New owner, what should I service next?

I have a 2006 that just hit 106,000. I recently changed out the spark plugs. The old ones were getting a bit dirty but otherwise seemed ok. The gaps were appropriate. I changed out the water pump for the engine as it began to weep but not really leak. Some folks have suggested that you can leave it when it weeps as long as the leakage is minimal. The part is cheap, but takes a bit of time to do. In the process I changed out the radiator antifreeze fluid and the belt that turns the water pump. Some folks will change out the PVC Valve though mine was still working correctly. My air conditioning compressor went south about this time. That was expensive. No service required unless the system is leaking. Other than that there are not a lot of things to do on this car. I also changed out the transaxle fluid though I think Toyota suggests that you leave it be. The dealer is happy to do it. The brakes are still good on the car at this point but will need to be replaced in the near future. Hope that helps.
Manny

 

welcome to prius chat, congrats, looks like you snagged a gem! the 12 volt is weak, i would replace it. doesn't look like you need anything else, good idea on the tranny fluid. all the best

 

use caution with the optima, they have been having a bad run lately. many are coming with a poor charge after sitting in a warehouse for quite sometime. the oem is a good one, and there are several other alternatives.

 

I would recommend the GS Yuasa battery that your local Toyota dealer sells, or the Exide AGM battery that will fit Prius.

 

Since your car doesn't have the Smart system, the battery is going to be shorter in the length dimension. This means that any battery (other than the original equipment size) will not fit in the battery tray. So if you want to get the Optima via Amazon or whatever retailer you choose, you will also need to get the longer battery tray from your Toyota dealer.

You may want to consider that if you buy the Optima from Amazon, you will be faced with having to ship the battery back to them if you have a problem. You cannot count on a local retailer giving you warranty service. So if it would be inconvenient for you to do without your car for several days, how much value will you get from the warranty?

Another PC member recently posted that he bought a new battery locally rather than wait for Amazon to process a warranty repair on Optima.

 

Up here there's a core charge (typically $12) when you buy a 12 volt automotive battery, refunded if/when you give the seller your old battery. Is it like that in the 'States?

I'd concur, if problems arise, having the transaction local is a lot simpler.

 

Welcome to Priuschat!

Re the battery, I'd go for the OE Toyota Battery or the Excide and fit yourself if you are good with your hands. It's less than an hour and don't rush it. I bought an Excide for mine and replaced is not long after buying the car (2008 model Gen2)

I've also done the plugs and the gearbox oil, both before 70k miles. It be a waste, but I prefer preventative maintenance

Good luck and safe motoring

 

Yes, you are correct regarding the battery tray.

 

when you get the battery, test the voltage before installing. if it's below 12.9, get a smart charger and charge it overbite before installing. all the best!

 

The battery actually fits with the old tray, I installed one a while ago and didn't have any problems.

Make sure you want the battery from Amazon, this item CANNOT be returned, unless defective. Your only choice to cancel is to refuse delivery or it's yours.......

 

Keep the "smart key" bottom battery tray from Auto Nation, it'll be too expensive to return (restock fee & shipping fee). When the Optima needs to be replaced, you'll be able to upgrade to the larger capacity smart-key battery from the dealer.

Hopefully you'll be a blessed Optima battery owner.

Good idea to get a Smart Battery charger, that is AGM compatible; Amazon LINK
Just be sure the charger doesn't put out more than your Optima is designed to accept. (IE, Toyota Smart Key batteries are rated for maximum 4.2Amp)
Schumacher SC-1200CA, $38) 3-6-12Amp charger
Schumacher SC-1500CA, $54) 3-8-15Amp charger
BatteryMinder 2012-AGM, $78) 2Amp dedicated AGM battery charger
Noco Genius G3500, $59) 3.5Amp charger
Ctek Multi-US-3300, $56) 3.3Amp charger, older model
Ctek MXS 3.8, $unknown) 3.8Amp charger, NEW model

 

How difficult is it to adapt the Optima 51 vs the Optima for the Prius?
Do I just need to buy a pair of marine battery adapters?

524186 - is the Group 51 Optima
Prius: 513308

Basically, it it worthwhile to convert SAE posts to JSI?

The reason for my question is that a local store sells the prius optima for $35 more than the regular Group 51 Optima.

Thanks.

 

Read post #18 & #19; LINK

Pricing would be helpful to know, to get you a better value. Are we talking $225 vs $190?
Amazon has a YellowTop Prius battery for $147 (free shipping). LINK
elearnaid, in Sylmar, CA, has a Prius YellowTop for $173 (free shipping). Free install if you want to drive to Sylmar. LINK

Does your Prius have the smart-key system? If so, then you really want to get the battery from the dealer or the Bosch battery.
Smart-Key battery (45Amp-hr/325CCA), Non-Smart-Key battery (35Amp-hr/), Optima Yellow Top(38Amp-hr).
Prius specific Bosch battery at Pepboys is $190; there's a 10% off code/coupon. LINK

I upgraded my non-smart-key battery to a smart-key battery; dealer battery cost was $163.31 before tax. LINK
After the upgrade, I could have saved a few dollars ($12.13), by cutting the non-smart-key batter try, to accommodate the larger smart-key battery, as some people have done.