30,000 mile service

rubell · 10-31-2005, 05:01 PM

is $230 fair for a 30,000 mile service from a toyota dealer on my 04 Prius? i don't know much about cars to be honest and don't want to get ripped off!

paprius4030 · 10-31-2005, 05:50 PM

It's a RIP-OFF, all these mileage interval services are ridulious. Just change the oil, lube, filter. Rotate the tires when necessary, change all the filters(air, fuel, A/c ect.) every year, and make sure whoever changes the oil gives it a good visual inspection and that's all you need to do.

Mystery Squid · 10-31-2005, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by paprius4030@Oct 31 2005, 06:50 PM
It's a RIP-OFF, all these mileage interval services are ridulious. Just change the oil, lube, filter. Rotate the tires when necessary, change all the filters(air, fuel, A/c ect.) every year, and make sure whoever changes the oil gives it a good visual inspection and that's all you need to do.

[snapback]148200[/snapback]

+1

But if you're NOT mechanically inclined, or don't want to deal with it, $230 does, in fact, seem, reasonable, as I would imagine, 30K service entails more than a simple oil change and tire rotation...

Jack 06 · 11-01-2005, 12:59 AM

Did you look at their hourly labor rate, which is probably posted near the service desk? Does it say "$90"?

Do you think the dealer pays any FIVE mechanics $90/hr.?

In the 70's, I developed this tack: I do everything I reasonably can do for the 30K/60K/whatever service---not only my usual oil change and tire rotation, but, depending on what's called for, replacing the plugs, changing the air filter, even changing the coolant. These are all things the dealer can easily check and see I've done.

Then I go to a dealer, having circled or highlighted the items in the maintenance log the items I didn't do, and asking, "how much would you charge to do these"?
Most of them are simply "check this" or "inspect that" items, except for possibly changing transmission fluid, which I don't do. I almost always get a quote for a good "deal", say, $50-75. And they stamp the book as if they had done all of it.

Once an insulted dealer said, "We do it all or none of it". Then it's off to the next dealer.

If you can't do any of those things yourself, it's "gotcha time". But you still have the option of shopping around; local garages and franchised service/repair places (e.g., Pep Boys, and, in CA, Econo Lube 'n' Tune ) usually have advertised "specials" on these "benchmark" services every month. You might save $25-100 rather than taking it to your dealer.

Edit to add last paragraph.

The Critic · 11-01-2005, 02:29 AM

For the 30K service, the Prius only requires the following:
1)Engine Oil/Filter Change
2)Engine Air Filter Replacement
3)Tire Rotation
4)Drain/refill Coolant

For item 1, you can DIY for $10 or have a shop do it for $20. Pep Boys comes to mind, as they use Pennzoil 5w-30 and a generic Purolator filter (Proline) for $16.99.
For item 2, you can DIY for $15-$20 and it'd take you less than 10 minutes. Pep Boys currently has a $5 off coupon for FRAM Air Filters I think (check their website for coupons), and NO, FRAM air filters are great, its only their oil filters that stink.
For item 3, go to any BIG O Tires and have it done for free if you're an AAA member, or Costco if you're a Costco member, otherwise Brake Masters will give you a free tire rotation and brake inspection any time.
For item 4, most Toyota dealers (at least mine does, Elk Grove Toyota) will do this for $39.95.

In addition to the mandatory services required by the factory, I strongly recommend changing the Toyota "WS" lifetime automatic transmission fluid. The fluid was $41.60/gal at my local Toyota dealer, and the Prius takes exactly 4 quarts for a drain/refill. Even though it is a lifetime fill, it is good preventive maintenance to do a drain/refill. You can buy the fluid at the dealer, and get an independent mechanic to do the service for about $20. Well worth it IMO. The Toyota dealer would probably do the drain/refill for about $70 (I guess), but its probably cheaper to just buy the fluid from the dealer and either DIY or find an independent tech, as the dealer often marks up the price of the parts as well.

To add up the costs:
Oil Change-$20
Air Filter-$15
Tire Rotation/Brake Inspection-$0
Coolant Drain/Refill-$40
ATF Drain/Refill=$70

Total=$145, very reasonable IMO.

Hope this helps,
Michael

paprius4030 · 11-01-2005, 09:38 AM

Michael, where did you find, drain/refill coolant at 30k? I thought it was good for 100k. The 30k service just includeds alot of checks that my dealer sheepishly agreed that they do those checks during a routine LOF anyway.

tochatihu · 11-01-2005, 10:06 AM

Not to speak for Michael, but I will note that for the classic Prius the only US stated periodic maintenance was to check transmission fluid level. It may be the same in the new model.

But having read of a few transmission failres, and one case of metal bits on the sump magnet, I had mine changed at a Toyota shop at 80k miles. Note I also had them remove the pan to inspect inside it, so a sump gasket was also needed.

This "elective surgery" cost me $135 and the diagnosis was "fluid looks fine, little or no metal stuck to the magnet or in the sump". Having done this, I feel entitled to ignore it for a while.

popoff · 11-01-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by paprius4030@Oct 31 2005, 05:50 PM
Rotate the tires when necessary, change all the filters(air, fuel, A/c ect.) every year, and make sure whoever changes the oil gives it a good visual inspection and that's all you need to do.

[snapback]148200[/snapback]

What do you mean by "rotate the tires when necessary?

I would question changing the filters on a calendar basis as opposed to a mileage or as necessary schedule. I posted just yesterday that my ICE air filter needs changing, based on a visual inspection, after just 13,000 miles. The Toyota OEM filter cost around $15, which I would consider cheap preventive maintenance.

richard schumacher · 11-01-2005, 10:24 AM

Most dealers have a fixed menu of stuff they want to do at specified intervals at a fixed price without regard to the manufacturer's recommendations for a given car. Many of these items are not needed, or are even nonsensical (for example it is not possible to lube the chassis on a Prius, but they'll charge you for it anyway).

Read the little service booklet that came with the car. Show the appropriate page in it to the service writer and tell them to do just those items. Then see what the price becomes. If the service writer whines or balks (*), go somewhere else.

* I almost wrote "and can't give you good reasons for doing more stuff", but how many of us know what a good reason is as opposed to a good snow job? It's unlikely that a service writer will know better than the car maker how much service is needed. It rarely happens that the maker revises the maintenance schedule; in that case the service writer should be able to show you documentation from the car maker for the change.

popoff · 11-01-2005, 12:04 PM

[attachmentid=740][attachmentid=741]New OEM ICE air filter vs one with only 13,000 miles.

Both filters were held up against a window with bright light behind them. The photos don't really show how little light was coming through the dirty one.

PS: This was my first post of photo attachments and I sent two large files. They are slow to download due to their size. Sorry.

11-01-2005, 10:06 AM	#7
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Not to speak for Michael, but I will note that for the classic Prius the only US stated periodic maintenance was to check transmission fluid level. It may be the same in the new model. But having read of a few transmission failres, and one case of metal bits on the sump magnet, I had mine changed at a Toyota shop at 80k miles. Note I also had them remove the pan to inspect inside it, so a sump gasket was also needed. This "elective surgery" cost me $135 and the diagnosis was "fluid looks fine, little or no metal stuck to the magnet or in the sump". Having done this, I feel entitled to ignore it for a while. __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina

11-01-2005, 10:24 AM	#9
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Most dealers have a fixed menu of stuff they want to do at specified intervals at a fixed price without regard to the manufacturer's recommendations for a given car. Many of these items are not needed, or are even nonsensical (for example it is not possible to lube the chassis on a Prius, but they'll charge you for it anyway). Read the little service booklet that came with the car. Show the appropriate page in it to the service writer and tell them to do just those items. Then see what the price becomes. If the service writer whines or balks (), go somewhere else. I almost wrote "and can't give you good reasons for doing more stuff", but how many of us know what a good reason is as opposed to a good snow job? It's unlikely that a service writer will know better than the car maker how much service is needed. It rarely happens that the maker revises the maintenance schedule; in that case the service writer should be able to show you documentation from the car maker for the change. __________________ Copyright (C) 2009. All rights reserved.

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10-31-2005, 05:01 PM	#1
rubell Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	is $230 fair for a 30,000 mile service from a toyota dealer on my 04 Prius? i don't know much about cars to be honest and don't want to get ripped off!

10-31-2005, 05:50 PM	#2
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,296 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 1	It's a RIP-OFF, all these mileage interval services are ridulious. Just change the oil, lube, filter. Rotate the tires when necessary, change all the filters(air, fuel, A/c ect.) every year, and make sure whoever changes the oil gives it a good visual inspection and that's all you need to do.

11-01-2005, 12:59 AM	#4
Jack 06 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winters, CA: Prius capital of US. 30 miles W of Sacramento Posts: 2,567 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Did you look at their hourly labor rate, which is probably posted near the service desk? Does it say "$90"? Do you think the dealer pays any FIVE mechanics $90/hr.? In the 70's, I developed this tack: I do everything I reasonably can do for the 30K/60K/whatever service---not only my usual oil change and tire rotation, but, depending on what's called for, replacing the plugs, changing the air filter, even changing the coolant. These are all things the dealer can easily check and see I've done. Then I go to a dealer, having circled or highlighted the items in the maintenance log the items I didn't do, and asking, "how much would you charge to do these"? Most of them are simply "check this" or "inspect that" items, except for possibly changing transmission fluid, which I don't do. I almost always get a quote for a good "deal", say, $50-75. And they stamp the book as if they had done all of it. Once an insulted dealer said, "We do it all or none of it". Then it's off to the next dealer. If you can't do any of those things yourself, it's "gotcha time". But you still have the option of shopping around; local garages and franchised service/repair places (e.g., Pep Boys, and, in CA, Econo Lube 'n' Tune ) usually have advertised "specials" on these "benchmark" services every month. You might save $25-100 rather than taking it to your dealer. Edit to add last paragraph.

11-01-2005, 02:29 AM	#5
The Critic Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 112 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 2 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 0	For the 30K service, the Prius only requires the following: 1)Engine Oil/Filter Change 2)Engine Air Filter Replacement 3)Tire Rotation 4)Drain/refill Coolant For item 1, you can DIY for $10 or have a shop do it for $20. Pep Boys comes to mind, as they use Pennzoil 5w-30 and a generic Purolator filter (Proline) for $16.99. For item 2, you can DIY for $15-$20 and it'd take you less than 10 minutes. Pep Boys currently has a $5 off coupon for FRAM Air Filters I think (check their website for coupons), and NO, FRAM air filters are great, its only their oil filters that stink. For item 3, go to any BIG O Tires and have it done for free if you're an AAA member, or Costco if you're a Costco member, otherwise Brake Masters will give you a free tire rotation and brake inspection any time. For item 4, most Toyota dealers (at least mine does, Elk Grove Toyota) will do this for $39.95. In addition to the mandatory services required by the factory, I strongly recommend changing the Toyota "WS" lifetime automatic transmission fluid. The fluid was $41.60/gal at my local Toyota dealer, and the Prius takes exactly 4 quarts for a drain/refill. Even though it is a lifetime fill, it is good preventive maintenance to do a drain/refill. You can buy the fluid at the dealer, and get an independent mechanic to do the service for about $20. Well worth it IMO. The Toyota dealer would probably do the drain/refill for about $70 (I guess), but its probably cheaper to just buy the fluid from the dealer and either DIY or find an independent tech, as the dealer often marks up the price of the parts as well. To add up the costs: Oil Change-$20 Air Filter-$15 Tire Rotation/Brake Inspection-$0 Coolant Drain/Refill-$40 ATF Drain/Refill=$70 Total=$145, very reasonable IMO. Hope this helps, Michael

11-01-2005, 09:38 AM	#6
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,296 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 1	Michael, where did you find, drain/refill coolant at 30k? I thought it was good for 100k. The 30k service just includeds alot of checks that my dealer sheepishly agreed that they do those checks during a routine LOF anyway.

11-01-2005, 12:04 PM	#10
popoff Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: western NC mountains Posts: 560 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	[attachmentid=740][attachmentid=741]New OEM ICE air filter vs one with only 13,000 miles. Both filters were held up against a window with bright light behind them. The photos don't really show how little light was coming through the dirty one. PS: This was my first post of photo attachments and I sent two large files. They are slow to download due to their size. Sorry.