EZ Lube for oil changes? Independent Repair?

j24816 · 05-01-2006, 09:17 PM

For those who don't do their own oil changes, does anyone use EZ Lube or the ilk? What has your experience been? Can they be trusted?

Same question for repairs....do Prius owners strictly go to dealers, what has experience been with independent repair shops? Any you would recommend?

hycamguy07 · 05-01-2006, 09:24 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ May 1 2006, 09:17 PM) [snapback]248277[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

For those who don't do their own oil changes, does anyone use EZ Lube or the ilk? What has your experience been? Can they be trusted?

Same question for repairs....do Prius owners strictly go to dealers, what has experience been with independent repair shops? Any you would recommend?
[/b]

I used to go to mobil lube but they wont do priuses any more.. somthing about a store shorted somthing out.
I just take it to the dealer.. for just an oil change $19..

there are several here that do thier own services though

tochatihu · 05-02-2006, 12:15 AM

j24816, you are in Los Angeles, so I will recommend my favorite Toyota shop in Claremont (just east of Pomona).

But more generally, Prius has several maintenance items that need to be looked at every 5k miles or so. These are just like in a conventional front wheel drive car, and any competent mechanic could perform them.

On about 30k mile intervals, there are "real hybrid things" to be looked at, and few other than Toyota shops are equipped to address them. The cost-conscious Prius driver should recognize these distinctions.

davidmisch · 05-05-2006, 03:08 PM

I'm new to everything: Priuses (in fact, I've bought mine but haven't picked it up yet) and this board. But I'm trying to figure out the warranty situation and I thought you might help. Basically, I've figured out the dealer offer ($2000 for the 7 year/75K one) is terrible and I'm considering getting the one through Troy here at Priuschat.

But I have a mechanic I've used for many many years and he's not only good but fair (and cheap!), and he says he does Priuses. The dealer gave me the usual scare story about non-Toyota mechanics possibly voiding the warranty: do I indeed need to worry about that? Do most people get Toyota warranties? (A friend who just bought one said a friend who works in a Toyota Parts Dept. says it's not worth getting.)

And is there some difference between an "Extended" warranty and a "Maintenance" warranty?

Thanks so much for anything you can tell me.

j24816 · 05-05-2006, 03:29 PM

And is there some difference between an "Extended" warranty and a "Maintenance" warranty?\

The extended warranty is exactly that, it extends coverage for things that break. Toyota web site has good description of it. Try searching on "Extended Warranty" for opinions as to whether worth it.....keep in mind Toyota and dealer are making money on them.

Maintenance is not a warranty, you are prepaying future maintenance costs for car. I don't know if they are only honored at dealers, nor do I have a good feel for whether they are worth it. Try searching for "Prepaid Maintenance" for a variety of opinions. Unlike the warranty, for this one you should be able to do a pretty good calculation on whether it will save money.

davidmisch · 05-05-2006, 04:55 PM

Thanks for answering the second part of my question, about the difference between an extended warranty and a maintenance contract. The reason I was confused is that my dealership includes 36 months of maintenance coverage with the extended warranty.

The other thing I asked was about getting the extended warranty. My question was whether it's true that non-dealership servicing could void the warranty? If so, wouldn't that mean that most people do get a Toyota warranty?

tochatihu · 05-05-2006, 06:59 PM

Hey Mostly, for maintenance purposes the Prius is a conventional front wheel drive car. Every 30k miles or so, some hybrid things need to be looked at. Hey wait, I already wrote that. But the warranty-voiding spook is just marketing. Take the Prius maint guide (when you get it or print from the web) to your favorite mechanic and see what they say.

j24816 · 05-06-2006, 01:54 AM

The reason I was confused is that my dealership includes 36 months of maintenance coverage with the extended warranty.

That is an added benefit your dealer provides as an incentive to buy the extended warrenty. You can get a 7 Yr/100K extended warrenty from Troy Dietrich/Greenfield Toyota for $990; 7yr/75K for $690. Take this into account when considering whether to purchase from your dealer. (Under the "Prius Accessories" tab at top of Priuschat is a link which will get you the details). Also keep in mind you can purchase the warranty until the basic warrenty expires @ 3 yrs or 36K miles (whichever comes first). Minimal additional benefits for purchasing now (I think just towing, lodging if your car breaks down >150 miles from home, rental car while they fix your car).

The other thing I asked was about getting the extended warranty. My question was whether it's true that non-dealership servicing could void the warranty? If so, wouldn't that mean that most people do get a Toyota warranty?

You are not required to get service from a dealer.

05-05-2006, 03:29 PM	#5
j24816 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 141 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	And is there some difference between an "Extended" warranty and a "Maintenance" warranty?\ The extended warranty is exactly that, it extends coverage for things that break. Toyota web site has good description of it. Try searching on "Extended Warranty" for opinions as to whether worth it.....keep in mind Toyota and dealer are making money on them. Maintenance is not a warranty, you are prepaying future maintenance costs for car. I don't know if they are only honored at dealers, nor do I have a good feel for whether they are worth it. Try searching for "Prepaid Maintenance" for a variety of opinions. Unlike the warranty, for this one you should be able to do a pretty good calculation on whether it will save money. __________________ --John

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05-01-2006, 09:17 PM	#1
j24816 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 141 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	For those who don't do their own oil changes, does anyone use EZ Lube or the ilk? What has your experience been? Can they be trusted? Same question for repairs....do Prius owners strictly go to dealers, what has experience been with independent repair shops? Any you would recommend?

05-02-2006, 12:15 AM	#3
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,413 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 39 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 14	j24816, you are in Los Angeles, so I will recommend my favorite Toyota shop in Claremont (just east of Pomona). But more generally, Prius has several maintenance items that need to be looked at every 5k miles or so. These are just like in a conventional front wheel drive car, and any competent mechanic could perform them. On about 30k mile intervals, there are "real hybrid things" to be looked at, and few other than Toyota shops are equipped to address them. The cost-conscious Prius driver should recognize these distinctions.

05-05-2006, 03:08 PM	#4
davidmisch Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I'm new to everything: Priuses (in fact, I've bought mine but haven't picked it up yet) and this board. But I'm trying to figure out the warranty situation and I thought you might help. Basically, I've figured out the dealer offer ($2000 for the 7 year/75K one) is terrible and I'm considering getting the one through Troy here at Priuschat. But I have a mechanic I've used for many many years and he's not only good but fair (and cheap!), and he says he does Priuses. The dealer gave me the usual scare story about non-Toyota mechanics possibly voiding the warranty: do I indeed need to worry about that? Do most people get Toyota warranties? (A friend who just bought one said a friend who works in a Toyota Parts Dept. says it's not worth getting.) And is there some difference between an "Extended" warranty and a "Maintenance" warranty? Thanks so much for anything you can tell me.

05-05-2006, 04:55 PM	#6
davidmisch Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks for answering the second part of my question, about the difference between an extended warranty and a maintenance contract. The reason I was confused is that my dealership includes 36 months of maintenance coverage with the extended warranty. The other thing I asked was about getting the extended warranty. My question was whether it's true that non-dealership servicing could void the warranty? If so, wouldn't that mean that most people do get a Toyota warranty?

05-05-2006, 06:59 PM	#7
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,413 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 39 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 14	Hey Mostly, for maintenance purposes the Prius is a conventional front wheel drive car. Every 30k miles or so, some hybrid things need to be looked at. Hey wait, I already wrote that. But the warranty-voiding spook is just marketing. Take the Prius maint guide (when you get it or print from the web) to your favorite mechanic and see what they say.

05-06-2006, 01:54 AM	#8
j24816 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 141 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The reason I was confused is that my dealership includes 36 months of maintenance coverage with the extended warranty. That is an added benefit your dealer provides as an incentive to buy the extended warrenty. You can get a 7 Yr/100K extended warrenty from Troy Dietrich/Greenfield Toyota for $990; 7yr/75K for $690. Take this into account when considering whether to purchase from your dealer. (Under the "Prius Accessories" tab at top of Priuschat is a link which will get you the details). Also keep in mind you can purchase the warranty until the basic warrenty expires @ 3 yrs or 36K miles (whichever comes first). Minimal additional benefits for purchasing now (I think just towing, lodging if your car breaks down >150 miles from home, rental car while they fix your car). The other thing I asked was about getting the extended warranty. My question was whether it's true that non-dealership servicing could void the warranty? If so, wouldn't that mean that most people do get a Toyota warranty? You are not required to get service from a dealer.