Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston?

dbarry · 10-12-2009, 02:29 PM

Wanted to have the transaxle fluid changed on my 2005 Prius/80K miles.. Called four different Toyota Dealers in Houston and..

1. They all want between $349 and $400 for the change!
2. ALL claim it takes 2-3 hours, and "the computer" to ...
3. Get the oil temp to the correct temperature to change it.

From what I've been reading, this sounds like total B.S. - can anyone shed any light on this?? What really scares me is it seems every dealer says the same thing.

Don

Patrick Wong · 10-12-2009, 02:40 PM

Yes, #2 and #3 from your list are untrue relative to Prius. Maybe the service writers you are talking to are thinking of a normal automatic transmission where 3 is always true and 2 might be.

Regarding #1 from your list, if you DIY you'll save around $310 - $360 based upon your quoted prices. Is that enough motivation for you to learn to DIY? If so there are many posts about how to do the job quickly and painlessly. Good luck.

Navigator · 10-12-2009, 03:12 PM

I certainly hope that #2 and #3 are not true--I just changed my tranny fluid yesterday without worrying about the oil temperature or the computer.

I did, however, take the car for a little spin before doing the work, just to optimize the amount of particulate matter suspended in the fluid rather than laying on various parts inside the transaxle. But that's something that should be done with any vehicle.

jbumps wvu mntrs · 10-12-2009, 03:26 PM

For that price, it seems to me you have three options.

1.) Get screwed over by your local Toyota Stealership.
2.) DIY - I did mine a few months back and it was no harder than changing your oil. Would be happy to send instructions on the funnel I made to refill.
3.) Buy your own fluid and take it to an independent shop or a Meineke etc... I've taken my previous car (Ford Focus) to the Meineke here in Morgantown and had excellent luck every time - I can all but guarantee that they would be less than half of your quotes.

dbarry · 10-12-2009, 03:55 PM

Does anyone have a Toyota Service manual procedure for this? I'd love to get a scan of the procedure if it says nothing about a computer or temperature - and shove it under the service manager's nose. Or take it to my local TV station.

It's like this borders on outright fraud! Toyota, are you reading this??

dbarry · 10-12-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbumps wvu mntrs

For that price, it seems to me you have three options.

1.) Get screwed over by your local Toyota Stealership.
2.) DIY - I did mine a few months back and it was no harder than changing your oil. Would be happy to send instructions on the funnel I made to refill.
3.) Buy your own fluid and take it to an independent shop or a Meineke etc... I've taken my previous car (Ford Focus) to the Meineke here in Morgantown and had excellent luck every time - I can all but guarantee that they would be less than half of your quotes.

Any funnel info welcome.. seems to me it's a funnel with 3' of rubber hose on the end of it, enough to snake it into the level-check hole. Right?

2009Prius · 10-12-2009, 04:50 PM

For DIY here is a good place to start:

Changing Transaxle oil

Good luck!

dogfriend · 10-12-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarry

Does anyone have a Toyota Service manual procedure for this? I'd love to get a scan of the procedure if it says nothing about a computer or temperature

There is no mention of computer or temperature in the service manual.

jayman · 10-13-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarry

3. Get the oil temp to the correct temperature to change it.

Don

Sounds like the confused my FJ with your Prius

Oh, and even for the FJ (No dipstick, there is an "overflow check plug" on the trans pan) those prices are WAY out of line. I can get my FJ trans serviced for $90 Cdn!

SageBrush · 10-13-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarry

Does anyone have a Toyota Service manual procedure for this? I'd love to get a scan of the procedure if it says nothing about a computer or temperature - and shove it under the service manager's nose. Or take it to my local TV station.

It's like this borders on outright fraud! Toyota, are you reading this??

A high price is not fraud, it just makes it less worthwhile for you to agree to.

Changing this oil is silly simple. You can DIY in less time than you will spend whining here.

10-12-2009, 03:26 PM	#4
jbumps wvu mntrs PC Superfan Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Morgantown, West Virginia Posts: 41 My Car: 2010 Prius On Order Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston? For that price, it seems to me you have three options. 1.) Get screwed over by your local Toyota Stealership. 2.) DIY - I did mine a few months back and it was no harder than changing your oil. Would be happy to send instructions on the funnel I made to refill. 3.) Buy your own fluid and take it to an independent shop or a Meineke etc... I've taken my previous car (Ford Focus) to the Meineke here in Morgantown and had excellent luck every time - I can all but guarantee that they would be less than half of your quotes.

10-12-2009, 03:55 PM	#5
dbarry Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 113 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston? Does anyone have a Toyota Service manual procedure for this? I'd love to get a scan of the procedure if it says nothing about a computer or temperature - and shove it under the service manager's nose. Or take it to my local TV station. It's like this borders on outright fraud! Toyota, are you reading this??

10-12-2009, 04:50 PM	#7
2009Prius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Posts: 438 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 246 Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts Friends: 19	Re: Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston? For DIY here is a good place to start: Changing Transaxle oil Good luck!

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10-12-2009, 02:29 PM	#1
dbarry Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 113 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston? Wanted to have the transaxle fluid changed on my 2005 Prius/80K miles.. Called four different Toyota Dealers in Houston and.. 1. They all want between $349 and $400 for the change! 2. ALL claim it takes 2-3 hours, and "the computer" to ... 3. Get the oil temp to the correct temperature to change it. From what I've been reading, this sounds like total B.S. - can anyone shed any light on this?? What really scares me is it seems every dealer says the same thing. Don

10-12-2009, 02:40 PM	#2
Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Green Valley, AZ Posts: 4,053 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 21 Thanked 213 Times in 184 Posts Friends: 44	Re: Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston? Yes, #2 and #3 from your list are untrue relative to Prius. Maybe the service writers you are talking to are thinking of a normal automatic transmission where 3 is always true and 2 might be. Regarding #1 from your list, if you DIY you'll save around $310 - $360 based upon your quoted prices. Is that enough motivation for you to learn to DIY? If so there are many posts about how to do the job quickly and painlessly. Good luck. Last edited by Patrick Wong; 10-12-2009 at 02:43 PM.

10-12-2009, 03:12 PM	#3
Navigator Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 22 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Transaxle fluid change ripoff in Houston? I certainly hope that #2 and #3 are not true--I just changed my tranny fluid yesterday without worrying about the oil temperature or the computer. I did, however, take the car for a little spin before doing the work, just to optimize the amount of particulate matter suspended in the fluid rather than laying on various parts inside the transaxle. But that's something that should be done with any vehicle.