76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon

GreenAdventuress · 10-14-2008, 06:55 PM

hi everyone,
I am new and thought I would post my fuel mileage.....smile....I have a 2006 Prius with over 76,000 miles on it and get between 50-55 miles per gallon regularly. I still do a happy dance when I fill up....but am getting concerned because of the age of my car....Many owners tell me I will be needing a new (engine?) soon and it will cost over five thousand dollars......any thoughts? Is this true?
Thanks and be safe out there...
Teresa

darelldd · 10-15-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenAdventuress

hi everyone,
I am new and thought I would post my fuel mileage.....smile....I have a 2006 Prius with over 76,000 miles on it and get between 50-55 miles per gallon regularly. I still do a happy dance when I fill up....but am getting concerned because of the age of my car....Many owners tell me I will be needing a new (engine?) soon and it will cost over five thousand dollars......any thoughts? Is this true?
Thanks and be safe out there...
Teresa

Hi Teresa -

Well, I'm not sure why you're posting in this thread... but uh... just who are these "many owners? There's no reason to fear needing a new engine. What you CAN fear if you wish - is being happy about pouring gasoline into your car. That is scary.

justlurkin · 10-15-2008, 02:28 AM

Teresa,

Read your warranty manual.

Whoever thinks a Prius needs to have its "engine" or any part of its hybrid system replaced at 76,000 miles are definitely NOT Prius owners.

Real Prius owners know better than that. Like I said, read your warranty manual and you will see why. The numbers 8 / 100,000 have something to do with it. (or 10 / 150,000 if you are in one of the 8 states with California-standard emissions laws).

Flying White Dutchman · 10-15-2008, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenAdventuress

hi everyone,
I am new and thought I would post my fuel mileage.....smile....I have a 2006 Prius with over 76,000 miles on it and get between 50-55 miles per gallon regularly. I still do a happy dance when I fill up....but am getting concerned because of the age of my car....Many owners tell me I will be needing a new (engine?) soon and it will cost over five thousand dollars......any thoughts? Is this true?
Thanks and be safe out there...
Teresa

iff that where the case toyota will need to replace every engine from every prius on the planet....
warranty

**TonyPSchaefer** · 10-15-2008, 09:39 AM

There are taxis that have exceeded several times your current mileage.
Toyota Prius Taxi Cracks 550,000 km

snijd · 10-15-2008, 09:51 AM

I can't resist...
Yes, the engine is no doubt on its last legs. Please sell it to me, and I'll replace my old Mercedes. Its engine is no doubt about to fall apart, with over 230,000 miles on the odometer, and no major repairs. Also consumes no oil. But it did have good maintenance during the past 22 years. I expect my Prius to go as far, with good maintenance. I guess Ill find out, eventually...

blamy · 10-15-2008, 11:59 AM

Even a normal ICE car wouldn't need its engine replaced at 76,000 miles and the Prius has way less wear on its engine than a normal ICE. I suspect that someone is jealous that you have a car that costs so much less to operate that they make disparaging remarks in order to make you feel bad about your choice of vehicle and that you really should have bought that Hummer after all! You know what they say; Misery loves company. Take their remarks for what they are worth! Absolutely nothing! Enjoy your Prius and do the regular maintenance and most of all ENJOY!!!!!

GreenAdventuress · 10-15-2008, 12:01 PM

Thank you for moving my post Evan, I will certainly be more careful in the future particularly after reading the replies here and your suggesting, " people are much more understanding about things when you post there." referring to the newbie forum. Boy, I hope so. The tone of every one of these replies is either antagonistic or downright snotty. I would've thought people had better things to do with their time than trying to make others feel bad. No Darell, I am not happy to be putting gasoline in my car, but at having to use less of it........They hybrid system does go out on these vehicles, albeit rarely, and a rather well known radio host in Seattle had to replace his around fifty thousand miles. No it isn't common, but it happens. And Rob, nothing positive to say there, just snide remarks. Forgive my ignorance in these matters, but I would never try to make myself big by deliberately trying to make someone else feel small. By the way, it didn't work.

Teresa

jelloslug · 10-15-2008, 01:20 PM

I have found, in general, that people are usually full of crap. If for some reason you actually did need a new engine (not that you would) they can be had very cheap ($500 or so). This is because there is no demand for replacement engines (or motor/transaxles) because they usually don't break that often. If one were to part out a Prius you could get more for a good coolant thermos can than for an entire engine.

Shawn Clark · 10-15-2008, 05:22 PM

GreenAdventures,

Yes, PC can be pretty snotty at times, but helpful too so don't let a few flippant replies run you off. I was hoping someone would address what the real basis probably is to your question. Hasn't happened so I'll take a stab at it: Most likely the person believed your battery/hybrid drive would soon fail.

There's been a lot of FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) thrown around about that in the mainstream of non-Prius owners. There is a finite lifetime to the traction battery. With an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty in most states and 10 yr/150K in California (and some other states) on the current Prius Hybrid system/battery you really shouldn't have a major concern.

The traction battery has a relatively long life because Toyota's hybrid management system takes pains to keep it in a safe charge range. As I understand it, few have failed under warranty. Some conditions (lots of cycling back and forth from high to low charge, running hot, etc.) will likely result in quicker failure. I don't think anyone knows what the mean time between failures will be but it is almost certainly substantially over 100,000 miles and probably over 150,000 miles--else Toyota would get murdered on warranty battery replacement.

If you do have to replace it, the battery can be had for something under $2,000. Yes the cost would be substantial, but is no worse than a transmission job in other vehicles. And some other vehicles were notorious for transmissions failing short of 100k.

There are some other drive components that can fail as I understand it, the riskiest/potentially most expensive being the inverter. It is susceptible to inverter coolant pump failure or more importantly to improper jump starting. Replacing a failed pump is reasonable. However, the inverter repair with a new one is on the order of $5,000 but a salvage one can be had for around $1,000 (if I've been paying attention.)

The Prius internal combustion engine (ICE) is unlikely to fail in the lifetime of the vehicle. It doesn't get all that much work compared to many other vehicles and engines have become very reliable over the past three decades.

If I've misstated anything, someone will likely correct me.

10-14-2008, 06:55 PM	#1
GreenAdventuress Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 4 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon hi everyone, I am new and thought I would post my fuel mileage.....smile....I have a 2006 Prius with over 76,000 miles on it and get between 50-55 miles per gallon regularly. I still do a happy dance when I fill up....but am getting concerned because of the age of my car....Many owners tell me I will be needing a new (engine?) soon and it will cost over five thousand dollars......any thoughts? Is this true? Thanks and be safe out there... Teresa

10-15-2008, 02:28 AM	#3
justlurkin Señor Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 315 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 11 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 1	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon Teresa, Read your warranty manual. Whoever thinks a Prius needs to have its "engine" or any part of its hybrid system replaced at 76,000 miles are definitely NOT Prius owners. Real Prius owners know better than that. Like I said, read your warranty manual and you will see why. The numbers 8 / 100,000 have something to do with it. (or 10 / 150,000 if you are in one of the 8 states with California-standard emissions laws).

10-15-2008, 09:39 AM	#5
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon There are taxis that have exceeded several times your current mileage. Toyota Prius Taxi Cracks 550,000 km

10-15-2008, 09:51 AM	#6
snijd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 129 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 3	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon I can't resist... Yes, the engine is no doubt on its last legs. Please sell it to me, and I'll replace my old Mercedes. Its engine is no doubt about to fall apart, with over 230,000 miles on the odometer, and no major repairs. Also consumes no oil. But it did have good maintenance during the past 22 years. I expect my Prius to go as far, with good maintenance. I guess Ill find out, eventually... Last edited by snijd; 10-15-2008 at 10:02 AM.

10-15-2008, 11:59 AM	#7
blamy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 359 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon Even a normal ICE car wouldn't need its engine replaced at 76,000 miles and the Prius has way less wear on its engine than a normal ICE. I suspect that someone is jealous that you have a car that costs so much less to operate that they make disparaging remarks in order to make you feel bad about your choice of vehicle and that you really should have bought that Hummer after all! You know what they say; Misery loves company. Take their remarks for what they are worth! Absolutely nothing! Enjoy your Prius and do the regular maintenance and most of all ENJOY!!!!! __________________ Every Government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others. Ayn Rand. 2007 Classic Silver / Package #2 2008 Silver Pine Mica / Package #6

10-15-2008, 12:01 PM	#8
GreenAdventuress Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 4 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon Thank you for moving my post Evan, I will certainly be more careful in the future particularly after reading the replies here and your suggesting, " people are much more understanding about things when you post there." referring to the newbie forum. Boy, I hope so. The tone of every one of these replies is either antagonistic or downright snotty. I would've thought people had better things to do with their time than trying to make others feel bad. No Darell, I am not happy to be putting gasoline in my car, but at having to use less of it........They hybrid system does go out on these vehicles, albeit rarely, and a rather well known radio host in Seattle had to replace his around fifty thousand miles. No it isn't common, but it happens. And Rob, nothing positive to say there, just snide remarks. Forgive my ignorance in these matters, but I would never try to make myself big by deliberately trying to make someone else feel small. By the way, it didn't work. Teresa

10-15-2008, 01:20 PM	#9
jelloslug It buffed right out! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 617 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Friends: 4	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon I have found, in general, that people are usually full of crap. If for some reason you actually did need a new engine (not that you would) they can be had very cheap ($500 or so). This is because there is no demand for replacement engines (or motor/transaxles) because they usually don't break that often. If one were to part out a Prius you could get more for a good coolant thermos can than for an entire engine.

10-15-2008, 05:22 PM	#10
Shawn Clark Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,071 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 112 Thanked 103 Times in 85 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 76,000 Miles, people tell me I will need a new engine soon GreenAdventures, Yes, PC can be pretty snotty at times, but helpful too so don't let a few flippant replies run you off. I was hoping someone would address what the real basis probably is to your question. Hasn't happened so I'll take a stab at it: Most likely the person believed your battery/hybrid drive would soon fail. There's been a lot of FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) thrown around about that in the mainstream of non-Prius owners. There is a finite lifetime to the traction battery. With an 8 year/100,000 mile warranty in most states and 10 yr/150K in California (and some other states) on the current Prius Hybrid system/battery you really shouldn't have a major concern. The traction battery has a relatively long life because Toyota's hybrid management system takes pains to keep it in a safe charge range. As I understand it, few have failed under warranty. Some conditions (lots of cycling back and forth from high to low charge, running hot, etc.) will likely result in quicker failure. I don't think anyone knows what the mean time between failures will be but it is almost certainly substantially over 100,000 miles and probably over 150,000 miles--else Toyota would get murdered on warranty battery replacement. If you do have to replace it, the battery can be had for something under $2,000. Yes the cost would be substantial, but is no worse than a transmission job in other vehicles. And some other vehicles were notorious for transmissions failing short of 100k. There are some other drive components that can fail as I understand it, the riskiest/potentially most expensive being the inverter. It is susceptible to inverter coolant pump failure or more importantly to improper jump starting. Replacing a failed pump is reasonable. However, the inverter repair with a new one is on the order of $5,000 but a salvage one can be had for around $1,000 (if I've been paying attention.) The Prius internal combustion engine (ICE) is unlikely to fail in the lifetime of the vehicle. It doesn't get all that much work compared to many other vehicles and engines have become very reliable over the past three decades. If I've misstated anything, someone will likely correct me.

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