What services you need and what you don't

[FishHawk]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Feb 24 2007, 12:06 PM) [snapback]395805[/snapback]</div>

Me, too!
[/b]

Thanks for your input. Question ,what about changing the spark plugs at around 60K? I heard it's a good idea even thought the plugs are rated for 100K. From your advice , we just change the oil and rotate the tires. and adjust rear brakes every 30K. Pretty maintenance free car. You got to love it.
FishHawk

[galaxee]

fish hawk:

if it gives you peace of mind, go for it at 60k. but you really don't need to worry about it till 100k.

it was designed to be pretty much maintenance free, with the exception of some of the adjustment items (alignment, brakes, etc.)

yep, gotta love it!

[efusco]

So, is it the Engine Coolant or Inverter or both that many have been suggesting to get changed at 60k? My 60k service is coming up in about 2 months (going in for 55k tomorrow) so I'm trying to figure out how much I'm going to get done.

[efusco]

Ok, a little bump and a request for clarification...
Gal + DH...
Your 60k service is coming up and (just pretend) you have to pay for the entire thing yourself. I assume you'll have everything in the 'passport' done. I'd imagine you'd have an alignment done (if not done recently). But what else will you have done? What things would you LIKE to have done/recommend having done, but may not due to cost factors?

I'm making a list for my upcoming 60k service and I'd like to optimize things for the next 60k miles but don't want to throw away money.

[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.

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Feb 26 2007, 06:25 PM) [snapback]396957[/snapback]</div>

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. [/b]

Ok, several others have suggested the transaxle fluid change...was just curious about your feelings on that. I guess I'm still considering that though it does seem expensive and probably unnecessary...just some annecdotal reports that it's been pretty dirty looking at 60k by a few folks.

[galaxee]

no disrespect meant to those who feel it should be changed early, but he really doesn't feel it's necessary. it is meant to be there long term. this is one of those popular topics we've chosen not to stick our noses in, along with the extended oil change interval (which we did discuss a bit and that didn't go so great )

so if you wanna spend the money for a little peace of mind, you're not gonna hurt anything. but if you don't do it, it's not like you have cause for concern or anything.

edit: so he has looked at fluids around 60k. no, it does not look brand new. but ya really can't expect it to after 60k. he has yet to see a normally operating prius with fluid that concerned him. but it's not something he looks at on EVERY one... because it's a bit of a PITA to check. he saw one with 89k on it that started to look like T4 that 60k of hard driving on it in a regular automatic trans. that one would be the closest to recommending a drain/fill he's ever seen.

[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)

[Skwyre7]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Miss_Taz @ Mar 6 2007, 02:22 PM) [snapback]401034[/snapback]</div>

... 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...
[/b]

I would agree with your plan. Save yourself some money.

[alexstarfire]

Well, once I hit 60k miles on my Prius I'll be back here asking for some advice. I should probably get mine check out before then, but I'm a little tight on cash ATM.