What services you need and what you don't

[rusty houndog]

After some new information regarding the Toyota infinite warranty on mufflers and struts, I decided to have the dealer replace the struts under my warranty and pay for them if Toyota decides not to honor the fact they bent. If Toyota does pay and they bend again I'll have the dealer do the job and then never pay for it again. That apparently is some guarantee set up by Toyota. But that is what the dealer told me and who am I to argue with the dealer (ha)?
So far so good. Toyota has not come back, but,as the British like to say, it's early days yet.
At least the car runs very nicely now.

At the same time I got a set of used Corolla 15" steel wheels and a set of new tires. The Corolla wheels are just right for the 175 65 R15 tires used on the Mini Cooper; 6 inch rim width. I got Continentals, the only premium tire currently available in this country in that size, and they have proved absolutely superior to those low profile Bridgestone gunboats that came on the car. Now I can run the dirt roads just like I did in my '94 Corolla wagon. It's a real delight to have good cornering control again on the dirt. And the ride is even better on the super slab, nice and soft without all that thump thump over the joints and pot holes. Nothing like a good set of high sidewalls and narrow treads. Toyota should offer those Corolla 15" steels as a rim option for the Prius, specially in snow country.
Another nice thing; 51 PSI max pressure on those puppies. So far, at 44 PSI front and 42 PSI rear, I haven't dropped below 51.9 MPG average even at 75 MPH cruise on the slab.

[jayman]

When I picked up dedicated steel rims for my winter tires, I went with multi-fit that work on a Corolla. No problems whatsoever. Make sure to use the proper acorn style lugnuts, the OEM Toyota lugnuts will loosen up. For winter I run studded tires. No TPMS on my Prius, so I don't have to worry about the naggy light staying on the entire winter

However, I do have the icy road warning light stay on most of the winter. Black electrical tape nicely covers it

[weirdness28]

Hi. I'm confused about the transaxle fluid because I keep reading conflicting things. I see where people with 2004+ models have posted about changing the fluid, however, I've also seen that with 2004 and after you DON'T have to replace it. I'm in the process of getting my 60,000 maintence checklist finished. I avoid the local dealer at all costs, and luckily I have a trusty local mechanic who has been able to take care of everything I can't do on my own so far. Should I get him to take care of the transaxle fluid?

[rusty houndog]

After some time of thinking and searching I have discovered that the tire pressure sensor part numbers for the Prius and for the Corolla 15 inch steel wheels is the same number. That means I can dismount the valve-stem/sensor from my Prius wheels and install them in the Corolla steel wheels I am now using.

How's that for a simple solution that doesn't involve black tape over the dash light?

The nicest part is that the car already knows those sensors so I don't even have to go through the sensor re-calibration process.

[TidelandProud]

For low-mileage cars, specifically the Prius, what service is necessary at three years?

My car recently celebrated this milestone with the odometer barely past 11,000 miles. So far, I’ve been getting the oil changed every six months, the tires rotated every year. Earlier this year, I had the cabin air filter changed for the first time. The little driving I do is usually in city type traffic.

Anticipating that the dealer may get insistent about its more advanced service packages when I next visit, I’m seeking objective advice. The costs for these packages are not incidental: $400 for the 3 year/30K miles package, $200 for 18 month/15K miles. The dealer will probably say what he always does, that I should follow the time rather than mileage guidelines.

The car’s been running fine save for sporadic squeaks emanating from the front passenger area when in forward motion. The noise recalls squeaky coils.

[Patrick Wong]

I think it is sufficient for you to change the engine oil and filter at one-year intervals or 5K miles whichever comes first. Suggest you check the engine air filter if this hasn't been changed yet; hold it up to the sun and see if light passes through. If the filter is dark then you should replace it; the price will probably be ~$20 at your dealer's parts counter.

I also suggest that you look at the radiator and inverter coolant reservoirs to ensure the fluid levels are at the top mark; if not, buy a gallon of pink SLLC coolant and replenish as needed.

The squeak may be coming from a seat or may be coming from the front suspension.

When the tires are rotated, that would be a good time to inspect the suspension and brakes to ensure no problems exist.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by weirdness28

...I avoid the local dealer at all costs, and luckily I have a trusty local mechanic who has been able to take care of everything I can't do on my own so far. Should I get him to take care of the transaxle fluid?

I think so; I change the transaxle fluid on my 2004 at 30K mile intervals. Suggest that you purchase 4 qt of Toyota ATF WS and two aluminum washers for the transaxle drain and fill plugs from your Toyota dealer's parts dept, so that your mechanic has the necessary supplies for the job.

[TidelandProud]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

I think it is sufficient for you to change the engine oil and filter at one-year intervals or 5K miles whichever comes first. Suggest you check the engine air filter if this hasn't been changed yet; hold it up to the sun and see if light passes through. If the filter is dark then you should replace it; the price will probably be ~$20 at your dealer's parts counter.

I also suggest that you look at the radiator and inverter coolant reservoirs to ensure the fluid levels are at the top mark; if not, buy a gallon of pink SLLC coolant and replenish as needed.

The squeak may be coming from a seat or may be coming from the front suspension.

When the tires are rotated, that would be a good time to inspect the suspension and brakes to ensure no problems exist.

Thanks for your thoughtful and reassuring advice.

[Drunken_Monk]

Thank you for posting this I have a question about a service which I am not sure I need.
The toyota dealer would like me to clean my Throttle Body. They also want me to clean my Mass Air Flow Sensor and Cabin air filter.
I have an 07 Prius with 47,277 miles on it. Thanks for the help guys! I just want to make sure I need these things.

[oxnardprof]

Thanks for this useful thread. I do have a question, however.

My dealer is recommending:

Air conditioner service: it is working fine, so I do not plan to do this service. Good / bad idea?

Cabin filter: I change it myself.

Fuel Injection service: Based on this thread, I will wait for 100,000 miles. Fuel economy is fine, I hear no engine noise.

Valve Adjustment: I have no idea what this refers to. Could it be the pressure control valve mentioned? What question should I ask of my dealer.

The car is a 2004 model, with 73,000 miles. My recent tanks have averaged 50 mpg.