| The Salt Lake Tribune Feb. 2--They're here. The first of the repair kits with parts for Toyota's sticky gas pedals have arrived at one local dealer, and more are expected there and at other dealerships by week's end, though the wait is not quite over for customers. SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS With 2.3 million vehicles being recalled in the United State alone -- 4.3 million worldwide -- it will take time for letters to be sent to owners nationwide authorizing the repair. Owners are expected to start receiving information by mail later this week. The company will cover all costs. Local dealers anticipate repairs will begin by the end of the week or early next week. Salt Lake City's Mark Miller, who has eight new pedal assemblies on hand, said "we'll be developing a plan over the next few days" to determine a schedule for repairs for the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of customers he expects will be driving into his service department with Toyota letters in their hands. He hopes the letters go out "in waves" rather than all at once, so fixes can be scheduled in an orderly fashion. Competitor Tony Schnurr, president of the Larry H. Miller Automotive Division, said he met with his staff Monday morning to develop a repair plan. "We have no idea how many to expect. Many of our original buyers may have moved out of the area, and we may get owners who bought from other dealerships." Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it thinks it has come up with a fix for the pedals, which the automaker believes are responsible for reports of sudden acceleration in eight of its models. Last week, production and sales of those models were halted, with production set to resume next week. The fix, however, won't be the installation of complete pedal kits such as the ones Miller had available Monday. Robert Hensen, one of Miller's master diagnostic technicians, said the majority of repairs will involve removing the existing pedal assembly, taking it apart and inserting a "precision-cut steel reinforcement bar" from the kits and other supplies. The unit will then be reassembled and reinstalled, he said. The bar "keeps the pedal from binding" and ensures it will "return to idle" when the foot is removed, said Hensen. Miller and Schnurr said they expect to extend service center hours, though are uncertain whether they will open around the clock during the height of the recall, as some East Coast dealerships have said they will do. "We have 10 master technicians who are certified to do the work", Miller said. "They've told us they are willing to work whatever hours are necessary." The manufacturer's comments Monday included an apology from Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales. In a video clip, he said he wanted to "sincerely apologize to Toyota owners. I know that our recalls have caused many of you concern, and for that I am truly sorry." Toyota recalled the vehicles Jan. 21, determining that excess friction in the gas pedal assembly could, in rare cases, cause the pedals to stick. Sudden acceleration in vehicles has been linked to fatal crashes. Engineers traced the problem to a friction device in the assembly that is supposed to provide the proper pedal "feel" by adding resistance, Toyota said in a statement. The device has a shoe that rubs against a nearby metal surface during normal pedal use. But wear and environmental conditions can over time cause the pedals to not operate smoothly -- or in rare cases stick partially open. Experts outside the company say the problem might not be with the pedals but with electrical systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told Toyota last week it was satisfied with the repair plan. Legally, Toyota did not need the agency's approval, but the company would be unlikely to proceed without the government's blessing. Toyota told its dealers in an e-mail they should determine what vehicles to repair first. The company said it "strongly recommends dealers prioritize consumer vehicles first, followed by dealer-owned inventory." The repairs are expected to take about 30 minutes of work, and drivers should not notice any change in the feel of the pedal. The reality, however, is to expect about an hour's wait, Miller said. "By the time we do all the paperwork, do the repair and then wash the vehicle -- it is our practice to wash all cars that come in for service -- it will take an hour." Toyota said not all the models of Camry, RAV4, Corolla and Highlander listed in the recall have gas pedals that are being repaired, which were made by CTS Corp. of Elkhart, Ind. Models made in Japan, and some models built in the U.S., have pedal systems made by another parts supplier, Denso Corp., which function well. jkeahey@sltrib.com The Associated Press contributed to this story. TOYOTA MODELS AFFECTED: 2009-10 RAV4 crossover, 2009-10 Corolla, 2009-10 Matrix hatchback, 2005-10 Avalon, 2007-10 Camry, 2010 Highlander crossover, 2007-10 Tundra pickup and 2008-10 Sequoia SUV. REPAIR SCHEDULE STILL UNKNOWN: Don't call Toyota's toll-free customer service number. You need to call a local dealership, but Toyota wants you to wait for the certified letter, which will confirmyour car is included in the recall. Because there are so many cars involved, Toyota wants owners to have an appointment before arriving at a dealership to avoid a crush and long waits. Dealers are discussing whether to begin extended hours to make repairs and, if so, when. Details, such as whether Toyota Motor Corp. letters will go to owners all at once or in waves still need to be worked out. Dealers are told their priority in making repairs should be owners first and then vehicles already in lot inventories. WHAT'S NEXT FOR TOYOTA EXECUTIVES: The repairs will not bring an end to public scrutiny on how Toyota handled its problems. The U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is launching a probe, with a hearing set Feb. 10 at which Yoshi Inaba, chairman and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, will testify. Separately, a House investigative panel is planning a Feb. 25 hearing.
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