reset or do I need to bring the car into a dealership to clear any codes? Also, does any of this void warranty?

I'm trying to decide if it's worth having a upholsterer do the labor, given the stealership wants to charge me an arm and a leg for diagnostics if something isn't under warranty.

 

[PACruiser]

Is fixing the seat after an artichoke oil spill covered under warranty?

 

[FarooqMCSE]

I put my groceries on my passenger seat and the lid came off a jar of artichokes in oil and spilled into my seat. I took it to a detailer to see if they could get it out and they couldn't. Every time you push on the cushion the oil seeps up through the perforations and they said I would need to replace the cushion. Additionally, the seat warmer no longer works on the seat. I called Toyota and they told me the cushion would be ~$275 and the seat warmer ~$326. My cousin works for a dealership in the service department and said he could get the parts at a discount but labor would be approximately $500-$700. My brother is in a car club and knows a car upholsterer, who said if I got the parts, he would charge me $100 an hour for labor (said it would take about 2 hours).

So my question is, if the seat is taken apart, will it set off alarms, etc. And if so, once it's put back together, will alarms, etc. reset or do I need to bring the car into a dealership to clear any codes? Also, does any of this void warranty?

I'm trying to decide if it's worth having a upholsterer do the labor, given the stealership wants to charge me an arm and a leg for diagnostics if something isn't under warranty.

Hi ReiDog,
So sorry to read about your loss. I frequently carry food in my cruiser. Your posting is an eye opener for me.
I thank you for posting it. Expense to fix your seat is just too much. How about an oil absorbent layer or 2 , while you carry a heavy weight on the seat to make it dry out in a month or so.

 

[Reidog]

Is fixing the seat after an artichoke oil spill covered under warranty?

I wish!

 

[Reidog]

Hi ReiDog,
So sorry to read about your loss. I frequently carry food in my cruiser. Your posting is an eye opener for me.
I thank you for posting it. Expense to fix your seat is just too much. How about an oil absorbent layer or 2 , while you carry a heavy weight on the seat to make it dry out in a month or so.

Maybe I should give it some time to dry out? I’d leave it except the seat warmer isn’t working. I figure the labor to replace seat warmer is going to be the same as replacing both warmer and cushion since you have to take apart the seat anyways but could be wrong.

 

[MJE]

Thank you for the warning that I should be more careful about just setting groceries on the front seat & not using at least the floorboard, if not the cargo area as I should. I’m bad for grabbing a quick bag, setting it on the seat for a short distance, & thinking nothing will happen. Good luck in getting everything fixed up again!

 

[ultane]

Take home message.. groceries in the back..

 

[EOD Guy]

I'm not sure on the Toyotas, but I know for a fact the Mercedes Benz, you must disconnect the battery and let it sit for 45 minutes or you will get a SRS light that can only be reset by the dealer.

My advice would be to disconnect the NEG battery cable and the black plug right next to it and turn on the headlights for at least 10 min. Oil would probably remain in the foam for a very long time but with some simple green and a shop vac, once the cover is pulled back, you should get 95% of it out. Let it air dry for a day before you put the cover back on. If it were me, I'd try to remove the seat bottom cover myself, but I'd also quit if it wasn't coming off very easy and take the seat to your brother in law's friend.