what went wrong here? should I complain? 10,000 mile service

[starla30]

I just got my 10,000 mile service done and I was stunned at the charge of $140.00 He told me beforehand that it was going to be $100 (before I asked for synthetic oil) and when I was surprised at the increase in price, he just agreed that it was more and didn't explain why. I know that in the manual thing it says it should be exactly the same service.

I wish I had pursued this but I always feel intimidated when I go into these places because I really care about my car and I know they don't care about my car and they barely pay attention when I try to explain what I want done. For instance the 5000 mile change at which I specified it was important the oil not be overfilled and they overfilled it anyway.

Anyway, for $140 I got (according to the receipt)

Labor... $55 ($79/hour!)
oil & filter change, lubrication of chasis & all hinges, check operation of all lights, inspect suspension & steering, check & adjust tire pressure, rotate tires, inspect all hoses, belts, & filters. Inspect & top off all fluid levels,. Inspect tires for proper alignment. Inspect heat shields. Inspect brakes.

Filter S/A Oil 6.50
gasket 1.15
oil additive (WTF!?) 9.95
Fuel Sys Cleaner (Double WTF!?) 21.95
Solvent 1.32
Mobil 1 34.00

[popsrcr]

First, syn is more expensive than dino oil. On your WTF items, my opinion is that they are uneeded. I don't believe in oil additives, never been any proof that I've seen that they're needed. The fuel system cleaner, that's awful high. Doesn't do any harm, but at 10k likely not needed either.
Solvent?
Other stuff hard to say. I mean, maintenence is one of those things. There are lots of things you really should do, that doesn't get done on those schedules, and likewise stuff done that isn't really needed.

I need to go read about this overfilling thing everyone here talks about. I know what it *can do, but just don't see it as that big of a deal. (unless its a fair amount)

So, to summarize, sure you got some stuff you didn't need, but, didn't hurt either. Unless you specify exactly what you want done, stuff like this happens.

[efusco]

First off Starla, you've gotta have some spine. The 10K service is nothing more than an oil/filter change and tire rotation...you shoulda been outta there for $50-60 tops. Bring your own oil and it'll be even cheaper. You should have known that before you walked in the door and walked out the second they tried to rip you for the rest.

Second, yea, you got raped and you need to complain. Ask the manager to show you in the Toyota Passport where it says those items are needed, where you'd asked for them yourself, or where in their policy they do it as standard policy. Demand a refund for all but the necessary and requested products and services.

That won't be easy and it's unlikely you'll get the money back, IMO, but you can make a point and find a new service dept., or if you can't they'll know you know your business and won't get ripped again.

You must be prepared before you go in for this stuff for the same reasons you mentioned...you care about your car and they don't...thus you need to know more than they do.

[richard schumacher]

The WTF items, to which I'd add "solvent", were pure ripoffs. Ditto the "chassis lubrication"; there's nothing to lube on the Prius chassis. Check the oil yourself to see whether they overfilled it. (Anything above "FULL" is overfilled.) If they did, make them drain it down.

Then insist that they refund the difference between the promised and actual price.

[starla30]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was fully aware that synth oil would cost more. That wasn't an issue. Just those other things. About the needing a backbone thing, I completely agree. But you also need to understand that a female going into one of these places is going to be treated differently than a guy. The first service I went in for, I specifically stated a few times about the oil overfill thing in advance and even gave them a little sticky note to put on the paperwork so they wouldn't forget. The woman was annoyed that I was trying to tell her what to do with her job and the result was that they overfilled the oil and I had to go back again for the drain. If I were a guy maybe she might've been more inclined to listen to me. I didn't neccessarily look like I knew what I was talking about. So I know I should've been more assertive but it's difficult when the guy you're talking to won't make eye contact and dismisses what you're asking him to do as you say it.

I went in expecting the 3 things listed in the manual. I was in a hurry/confused/intimidated by the guy so I didn't put up a stink when he intially quoted $100. I should have.

[jayman]

Before I picked up the car, I was given the "grand tour" of the service department, where I was given a VERY extensive service menu that went out to 160,000km. Everything was itemized, even shop supplies, and carefully separated into two headings: Warranty Required, and, Recommended.

The Recommended row had to do with the fact that Winnipeg, Manitoba can have winter temps like Siberia, but summer temps like Minneapolis.

They recommend, among other things, 3mo/5,000km OCI, unless you're running synthetic oil. More frequent (Half the factory time/distance) flush/refill of the ICE coolant and inverter coolant. Makes sense, given the extremes in temp.

I guess you have to do a lot of leg work trying to find a dealer as upfront as the one I have. Given the problems I've had with my Prius, it contrasts a bad but fixable situation from an outright nightmare. For that, kudos to my local dealer.

[V8Cobrakid]

So the 10k is just an oil change and tire rotation. I can rotate the tires myself right? I plan on changing the oil myself.. again. I really don't trust other people with my car.

The wheels don't need to be re balanced.. they are balanced as is..er.. should be.. so i should have no problem with rotating them myself. I believe the rotation pattern is in the manual.

[jayman]

I would say if you're comfortable changing the oil, do it yourself. Don't forget about the drain plug gasket. For the savings, you can run synthetic for about what a dealer would charge for regular oil.

If you can find a very shallow drain pan, you may not even need car ramps. The oil filter is easy enough to get off from underneath or by reaching down with the hood up.

A good hydraulic trolley car jack makes life a lot easier. Yes, the manual does have the rotation sequence. Invest in a torque wrench and don't overtighten the bolts: 76 ft lbs is max.

Maybe balance the tires once a year? Personally, if I can't feel vibration, I don't bother.

[V8Cobrakid]

I changed the oil last time. I swiched for sythentic ( 21 dollars ) and a copper washer for the drain plug. I also purchased a K&N oil filter. I guess i could do it again. I seems like i just changed my oil yesterday. Changing the tires though.. guess i'll ... i'll... hmm.. use the spare and do one tire at a time.. that way the car has something to stand on

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Costco will rotate and balance the tires plus fill them with nitrogen, instead of plain air, for the grand sum of $16. Of course, if you bought the tires from them, it is free.