Prius Service Specialist

[OUscarb]

I thought I would pass along an experience I had when we picked up our 06 Prius a few days ago. We got the tour of the dealership, met all the sales folk, and service guys. I seen the "Prius Certified Tech" certificate on display and asked about repair work. I was told that if a Prius needs repair of any kind, the "Certified Tech" is the only one that works on it. He has x amount of time/hours to fix any problem. If he can't fix it, he has a number to call to a "Master Tech", and together, they fix the problem. If they can't, apparently, Toyota flies someone in who builds/fixes only Prius' to correct the problem.

No other mechanics touch the car. Only the Certified Specialist.

If this is true, then you can rest easy when you take your Prius in for repairs.

[Bill Merchant]

Just be sure you understand what "repairs" means. In another thread, I think Galaxee said, if it has to do with high voltage or the HSD/PowerSplit Device, a Prius Tech works on your car. The guys who change your oil and rotate your tires are not Prius Techs. Weird noise in the dash? Not the Prius Tech. Washer fluid not squirting? Not Prius Tech.

On the other hand, if the dealer has a Tech who owns a Prius, you're in pretty good hands...

[andyprius]

Originally posted by Bill Merchant@Dec 25 2005, 12:24 AM
.

On the other hand, if the dealer has a Tech who owns a Prius, you're in pretty good hands...[/code]

[snapback]178788[/snapback]

Very good point. My defunct 12V accessory battery was not replaced the first time as no load test was performed. Most mechanics understand nothing of electricity and with electronics they are clueless. Simple battery operation is beyond thier realm. (all rules have exceptions).

[narf]

Originally posted by Bill Merchant@Dec 24 2005, 10:24 PM
Just be sure you understand what "repairs" means. In another thread, I think Galaxee said, if it has to do with high voltage or the HSD/PowerSplit Device, a Prius Tech works on you car. The guys who change your oil and rotate your tires are not Prius Techs. Weird noise in the dash? Not the Prius Tech. Washer fluid not squirting? Not Prius Tech.

On the other hand, if the dealer has a Tech who owns a Prius, you're in pretty good hands...[/code]

[snapback]178788[/snapback]

Right! I had my 05 in to replace a radio under warrent. (The knob broke off). It came back with screws crossthreaded in the dash and lots new rattles. I'm still working on repairing/replacing the broken and misassembled pieces. I'm sure it wasn't a Prius Certified tech that did this one. At this point it's way eaisier for me to fix it myself than to take it back again and complain.

[mmfjj]

Originally posted by OUscarb@Dec 25 2005, 01:11 AM
I was told that if a Prius needs repair of any kind, the "Certified Tech" is the only one that works on it. He has x amount of time/hours to fix any problem. If he can't fix it, he has a number to call to a "Master Tech", and together, they fix the problem. If they can't, apparently, Toyota flies someone in who builds/fixes only Prius' to correct the problem.

[snapback]178786[/snapback]

This was exactly what I was told in 2000. I'm surprised they still use this line. It made sense back then, but the reality was quite different. My 01 was in the shop for the same problems multiple times, often for multiple days. No one was ever "flown in". One problem was finally fixed because I found a solution from a fellow Prius owner via an Internet chat group. Apparently his dealer had a more competent tech. Another time, I was sent home with a charge of $80+ for diagnosis becasue they could not reproduce the problem, despite multiple error codes in the log. By the way, this dealer has 5 Prius-certified techs.

Everything is finally fixed now.

I'll be picking up an 06 Pkg 7 on the 2nd. If I hear the same line again I'll ask them how many times they had to fly someone in last year

[paprius4030]

At the dealership I use for service, the Prius tech does the oil changes ect. except when he is busy fixing other Prius. Then the lube guy does it but he is all up on the Prius also. Between this Prius and my old one I've had about 10 oil changes there and never a screw up.

[galaxee]

first, thanks to Bill for clarifying, now i don't have to

they'll give techs whatever flat rate is for the problem, that's what they get paid.

but as far as time to fix the problem, a good tech will take as much time as he needs to ensure that it's done right the first time. this may be a couple days if it's an intermittent problem, etc.

they have a technical assistance team that they call to document and solve unusual cases, and the people there are very helpful. between the assistance guys and the techs they can usually knock the problem out.

each tech has his own credentials. i forget how the system goes because they're changing it to meet higher demands for service because of higher numbers of prii on the road, but to be a Prius tech you have to have an ASE Master certification and be Toyota certified, plus you have to either be Toyota Master certified or have taken a number of prerequisite classes at UOT. something along those lines.

never heard of anyone being flown in- unless they mean the regional rep who has the HV battery charger...

oh yeah and who does your oil varies by dealer. if you go to an express lube no prius tech is changing your oil, i assure you.

[hdrygas]

Originally posted by galaxee@Dec 25 2005, 11:42 AM
first, thanks to Bill for clarifying, now i don't have to

they'll give techs whatever flat rate is for the problem, that's what they get paid.

but as far as time to fix the problem, a good tech will take as much time as he needs to ensure that it's done right the first time. this may be a couple days if it's an intermittent problem, etc.

they have a technical assistance team that they call to document and solve unusual cases, and the people there are very helpful. between the assistance guys and the techs they can usually knock the problem out.

each tech has his own credentials. i forget how the system goes because they're changing it to meet higher demands for service because of higher numbers of prii on the road, but to be a Prius tech you have to have an ASE Master certification and be Toyota certified, plus you have to either be Toyota Master certified or have taken a number of prerequisite classes at UOT. something along those lines.

never heard of anyone being flown in- unless they mean the regional rep who has the HV battery charger...

oh yeah and who does your oil varies by dealer. if you go to an express lube no prius tech is changing your oil, i assure you.

[snapback]178898[/snapback]

I have actually seen a post (or two?) where Toyota did bring in engineers to help with a problem. The one I remember the best had to do with the handling issue. At least on the face of it can happen and I had no reason not to believe the poster.

[mmfjj]

Originally posted by hdrygas@Dec 26 2005, 12:34 AM
I have actually seen a post (or two?) where Toyota did bring in engineers to help with a problem.  The one I remember the best had to do with the handling issue.  At least on the face of it can happen and I had no reason not to believe the poster.

[snapback]179079[/snapback]

I'm sure no one on this thread had reason not to believe the poster. In fact, I have no reason not to believe Toyota. I believe they meant it, at least during the Classic era when Prius techs were scarce and inexperienced. The problems were usually at the dealer level. If the dealer's attitude was "The car seems OK today and we have other things to do; bring it back when it's REALLY dead", it's up to the customer to make noise at the regional level. I never made much noise, so I had only myself to blame.

On the other hand, I think some dealers make a big deal about "Prius techs" just to scare you into bringing in the car for every little thing. There's no reason not to let your trusted local mechanics change the oil, oil filter and air filters, or do these things yourself.