100,000 Mile Club

[ScubaGypsy]

Purchased my 2003 Classic new in April 2003 and now have 102,000 on it.

I've averaged 45-55 mpg depending on the season although I just purchased a heat plug and will also block the grill next winter as it will be interesting to see if there are performance gains. My last tank was 56 mpg.

Major costs have included 3 sets of tires, an A/C compressor replacement and an engine control module (warranty). I haven't replaced the tran. battery yet but will before next fall as I had a couple of issues last winter. I also recently noted that my headlight housings are beginning to cloud a little so I'd like to replace them. I have a couple of nicks on the rear passenger side where I'm supposing that someone's car door made contact and I have some scratches on the top of the trunk from placing scuba tanks up before I put them on!

[radioguy]

Today I marked the 3rd anniversary of picking up my stock Prius...bought it this day, June 6th, 2005. Now have 104,832 miles on it. Three sets of tires, one windshield (due to rock chips, very common here in Houston), and two displays-one died and was replaced by the dealer for 50% of a new one (it was way out of warranty when it died, but the dealer got me a refurbished one and installed it for around $350.00), the second one crapped out due to the Ipod accessory I purchased and installed about a year and a half ago (it's the unit that's sold on the PriusChat site). Evidently, the accessory itself died, and took the display with it. Once taken out of circuit, the display came back to life. Go figure!

Generally getting anywhere between 48-51 mpg in and around the Houston area. I notice that when I go north, the mileage deteriorates markedly.

A really great car. I will probably replace it with a 2010 if and when it comes out, and if I can even get one-one of the Toyota dealers told me they've stopped taking orders for the 2008 since they can't tell customers (who've paid a deposit) when there cars will even get to the dealership.

Radioguy in Houston

[footprintx]

I'm at just over 105,000 miles and am now out of my super-warranty. I've had to replace the tires once (I bought 80,000 mile-warranty Perrellis at 40,000 so I've still got 15,000 miles theoretically on my tires), not including a couple nails (also under a hazard warranty I bought for them from America's Tires).

I've had a chip in my windshield for about a year and a half now that I've been meaning to fill with that epoxy stuff, but haven't gotten around to it.

The upholstery is starting to look a little ragged; various stains on my passenger seat (where I usually put my lunch, and occasionally spill it), and the arm rest on the drivers side. The button on my glove compartment (upper) has most of its paint chipped off it after a slight scratch grew over time.

The plastic piece that covers the undercarriage has broken the holes which hold the clips up. There's only one clip left holding the whole thing up and sometimes it comes undone and I have to pull over and tuck it back in. That's recent, and I'll probably be taking it in Monday unless someone gives me a better idea in my post in the maintenance thread.

When can I expect the batteries to go out? I know those are under warranty for another 45,000 miles, but what should I be looking out for as signs and symptoms of a failing battery?

---

Edit: Forgot to mention this! Back before the recall with the gas engine shutting off, I had the problems associated with it, and brought it into the dealer. This was before the recall actually came out so nobody actually knew what the heck was going on. The dealer just started replacing computers and did two computers in the system (a brake computer and something else). The bill was over $6,000 charged to warranty. The problem went away. A few months later, I got the recall notice and recognized the symptoms they described, and had the car updated, but I can't help but think they replaced two computers at enormous cost for no reason.

[artie]

Hit a 100 grand (!) April 13, now at 103-ish. Car has been trouble free, and a joy to drive and own. Thanks Toyota.

[tochatihu]

Footprintx: If you haven't fixed the windshield chip in 18 months, my understanding is that the UV cure epoxy will not be effective. Next time a rock hits you, try to respond within a week or 2.

I think you should expect that the HV battery will never go out. For a small proportion of prius within 300k miles, it will. We are still working on knowing that proportion.

The symptoms may include reduced fuel economy, rapidly varying battery SOC display and of course the ! inside the triangle. However none of those are unique to the battery.

Symtoms may also include: shortness of breath, rash, and blurred vision. Contact PriusChat if you experience any of those and do not operate heavy machinery.

[artie]

Now that I have the big 100K, I've suddenly wondered what will be the expected life of the aux. battery? My car is now 4.5 years old, no signs of battery weakness, as in the lights not working. No wheezing, and the car can still fit in the same clothes it wore at birth!

[HTMLSpinnr]

My 2004 (obtained 10/2003) just rolled over 100,000 tonight. More or less trouble free for me as well. Paid it off a few months ago, so it feels great to be mine.

Things I've had done:

• Both tail lamp assemblies (under warranty) - the hot Phoenix sun melted the horizontal black "slats" that separated the brake light LEDs. Updated parts have held up just fine.
• On my 3rd windshield, and it has a small star chip received 1 week after previous replacement (insurance covers all glass). Rearview mirror seems to be loose on this one, I think they lost the rubber pad that insulates vibration when they installed :-(
• On my 3rd set of tires. 1st replacement was OEM Integrity tires, however after having a scary inability to stop in the rain, I decided to try Goodyear Allegras (Sam's Club brand) for the 2nd replacement. There's still substantial tred left after installing at about 65k miles. 2-3mpg hit though.
• Usual 5-6k mile oil changes and 30k air and cabin air filter changes.
• PSD "lifetime" transmission fluid @ 60k. Will likely do again @ 120k.
• Armrest - fabric came loose under warranty, had the compartment lid replaced
• Left tail lamp - all other lights/bulbs are original
• Left fog lamp housing - rock took it out, can't believe they're glass.
• Wiper blades - rear wiper seems to be a dealer only part :-(
• 2 alignments (again, mostly a dealer thing w/ VSC).

"Still Original" items that on other cars would have been long since replaced:

• Brake pads/shoes (still have substantial life)
• Struts/shocks (no sign of excessive wear)
• Both batteries (though I think the 12V may need replacement by next winter)
• Coolant (will keep an eye on color)

Items that could stand maintenance:

• Upper glove box - springs broke free and warped my dash - dash cover seems to hide well though.
• General wash - it's always dirty
• Wheel trim rings have long brittled and broken, decided if one or two were unservicable, pull them all off.
• Several missing clips for underside "facias" and "spoilers".
• Tire Balance... never enough time to get in for that "free" balance/rotate @ Sam's Club

All in all, I'm happy, and will keep my eye out for the next revision, provided it handles 3 kids (#3 is on the way).

[Spectra]

Great detailed info, Rick!

39 mph is the perfect Prius-pace for passing 100K -- wishing you many more!

[Kutanks]

My mom put about 112000 miles on our 2001 Teal Prius. Im pretty sure that the battery was replaced due to the recall. the only other problems were when she hit a deer and when she backed into the garage and dented the rear quarter panel.

[tomiha]

I have an '05 Tideland Pearl at 102,000 miles. Other than being hit by a Texas deer, no significant problems. First set of tires lasted 60K miles (40psi) and current set is still very good. Original brakes. Last tank was 48 mpg, normal is 45+. Putting in some new spark plugs this weekend (Iridium, 90,000 mile type). Use Mobil 1, change my own oil, filters, maintenance. Great car!! Looking to get a second. I have had no repairs by the dealer. Will soon have the inverter fluid changed out (100k recommended).