What services you need and what you don't

[birdsquared]

Originally Posted by galaxee

there are some cases in which service will be cheaper to add in a thing or 2- one recent subject that comes to mind was adding a strut mount to a strut replacement job. since it's already apart, there's virtually no extra labor involved.

of course prices are different per dealer and per region but here's a general idea.

the essentials are the 2 coolant loops and the trans fluid.
cooling systems probably $100-150 plus coolant, it takes a lot longer than a standard drain and fill.
trans drain and fill $50 labor + fluid.

brake flush is not urgent at this point- but check it yourself. you can probably leave this till the 120k miles service when you do the plugs if cost is an issue.
cost of this will depend on whether the dealer's got experience with it. figure $100-150 plus fluid to be on the safe side, they may charge you less.

also have them check the water pump drive belt and the brake pad thickness. brakes should still be fine at 100k miles but best to be sure there. alignment may be a good idea but is dependent on the tires. if you're going to wear out the tires that are on it, forget it. pcv valve is cheap.
!

Thanks very much Galaxee. I bought the car today, and other than it immediately needing new rear brakes (only 5% left), everything else inspected out nicely, so I will wait until it reaches 160,000 km, and get cooling and trans done with oil, etc.

[birdsquared]

I went to the local dealership today (Destination Toyota in Burnaby) since I needed to get new wheel locks (the used car didn't come with the "key" for the existing locks), and a rear wiper insert. The service department removed the old locking nuts with their "master key", and put on the new ones for no charge. I put the wiper blade on by myself, following the straightforward instructions provided here.

I also asked about estimated costs for the various maintenance services, and the service manager just printed off a list from the Toyota Canada "Maintenance Menu". Each relevant mileage (kilometerage?) is listed with the "required" services. The values include parts and labour, but no tax (which makes sense since each province has different taxes). The list is copyrighted, so I won't scan and post it, but it would appear that any Canadian Prius owner should be able to request it from their local dealership.

I note that they list the glove box air filter as a $51 service, so I placed an order from eBay for a couple of OEM filters ($15 plus shipping) that I will install myself. The current one was almost black when I pulled it out - with all kinds of crap on it - I don't think the previous owner was aware of it, and it had been a long while since the service records showed service at a Toyota run garage...

[jamesbalch]

[quote=rposton;536655]350 Dollars!!?? What did they do??

Ok, what city, state, and if you would, itemize your recipt.

I am been used to 40+ dollars for oil change and tire rotation in Nashville, TN. A little more if they check the alignment.

My '06 has 97K miles on it. Somewhere early in it's service history, I said yes to everything, and was stunned by something like $49.50 or thereabouts, for a "cabin filter". That was the last cabin filter I bought from the dealer. You can buy them on the web, you can choose more or less filtering, for between $16 to $20 per filter, and install it yourself. My owner's manual tells me how, yours should to. They are so easy to do. In fact, you can remove it yourself, and maybe find that it is not very dirty, but just has some debris in it like dead bugs and grass, which you can dump out, then put the filter back in.

As I understand it, once the fog is removed off of the windshield with the defroster, if the fog will stay gone with the "A/C" heater on, and of course assuming your windshield is free of smoke and dust particles on the inside, then your cabin filter is fine. If you must keep turning on the "A/C" heater to keep defogging the windshield, then you need to change your cabin filter.

I do have the dealer rotate the tires on every oil-change, but generally skip the front-end alignment check unless something doesn't seem right, like the front wheels pulling to one side or the other. I think I only got 2 front end alignment checks throughout the entire life of my OEM tires, which were getting thin, but no wear bars showing, at 56K miles.

I read Galaxee's comments about checking the rear brakes. I think I will have that done on the upcoming 100K mile service, plus whatever my passport says needs to be done, execpt the cabin filter.

I am guessing, looking at the tread on my Yokohamas that are on the car, that I will change tires again around 120k. And after reading many posts, I might seek to go to the Michalen Hydroedge.

So James, again, what did they charge you $350 for?

================================================== ===========

Here ya go!

IRA Toyota
Manchester NH

Customer Requests 30,000 Mile Scheduled Maintenance Service


1. 1 Ea. 17801-21040 Element Sub-assembly. AI $22.28
2. 1 Ea. 90915 -YZZF2-DS Filter S/A, OIL $ 5.41
3. 1 Ea. 90430-12028 Gasket $ 1.15
4. 4 Ea. 00279-1 QT 5W-01 Oil 5W-30 $ 8.60
5. 1 Ea. 87139-47010-83 Element, Air Filter $24.52
6. 1 Ea. 2105 Brake Fresh $ 3.34

Parts: $65.30 Labor: $285 Other: $0.00 Total: Line A: $350.30

[jamesbalch]

"hmm. you asked for the "30k service" didn't you? using those words is the same as saying "please screw me over" at the service counter. i guarantee they did not just do a tire rotation and oil change, they tossed in some major profit makers there. next time, ask for specific things. "oil change and tire rotation and alignment, please, no more."

Galaxee,

How do you explain to a warranty claims adjuster that you modified the scheduled inspection criteria (that the warranty is based upon) because you thought that items included in them didn't need to be accomplished?

I could almost guarrunty that when putting in for an expensive claim, the first thing the adjuster does is to make sure that the maintenance schedule has been adhered to. I know I would.

[galaxee]

Originally Posted by jamesbalch

Here ya go!

IRA Toyota
Manchester NH

Customer Requests 30,000 Mile Scheduled Maintenance Service


1. 1 Ea. 17801-21040 Element Sub-assembly. AI $22.28
2. 1 Ea. 90915 -YZZF2-DS Filter S/A, OIL $ 5.41
3. 1 Ea. 90430-12028 Gasket $ 1.15
4. 4 Ea. 00279-1 QT 5W-01 Oil 5W-30 $ 8.60
5. 1 Ea. 87139-47010-83 Element, Air Filter $24.52
6. 1 Ea. 2105 Brake Fresh $ 3.34

Parts: $65.30 Labor: $285 Other: $0.00 Total: Line A: $350.30

that's an awful lot of labor for swapping 2 air filters and an oil change. assuming they also rotated your tires there.

in DH's experience:
parts and labor for oil change: $35
places that charge for tire rotations, even with an oil change, get $10-$20
engine air filter: labor included with part
cabin air filter: labor $18

they did something else, and you don't even know what it was. that's getting screwed. i'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news

Originally Posted by jamesbalch

Galaxee,

How do you explain to a warranty claims adjuster that you modified the scheduled inspection criteria (that the warranty is based upon) because you thought that items included in them didn't need to be accomplished?

I could almost guarrunty that when putting in for an expensive claim, the first thing the adjuster does is to make sure that the maintenance schedule has been adhered to. I know I would.

there you go trusting the dealer again. you're not modifying anything, the dealer is. they're throwing in a ton of 99% profit items that you most likely do not need to suck money out of your wallet. what you need to do to keep your warranty is listed in the warranty booklet that came with your car. it's pretty minimal and should not cost $280 in labor per service interval.

inspections are usually done for free as the service is in process, because they're key opportunities to upsell services and make a few more bucks. DH has had a simple oil change (on a non-prius, that is) turn into a several hundred dollar job by pointing out leaks and other things that need work.

[birdsquared]

After some fiddling on the Toyota.ca website, I found that you can get your own copy of the maintenance menu, with the prices, from any dealer. Select the dealer, click on the "Maintenance Menu", input your vehicle details, including mileage, and it will provide you with a PDF of the services and prices - what's most interesting is that all of the dealerships I checked (3 local Vancouver area ones) had the same price for the lubrication service ($35), but they charged different amounts for the maintenance service, and other things (like cabin air filters). The services that Toyota Canada suggests are an interesting comparison to Galaxee's list.

[LRP114]

This article was not only UNBELIEVABLE, but also a huge money saver and will help us keep our Prius' rolling long and rolling (nearly) free!!

Thank you so much.

[Errel]

Thanks for the tips.
I have a 2005 Prius. I brought my Prius to the dealership due to a noise I hear when I turn off the car. It sounds like a grinding, whirling sound. The dealership said that it is normal noise from the pump. My question it, is this a common noise for all Prius'?

[LRP114]

Please clarify what you meant by "in the passport".

Thanks

Originally Posted by galaxee

E-

whatever's in the passport, the rear brake clean/adjust, alignment, and the PCV valve are what we'd do. have they checked out your 12v battery at all? most dealers have an appropriate tester for this type of battery now.

rebalancing tires might be something to consider too if you're *really* looking.

[LRP114]

I agree with your plan in all but one respect. I have always found dealers to be MUCH more expensive, and no more knowledgeable re: standard things. I do the oil changes every other time, and a reliable, properly trained and certified mechanic shop for the alternating service period.

Originally Posted by Miss_Taz

Tomorrow I am going in to get my 15k mile service. I'm a bit torn between having the 15k mile service package as the dealer sells it, and just having them change the oil & rotate the tires...

The dealer says the "15k mile service" costs $179.95 and includes more than just the oil change. He mumbled something about transmission service, electrical somethingorother and brake adjustments.

Reading this topic leads me to believe that these are unnecessary services (at this time in my Prius's life)...

I'm strongly leaning toward just paying for an oil change and tire rotation (and ordering myself a cabin air filter, which is kinda cruddy), and calling it a day.

Any comments/agreements/gotchas with this approach?

Thanks!

-Vikki

PS - I don't have any of the extra harsh conditions listed in the manual (towing, dusty off road, etc)