The metal plate that will remedy the sticking gas pedals of millions of Toyotas costs all of 15 cents and should take no more than 10 minutes to install.

Those estimates were provided yesterday by Toyota dealer Ed Tarbox, who invited the news media to attend the first of clinics aimed at training 30 of the dealer’s technicians in the procedure.

And it appears technicians will get plenty of practice.

Given the reaction to two massive recalls involving the accelerator pedals on many of the manufacturer’s most popular models, Tarbox expects to get 8,000 telephone calls and e-mails from Toyota owners.

And while Toyota USA is advising car owners they will get a recall letter in the next few days, Tarbox is taking proactive measures to the unprecedented recall.

He acknowledges this is not an experience a Toyota owner wants to go through – filling out paperwork and taking time out of their day for a problem that may never occur with their vehicle.

He wants to make it as painless as possible. For that reason he said installing the devices in new cars waiting for buyers will take a back seat to repairing cars already on the road.

“We haven’t sold a single Toyota since last week,” Tarbox said. He said the recall and the automobile manufacturer’s decision to stop selling some of its most popular models has scared some prospective buyers and had others waiting to see the outcome of corrective measures. Tarbox isn’t worried. He believes there will be a pent up demand for the cars after Toyota has taken care of the problem that hit the news last month.

Tarbox is amazed by the action taken by Toyota saying, “Nobody has ever stopped sales because of a recall.”

But now that that has happened, Tarbox wants to get out the word – at least in Rhode Island – that mechanics are being trained on how to take corrective action and that the dealership will be doing it. News reporters and camera crews were invited to attend a clinic at the Route 2 dealership scheduled for last night.

Despite all the publicity, Tarbox said the dealership has not had a single report of a sticking gas pedal.

According to a press release issued by Toyota, the condition “is rare, but can occur when the pedal mechanism becomes worn and, in certain conditions, the accelerator pedal may become harder to depress, slower to return or, in the worst case, stuck in a partially depressed position.”

Should that happen, the company says the vehicle can be controlled with firm and steady application of the brakes. It is advised that brakes not be pumped repeatedly because it could deplete vacuum assist, requiring stronger brake pedal pressure.

“The vehicle should be driven to the nearest safe location, the engine shut off and a Toyota dealer contacted for assistance,” reads a news release issued by Toyota.

The recall relates to two conditions.

The first recall relates to the length of gas pedals in certain models that can become jammed in the floor mat especially in situations where original mats have been replaced. Corrective action involves cutting off a portion of the pedal to conform to a template provided to the dealer. As a temporary fix, mats are being removed.

The other recall pertains to pedals that over time become “sticky” and don’t return to the idle position as promptly as they should. A metal plate – a shim costing only pennies – is used to prevent the situation from occurring by reducing friction.

In a video address posted on the Toyota Web site, Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales USA, said owners of Toyotas subject to the recall can expect a letter within a few days advising them to make an appointment with an area dealer. Speaking of Toyota owners, Lentz says, “We are truly sorry for letting them down.” He goes on to say rebuilding trust with its customers is most important and that the company aims to do that by “effectively taking care of this situation.”

Tarbox said 15,000 Toyotas were sold in Rhode Island last year, 1,500 by his dealership.

“We’re going after this like gangbusters,” Tarbox said. “We’re not going to wait for customers to get notices.”

Tarbox estimated the car company would pay the dealership about $30 for each car processed.