200,000 Mile Club

[bayareapilot]

Originally Posted by HybridOrDiesel

Man, all of that for 200,000 miles.

Did the Prius seem worth it? Seems like you'd pay a serious premuim over a comparably equipped gas car like a Corolla.

I'm on the fence with this issue about hybrid technology and the numbers and the environmental impacts don't seem to add up. Mileage as it seems isn't everything..

I have to admit that when the Yaris came out and a few friends who had got one were telling the mileage figures (which were better than the 'official' numbers and darned close ((or in some cases, equal)) to what I was getting in my Prius) I started wondering about my investment in the Prius. I have to guess (just guessing) that for the extra $$ I've spent on the Prius that I have a much more solid car. Any car I drive has to take on LOTS of annual mileage and have a minimum of maintenance. Now when my friends have some miles on the Yaris (which I think starts at around $11,900 or something like that) I'll have a better idea how the car holds up.

[bayareapilot]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

I think the serpentine belt could fail any day. Suggest you consider replacing it soon, rather than wait for it to fail and have you on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck. The part should cost around $20 at your dealer and you'll probably be charged for an hour of labor (this is a fairly easy DIY repair, I've posted previously on how to do.)

The 2010 has an electric engine water pump, so it is true that no external belts are present.

Quick follow-up question about having the belt replaced (and I agree that I must do it SOON). Most of my service I have done at my Toyota dealer. I have a mechanic who I have used for a million years on all my other cars (still stop by for tires and tire repairs). If the belt is a DIY, would any good mechanic be able to replace the belt? I take it that replacing the belt wouldn't be some model specific specialty? Just wondering.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by bayareapilot

... I have a mechanic who I have used for a million years on all my other cars (still stop by for tires and tire repairs). If the belt is a DIY, would any good mechanic be able to replace the belt?

Yes. The only Prius-specific knowledge that the mechanic needs for this job is how to make the car IG-OFF.

While you are at it, you might ask your mechanic about your check engine light and see if s/he can replace the oxygen sensor. 2G Prius has two sensors: the one upstream of the catalytic converter is an air/fuel ratio sensor while the one downstream is a standard oxygen sensor. The DTC will show which sensor has failed. This will get you ready for 2010 or whenever the CA ARB figures out how to smog-test hybrids.

[bayareapilot]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Yes. The only Prius-specific knowledge that the mechanic needs for this job is how to make the car IG-OFF.

While you are at it, you might ask your mechanic about your check engine light and see if s/he can replace the oxygen sensor. 2G Prius has two sensors: the one upstream of the catalytic converter is an air/fuel ratio sensor while the one downstream is a standard oxygen sensor. The DTC will show which sensor has failed. This will get you ready for 2010 or whenever the CA ARB figures out how to smog-test hybrids.

Many thanks! BTW, the dealership quote me $135 to install the belt. Went to my favorite mechanic; he told me it would take a half hour, tops and labor would be $45. Those dealerships; talk about robbery without a gun!

I'll ask him about the cost of replacing the O2 sensor (once we figure out which one is causing the check engine light to come on), I'll bet it will be a far better cry than what the dealership will want to do it for. I'm having the belt replaced on this Friday and the owner is cool with the belt I bought from Toyota being used for the install (some mechanics will only insist on using parts they source - but I have the toyota receipts/packaging for the belt so it is clearly not a risky knock-off).

[brownsnoutuk]

update, im at 22x,xxx miles and just replaced the rear drivers side bearing. $140ish from Napa AutoParts, 15 minute fix.

[usbseawolf2000]

What was the symptom of that bearing going bad? More road noise?

[brownsnoutuk]

increased road noise. I ignored it for a couple of months and the tire has feathered.

[jesse]

160,000. toyota prius 2008,navigation system,leather,bluetoh,aux for ipod,all working perfect. same brake pads,oil change and sugested services like sparck plus one. allways at dealer at 5000,miles.odometer picture coming..........at 200000.
i have to go...and drive my prius.bye.