What services you need and what you don't

[smtrader]

I've reference your list many times...thanks!

So now that many 2G Prius are hitting 100K or more, would you consider putting together a list of "highly recommended" services for these older Prius?? Thanks.

[Patrick Wong]

Since galaxee is no longer very active on PC due to a new job and a household move, I am taking the liberty of responding.

Besides following the scheduled maintenance guide for 100K miles and 120K miles, I would recommend the following, assuming that you are interested in minimizing unscheduled downtime:

- Replace serpentine drive belt
- Replace engine thermostat
- Replace PCV valve
- Replace inverter coolant pump
- Replace front struts and rear shocks
- Replace transaxle ATF fluid at least at 60K mile intervals
- Replace 12V battery at 4-year intervals if you have a snowy winter; otherwise replace at 6-year intervals

I do not recommend replacing the engine coolant pump until it shows signs of failure (i.e., weeping at the shaft seal) because it is easy to see when the weeping starts, hence you'll have some advance notice and can take timely action. This assumes that you periodically check the engine compartment, inspect your engine oil level per the dipstick, check coolant and brake fluid levels, look for fluid leaks, etc.

My post #290 on the 100K mile club shows the maintenance that I performed on my 2004, which now has 107K miles.
100,000 Mile Club

[autoxic]

I have 189,000 miles on my 2004. I change my oil and filter, and I have had the PCV and spark plugs replaced once. I did get a new 12V battery at 150K or so. I've put two sets of Michelin HydroEdge tires on my car. I guess I've been lucky so far, but maybe I should at least get my Prius checked out soon.

I did do the bare minimum recommended services until 100K or so, but I've been letting it ride since then, watching for problems, but finding none lately. I'm on the original brakes too, so I guess I'm just enjoying the low maintenance cost of my car. Am I dooming my Prius to premature failure, or am I being thrifty and saving up for a new Prius?

I'm pretty sure that if I bring my car to my dealership, they will find $1000 of maintenance my car needs. I just want to do what is necessary to get to around 225,000 miles, which should take me about 15 months. Convince me that I should get some parts and fluids replaced this summer.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by autoxic

...I just want to do what is necessary to get to around 225,000 miles, which should take me about 15 months. Convince me that I should get some parts and fluids replaced this summer.

This string provides plenty of advice about the maintenance that needs to be done at various mileage intervals. The implicit assumption behind the advice is that you want the car to last for an indefinite period of time.

The major reasons for unscheduled vehicle downtime include tire failure and a dead 12V battery. It appears that you are paying attention to those items. The most important preventive maintenance is regular engine oil and oil filter changes, and you are doing that.

It seems that you are trying to identify problems before they cause a failure. It also seems that you have a specific remaining lifetime in mind for your car, and would not be upset if the car has an unscheduled failure due to lack of maintenance (for example, overheating of the engine or inverter due to a clogged system.)

Should that be the case, then there's no problem with you continuing to do what you are doing. I would not waste your time and mine by trying to convince you to do additional maintenance. Good luck.

[KJR]

My local Toyota dealer wants $482.41 for this 30K service:
We will perform the following services:
Replace Engine Air Filter
Check and Replace Air Conditioning filter (HEPA)
Inspect Ball Joints & Dust Covers
Inspect Brake Lines & Hoses
Inspect Coolant Condition
Inspect Drive Shaft Boots
Inspect Exhaust Pipes & Mountings
Inspect Fuel FIller Cap Gasket
Inspect Front Differential Oil
Inspect Fuel Tank, Lines, Connections & Hoses
Inspect Radiator Core & Condenser
Inspect Steering Gear, Linkage & Boots
Inspect Transmission Fluid or Oil
Inspect Thickness Measurement & Disc Runout
Oil & Filter Change
Rotate & Balance all 4 Tires
Clean Battery Terminals
Lubricate Locks, Latches, and Hinges
Clean Throttle Body & Adjust Idle
Brake Fluid Change
Clean & Adjust Rear Brakes/Adjust Parking Brake

I purchased the air and cabin air filters from O'Reilly's auto parts for $22.00. I had new tires installed in June so I'm not ready for rotation. Toyota doesn't recommend a brake fluid change at this mileage. Why would the rear brakes need adjusting, don't rear drums adjust themselves when you back up? I never use the parking brake and it feels OK. Most of the inspections are just visual and would take less than 10 minutes to do all on the list.

I notice a lot of dealerships have bays used for only oil changing. They probably have the least paid, least trained technicians running that line so the other work in the list would have to go into the shop where the $100/hr technicians work.

Kelvin

[rusty houndog]

At 30K you might consider converting engine oil to 100% synthetic. Bring your own, pay for a new filter, and have that as your 30K service. Any normal Toyota dealership will perform all those inspections as a normal part of any service visit!
My experience with 100% synthetic oil has been excellent. Toyota European change intervals for rock oil are 10K miles; US rock oils suck canal water. Normal intervals for 100% synthetic oil is 20K miles. That's what I've been using, with no problems whatsoever. There were over 76K miles on my 2007 when I traded it for a different Prius.

[jgoff]

What is the recommendation on replacing the struts? I have a 2006 with about 80k miles. I haven't had any issues with breaking or rough riding, but the place that changes my oil suggests doing it every 50,000 miles. Am I overdue?

[Patrick Wong]

At 80K miles it is highly likely that your front struts and rear shocks need replacement. However I would also say that the difference between new and worn suspension parts is subtle while the replacement cost is quite high, potentially $2K+ at many Toyota dealers.

[rusty houndog]

Originally Posted by jgoff

What is the recommendation on replacing the struts? I have a 2006 with about 80k miles. I haven't had any issues with breaking or rough riding, but the place that changes my oil suggests doing it every 50,000 miles. Am I overdue?

Struts would be covered by your extended warranty. Wait until you need them replaced. It ain't a time thing. You'll feel the need.

Your oil change place seems to be completely ignorant on Prius part life and should not be listened to. One of their buds must have a boat payment due.

[ML Diggs]

Originally Posted by rusty houndog

Struts would be covered by your extended warranty. Wait until you need them replaced. It ain't a time thing. You'll feel the need.

Your oil change place seems to be completely ignorant on Prius part life and should not be listened to. One of their buds must have a boat payment due.

I wouldn't go to that shop again, and I would write a letter telling them why. None of the cars I've ever owned needed struts before 100k miles, except the Datsun I had in college and drove 3000 miles across the country with every book and album I owned (the tires rubbed the wheel wells on bumps!!) When businesses do that kind of thing, I go looking for them on Dex Knows and Citysearch. They need to be taught a lesson!