Tricky service people

Padawan · 06-20-2006, 09:42 PM

I took my Prius to a Toyota dealership today to address the recall issue with the steering column. The service man noted that I had 14,000+ miles on my Prius and suggested I agree to have them do the 15,000 mile service. When I asked what this entailed, he listed the following: oil/filter change, brake pad inspection, change engine air filter, change a/c air filter, rotate tires, and replace windshield wipers - all for ~$260. He cautioned me that not doing so may create difficulties with warranty coverage in the future if anything goes wrong with the car. I was a little skeptical as I'd already done the oil change and tire rotation before, and I figured the air filters and brake pads were hardly worn and in no need of inspection or replacement. So I went to Toyota's website and found that Toyota itself only suggests oil/filter change and tire rotation at 15,000 miles. The air filters don't need to be changed until you hit 30,000 miles! So beware of dealerships trying to have you do things that aren't even recommended by the company.

Just an FYI from an otherwise very happy Prius owner.

BTW, ~15,000 miles so far and not a single complaint (except for a few creaks from the steering column which should be fixed with this recall) :-P

usbseawolf2000 · 06-20-2006, 10:08 PM

You mean tire rotation is at 15k right? oil and filter change is every 5k miles. I enjoy maintaining my Prius too.... It is approaching 8k miles for a 2nd oil change.

Dennis

Three60guy · 06-20-2006, 11:59 PM

Another advantage of pre-paid maintenance programs....

If any service person were to mention what was said to you I would merely show them the coupon.

galaxee · 06-21-2006, 10:07 AM

that's where they make their profit from owners less informed than you. good job turning that down, you don't need it.

jeromep · 06-21-2006, 04:30 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Three60guy @ Jun 20 2006, 08:59 PM) [snapback]274499[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Another advantage of pre-paid maintenance programs....

If any service person were to mention what was said to you I would merely show them the coupon.

[/b]

A better option is to whip out the service schedule book that came with the car and show them what Toyota says. That usually puts a frog in some service writer's throats pretty quick.

tnthub · 06-21-2006, 06:19 PM

That sounds extremely expensive to me. When the brake pads start to go you will hear them. An oil change is an oil change. Air filters need to be changed when they are dirty and depending on where you drive that could be as often as every oil change or as long as 10,000 miles or so. What I do not know about is the air conditioner filter. Tires need to be rotated if you want them to all wear out at the same time, otherwise leave them alone and do them in pairs.

Maybe it is just that I look at the compenents as simply components....

I have my oil changed at the same place every 3500 miles. Synthetic oils can go up to twice as long between changes but every 5000 miles is reasonable, again... It depends on how you drive. In any case, most of the "service check" items are things that do need to be examined but are typically not mission critical to be changed at particular points in mileage. Age, climate, and use has more to do with wiper degradation than miles for example.

For warranty purposes all you really need are receipts. i'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but this is basic practice with virtually all cars and I see no reason why the prius would be any different.

Maytrix · 06-21-2006, 06:31 PM

Most places will try to rip you off somehow. It's very difficult to find a completely honest service shop. Prior to the Prius I had a great place I'd go, but with the warranty, I just go back to the dealer and have found them reasonable to deal with.

I think any good shop though will give things a quick inspection and it only takes a few minutes to check the brake pads and filters. A good question to ask - How long will it take? Then factor in their hourly rate and what parts might be needed and you can get a good feel on if you are being ripped off.

Case in point: My wife made an appointment for her Subaru to have a recall taken care of. Plus she needed an oil change, brakes and their was a rattle that was annoying me (not her). She brought it in and they first told her they couldn't do the recall, because of the weather (I guess I can buy this based on the issue) and then after an hour, they told her she had a cracked head gasket and between that, the brakes and oil change, it would be about $1600. She told them, to not do anything but the oil change. She left and that weekend we went to the Cape where her brother has a shop. He took a look and found no leaks indicating a head gasket leak - car looked fine. He also ripped of the heat shield that was causing the rattling and replaced the brakes (he stated he was shocked they let her leave with them the way they were - they were really bad!).

It took him less than an hour to do all this and was about $100 in parts. Oh.. I forgot to add - aside from the oil change, the dealer took the time to install a license plate frame advertising their place. Needless to say, we'll never go back there. And if you want to know, this was Natick Subaru.

tnthub · 06-21-2006, 06:42 PM

Most oil changes take about 15 minutes in a shop, or 45 minutes on my front lawn...
The brakes can be chacked when they rotate the tires because they are visible when the wheels come off. The air filter should take less than 5 minutes to examine. I have no idea about the AC filter.

Basically a Jiffy Lube type of place could do all the work with the possible exception of havng the AC filter in stock... NAPA is a good source for parts and often the prices can be half what the dealer charges.

Parts in the automotive insustry are like often OEM parts. Car companies buy parts and brand them, change the packaging, and add a huge markup. NAPA, for example, uses Valvoline brand oil for their NAPA brand and I have used it for many years in an assortment of vehicles. However a different store, Pep Boys for example, may use someone elses oil but because I do not know where it comes from I would not trust it in my car. Catsrol, Penzoil, Quaker State, Havoline.... And other brand names all offer good consistent products. The trick is to pick one and just stay with it. When the warranty runs out and if you decide to go elsewhere for basic service, you may want to continue with the brand of oil used by the dealer. One of their mechanics will likely tell you the brand whereas the "service advisor" will simply tell you something.

06-21-2006, 06:19 PM	#6
tnthub Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 463 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That sounds extremely expensive to me. When the brake pads start to go you will hear them. An oil change is an oil change. Air filters need to be changed when they are dirty and depending on where you drive that could be as often as every oil change or as long as 10,000 miles or so. What I do not know about is the air conditioner filter. Tires need to be rotated if you want them to all wear out at the same time, otherwise leave them alone and do them in pairs. Maybe it is just that I look at the compenents as simply components.... I have my oil changed at the same place every 3500 miles. Synthetic oils can go up to twice as long between changes but every 5000 miles is reasonable, again... It depends on how you drive. In any case, most of the "service check" items are things that do need to be examined but are typically not mission critical to be changed at particular points in mileage. Age, climate, and use has more to do with wiper degradation than miles for example. For warranty purposes all you really need are receipts. i'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but this is basic practice with virtually all cars and I see no reason why the prius would be any different. __________________ 2002 Champion New England Dragway 2001 GM High Tech Shootout Winner 1999 Champion Oxford Dragway http://www.tntdragracing.com

06-21-2006, 06:31 PM	#7
Maytrix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Marlborough, Mass Posts: 733 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Most places will try to rip you off somehow. It's very difficult to find a completely honest service shop. Prior to the Prius I had a great place I'd go, but with the warranty, I just go back to the dealer and have found them reasonable to deal with. I think any good shop though will give things a quick inspection and it only takes a few minutes to check the brake pads and filters. A good question to ask - How long will it take? Then factor in their hourly rate and what parts might be needed and you can get a good feel on if you are being ripped off. Case in point: My wife made an appointment for her Subaru to have a recall taken care of. Plus she needed an oil change, brakes and their was a rattle that was annoying me (not her). She brought it in and they first told her they couldn't do the recall, because of the weather (I guess I can buy this based on the issue) and then after an hour, they told her she had a cracked head gasket and between that, the brakes and oil change, it would be about $1600. She told them, to not do anything but the oil change. She left and that weekend we went to the Cape where her brother has a shop. He took a look and found no leaks indicating a head gasket leak - car looked fine. He also ripped of the heat shield that was causing the rattling and replaced the brakes (he stated he was shocked they let her leave with them the way they were - they were really bad!). It took him less than an hour to do all this and was about $100 in parts. Oh.. I forgot to add - aside from the oil change, the dealer took the time to install a license plate frame advertising their place. Needless to say, we'll never go back there. And if you want to know, this was Natick Subaru. __________________ __________________________________________________ 2005 Salsa Red Pkg #6. Acquired Sept 1st 2005. 31404 miles as of 9-13-06

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06-20-2006, 09:42 PM	#1
Padawan Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St. Louis Posts: 9 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I took my Prius to a Toyota dealership today to address the recall issue with the steering column. The service man noted that I had 14,000+ miles on my Prius and suggested I agree to have them do the 15,000 mile service. When I asked what this entailed, he listed the following: oil/filter change, brake pad inspection, change engine air filter, change a/c air filter, rotate tires, and replace windshield wipers - all for ~$260. He cautioned me that not doing so may create difficulties with warranty coverage in the future if anything goes wrong with the car. I was a little skeptical as I'd already done the oil change and tire rotation before, and I figured the air filters and brake pads were hardly worn and in no need of inspection or replacement. So I went to Toyota's website and found that Toyota itself only suggests oil/filter change and tire rotation at 15,000 miles. The air filters don't need to be changed until you hit 30,000 miles! So beware of dealerships trying to have you do things that aren't even recommended by the company. Just an FYI from an otherwise very happy Prius owner. BTW, ~15,000 miles so far and not a single complaint (except for a few creaks from the steering column which should be fixed with this recall) :-P

06-20-2006, 10:08 PM	#2
usbseawolf2000 Pro Efficient Technologies Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 1,583 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	You mean tire rotation is at 15k right? oil and filter change is every 5k miles. I enjoy maintaining my Prius too.... It is approaching 8k miles for a 2nd oil change. Dennis

06-20-2006, 11:59 PM	#3
Three60guy Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Racine, Wisconsin Posts: 765 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	Another advantage of pre-paid maintenance programs.... If any service person were to mention what was said to you I would merely show them the coupon.

06-21-2006, 10:07 AM	#4
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,030 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	that's where they make their profit from owners less informed than you. good job turning that down, you don't need it.

06-21-2006, 06:42 PM	#8
tnthub Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 463 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Most oil changes take about 15 minutes in a shop, or 45 minutes on my front lawn... The brakes can be chacked when they rotate the tires because they are visible when the wheels come off. The air filter should take less than 5 minutes to examine. I have no idea about the AC filter. Basically a Jiffy Lube type of place could do all the work with the possible exception of havng the AC filter in stock... NAPA is a good source for parts and often the prices can be half what the dealer charges. Parts in the automotive insustry are like often OEM parts. Car companies buy parts and brand them, change the packaging, and add a huge markup. NAPA, for example, uses Valvoline brand oil for their NAPA brand and I have used it for many years in an assortment of vehicles. However a different store, Pep Boys for example, may use someone elses oil but because I do not know where it comes from I would not trust it in my car. Catsrol, Penzoil, Quaker State, Havoline.... And other brand names all offer good consistent products. The trick is to pick one and just stay with it. When the warranty runs out and if you decide to go elsewhere for basic service, you may want to continue with the brand of oil used by the dealer. One of their mechanics will likely tell you the brand whereas the "service advisor" will simply tell you something.