What services you need and what you don't

[essaunders]

Great thread!
my 07 is at 30K miles

I know I need an oil/filter change
I just got new tires (and alignemnt) - so no tire rotation this time.
I can inspect the engine and cabin filters and replace.

So what is left in the prius book list?


Inspect the following:

• Ball joints and dust covers
• Brake lines and hoses
• Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
• Differential oil
• Drive shaft boots
• Engine coolant
• Exhaust pipes and mountings
• Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
• Fuel tank cap gasket
• Radiator, condenser and intercooler
• Steering gear box
• Steering linkage and boots
• Transmission fluid or oil

Anything else? Also, what ballpark price is reasonable for the labor for this inspection set?

Thanks

[rusty houndog]

essaunders,

Have you read message no. 1 yet? Most of your question will be answered by a close read of that initial entry into this thread.

[essaunders]

yep. got the message printed out...

Interestingly, the dealership is quoting about $25 for part+installation for the engine air filter -- - but they want ~$100 for the cabin filter + "service". the service appears to be some kind of duct vacuuming and spraying (at least two things!) into the vents.

I don't remember any discussion of a need to clean the AC ducts: it sounds like the dealership really just wants to point their vacuum at my wallet.... anybody have wisdom on vent system cleaning? Anyone done their own? Had it done?


I forgot to add: all those listed inspections will appear to be covered under the dealership "free courtesy inspection" that goes with the $25 oil change.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by essaunders

Differential oil

What differential oil? Maybe they confused my FJ Cruiser with your Prius

Originally Posted by essaunders

Engine coolant

A visual inspection, as the tank is see-through. I wouldn't pay anybody to do this

Originally Posted by essaunders

intercooler

You must have one of those extremely rare and exotic turbocharged Prius cars!

Originally Posted by essaunders

Steering gear box

The Prius has electric assist power steering. I guess they confused your Prius with my FJ again

Originally Posted by essaunders

Transmission fluid or oil

The fill plug can be a bit of a PITA to get to, I personally would change the cvt fluid every 30,000 miles, max

[essaunders]

The posted list was copied right from the toyota online 30000mile list for the 07 prius. I am avoiding the dealer's 30000k $480 service... that had lots of "extras" in it...

[AZdave]

Im near the 60K check up on an 04 prius. The following is taken directly from my local Right Toyota dealership's general service plan.
The * means "If Applicable"
How much of this is fluff?

- Replace Engine Oil(up to 5qts)
- Relace Oil Filter Will do myself
- Lube Chassis*
- Clean and adjust rear brakes*
- Asjust/tighten parking brake
- Rotate tires
- Multi Point Inspection
- Replace Air Filter - Will do myself
- Inspect timing
- Scope & Adjust to factory specs as necessary
- Inspect/adjust EFI system
- Road Test
- Basic Transmission Service
- Replace Spark Plugs** (Dont know why this one has 2 *)
- Replace Coolant
- Pressure Check coolant system
- Adjust V'drive belts
- Inspect thermostat operation
- Inspect hoses

[jayman]

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Lube Chassis*

I searched almost 5 years on my Prius, and never did find a grease zerk (Forum member Hobbit calls them "grease tits"). Maybe they confused your Prius with my FJ Cruiser?

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Clean and adjust rear brakes*
- Asjust/tighten parking brake

Might not be a bad idea after 60,000 miles

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Rotate tires

You can do that yourself, it's easy enough. I wouldn't pay for it

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Multi Point Inspection

Of what? Whenever I've pinned somebody down on what exactly this means, I've received extremely vague replies

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Inspect timing

On a computer controlled engine with per-cylinder coils? You can't even adjust the timing, either the crank sensor works or it doesn't. If the Prius had a distributer cap, I could see adjusting timing.

There probably hasn't been a mass produced vehicle made in 10-15 years that has had the need to adjust the timing

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Scope & Adjust to factory specs as necessary

Scope what? Adjust what? Maybe they confused the Prius with a 1967 Chevy Impala: better change the plugs, points, cap and rotor, set the timing, and rejet the carb

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Inspect/adjust EFI system

Inspect what? Adjust what? Hint, there isn't even an external fuel filter, it's part of the in-tank fuel pump assembly

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Road Test

I'd ask to go along, just in case the lot boy who used to scrub the urinals the week before, decides to try taking a Prius off road

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Basic Transmission Service

I think it's a good idea to change the CVT fluid much sooner than 60 K. Keep in mind the Prius doesn not have a fluid pan on the CVT, no filter, etc. There is a drain plug and a fill plug, very straightforward.

If they try to sell you on a "transmission flush" tell them they are full of s***. There are no clutches/bands or other conventional auto trans parts inside the CVT case. Just a planetary gearset, a power transfer chain, and a differential

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Replace Spark Plugs** (Dont know why this one has 2 *)

Probably because a Toyota equipped with platinum or iridium plugs has the first plug change >100,000 miles. Changing the plugs on a Prius at 60 K is a bit early. It wouldn't be a bad idea to check on them though

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Replace Coolant

A bit early on a Prius

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Pressure Check coolant system

I was under the impression you were NOT to do that on a Prius, due to the coolant switching valve, thermos storage tank, inverter loop, etc. Could result in damage

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Adjust V'drive belts

Just one belt, as there is no power steering pump, the A/C is variable speed electric, no alternator, etc. The tensioner should keep proper tension on the belt.

Once the belt shows signs of age, it's a good idea to replace the tensioner at the same time. If the tensioner bearings go, the pulley will seize and ruin a belt

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Inspect thermostat operation

How? They're not going to remove it and test it. Either it works, or it doesn't.

Originally Posted by AZdave

- Inspect hoses

Easy enough for you to do yourself

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by jayman

...Just one belt, as there is no power steering pump, the A/C is variable speed electric, no alternator, etc. The tensioner should keep proper tension on the belt.

Once the belt shows signs of age, it's a good idea to replace the tensioner at the same time. If the tensioner bearings go, the pulley will seize and ruin a belt

Regarding this one issue, please note that Prius does not have a spring-loaded tensioner that will automatically adjust as the belt stretches. The tensioner is adjusted manually at the time the belt is installed, and will not compensate as the belt ages.

However, if you don't hear any squealing noise characteristic of a slipping belt, I wouldn't worry about adjusting it since the only accessory the belt is powering is the engine mechanical water pump (in the case of Classic, it is also powering the AC compressor.)

[jayman]

Sorry. I assumed a standard tensioner was used on the belt

[FBear]

Your list is excellent. I have one further question; the serpentine belt. When should one start looking to replace it? Just had went in for my 60k the dealer recommended their 60k service for $499.00. Basically the list was about 50 items long and all they would actually be changing was the oil & filter and rotation of the tires. The remainder of the 50 or so items on the list including lube steering is not even possible. Such a rip off.