What services you need and what you don't

[jaw444]

Originally Posted by hyo silver

...Not so good, it turns out. Two days and $400 later, they couldn't find the noise I'd taken it in for, did things I asked them not to, and didn't do things I had specifically requested. The next dealership is further away, but it's worth the inconvenience.

That's infuriating. Did they write down on the service agreement when you brought it in what you specifically asked them not to do, and did they call you for permission before doing those things? If not, i wouldn't pay for those things. Did they write down the things you requested them to do and did not do? If so, i would ask their management to reservice your car at their expense and take care of what you asked for. Also, i suggest making a report on Angie's List and other user review sites such as Yelp, to give others a heads up.

The only problem with taking it back to them to complete what you asked them to do is that they don't sound trustworthy, to put it mildly. But call Toyota and report this, ask what recourse you have (or don't have) and present it to them in terms of that they're being watched closely and any problems will be brought to their attention.

If they didn't write down what you asked them to do and not to do, there's probably nothing else that can be done. Sorry you had this experience. Having read this, i'm going to make sure in the future that these things get written down. I wasn't thrilled with my service advisor when i took my car in for its routine service, earlier this month. It was the second service since i've owned the car.

The first time i was very happy with the communication and service and price. When i called for my second appointment, they said my wonderful service manager who had been there for 9 years, was gone, not there anymore :-( So, i got this other guy and he was not the same. He was uncommunicative so that it didn't seem like what i was interested in had any importance to him.

Mainly i wanted the parking brake checked. He did write it down, but when i picked up the car later, he was very busy with other customers and i just paid my bill and assumed everything was checked but nothing was mentioned one way or the other about the parking brake.

But while i was waiting for them to bring out my car, an authoritative looking man asked me if all my needs were being met, he was friendly and then, he started yelling at service guys to get my car, because i was standing there waiting. So i thought i would like to have him as my new service manager, but he turned out to be the boss of the whole place.

I told him about my disappointment that Paul had left and he said he had another guy who was "a Paul clone" and said i would really like this other guy, and he got me the guy's card and encouraged me to call him for future needs, and said that this guy really "takes care of his customers" and gives them that extra concern and attention. He also gave me his card. So i left feeling good. At least it was only $98. Is that a normal price for a minor service?

From the Agency manager's behavior, i had the impression this must be a competitive business. There are a number of Toyota agencies in the area, but this is by far the closest. Like you, i was planning to go to a different one next time, based on the bad feeling i had with the new guy.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by hyo silver

Two days and $400 later, they couldn't find the noise I'd taken it in for, did things I asked them not to, and didn't do things I had specifically requested.

Oh, you have GOT to be sh***ing me!

[hyo silver]

I wish I were. It's possible a couple of the items were my fault, for not being specific enough. I assumed they'd look at my file to see that I use synthetic oil, and that I don't want my car washed. I've seen large scrub brushes on sticks in buckets of mud, said no, and asked them to note it in the file. I also assumed when I said "Do the things specific to the Prius for 65k, NOT the generic tuneup" that they might look it up and do the right thing. Nope, standard tuneup package, no fluids changed other than oil - the wrong kind. They did the coolant when I pointed it out, but of course that was another trip for me and more money. I didn't get any parts back, either, and I definitely remember discussing that part. Bye, local dealer.

[jayman]

If that had been me, I'm fairly certain I would have gone monkeys*** on them

[Nords]

I'm an infrequent poster. After spending an hour with the search feature, I still have questions. Please redirect me if they've been asked ad nauseum, I mean infinitum.

Our three-year warranty is about to expire. Is there anything you wish you'd done at that point which (in hindsight) you'd recommend we have done?

We're the second owners. It only has 34K miles and it's driven about 5-8K/year on Oahu, mostly by our teen and mostly short trips under 45 MPH. The car's been nearly flawless-- a couple shutdowns on the cruise control, a false alarm on the passenger-seat weight detector. The suspension probably takes more of a beating than it should and the brakes are probably used harder than they should be but they're OK. No other problems.

We do our own oil changes & cabin-air-filter cleanings. The tires are due for a rotate & balance but they're not misbehaving.

Any TSBs I'd want to look at? Any other recalls or late-breaking news? Any other regrets?

Otherwise I'll check back near the seven-year point…

[jayman]

Perhaps change the CVT fluid

[jjones811@hotmail.com]

I need recommendations-
I replaced my tires in Feb., and the tire store (not the dealership) is wanting to do the 45K maintenance.
Is it necessary to go to the dealership to have these maintenance checks done? Is there such a think as a prius certified mechanic?
thanks-

[rusty houndog]

Originally Posted by jjones811@hotmail.com

I need recommendations-
I replaced my tires in Feb., and the tire store (not the dealership) is wanting to do the 45K maintenance.
Is it necessary to go to the dealership to have these maintenance checks done? Is there such a think as a prius certified mechanic?
thanks-

Have you been told what maintenance the tire store wishes to perform? How did they notify you of this need for them to perform the 45K service?

[jayman]

Originally Posted by jjones811@hotmail.com

the tire store (not the dealership) is wanting to do the 45K maintenance.

Any more details? Why do they want to do the maintenance? What does it include? Are they trained to work on hybrids etc?

[2009Prius]

I would be cautious whenever they want to sell you "extras".