My dealer charged me $160 for a "Complete Fuel System Service: decarbon service; clean the throttle body of all dirt and carbon deposits on throttle blad and air passages, then introduce a powerful cleaner into the intake & combustion chamber to removecarbod build up; install a fuel system flush into the fuel system to complete the cleaning process. Designed to improve overall drivability and fule economy. Also clean the injector tips to improve the spray patern and atomization of the fuel as it is sprayed into the combustion chamber." That's not on the maintenance schedule but the dealer rep says it's recommended for my area (Hot Springs, Arkansas). The dealer did not replace the cabin air filter nor the engine air filter - the rep said they were "clean" and didn't need to be replaced, even though replacement is listed in the maintenance schedule and he has checked those items off in my maintenance book. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
That's a great deal of work for only $160... Usually just the "powerful cleaner into the intake & combustion chamber" (aka: induction cleaning) would cost that much on its own. If I could get that much work done for that price I'd for sure do it, but not at 30k miles, definitely as part of the 100k mile maintenance though. Looking forward to what other say about this one...
They probably threw in a bottle of STP Fuel System cleaner and called it a day. Maybe they sprayed some stuff on the throttle blades. Maybe they even hooked up a machine to do all these things. It most not have been much work for an hour or so labor and parts/supplies. They didn't change your filters to pad their account. Every air filter I've ever seen at 30k miles was full of dirt, and the cabin air filter I did on our 2009 Prius was mounded up with maple seed helicopters, leaves, pieces of bugs, and dirt. I've been through AR before, and I don't remember it as being without all those things. Did they change the oil and filter and rotate the tires?
You're in the Prius v forum and your profile indicates that that's not the type of car you drive. So, my comments may not apply to your case. However, it sounds like your dealer sold you a bill of goods. Regarding the cabin air filter, it's possible that it didn't need replacing. Most of the time you can tell if an air filter needs replacing by s simple visual inspection. On my Prius v, the cabin air filter needs to have the dust blown out if it with an air hose periodically and it needs to be replaced every so many miles (I don't remember the exact schedule). If your dealer sold you an unncessary "complete fuel system service" that you didn't need, I'm surpised they didn't charge you for a new air filter too.
IMO, if you weren't experiencing low FE that work was not needed. Since you bought the service it's strange they didn't try selling wiper blades & air filters. (For the record my dealer has not tried selling those things to me.) Presuming 10000 mile changes you should have gotten just an oil change.
many here won't know this, but hot springs, ak is one of the most difficult places in the states to keep the fuel system clean. however, it has some of the cleanest air in the country thus the filters are good for another 15-30,000 miles. i think the dealer did right by you and your 'other non hybrid'.
If you buy the cheapest gas you "might" need a fuel system clean in 50k to 75k miles. That's because the wholesaler at the Tank Farm Terminal where the trucks pick up your favorite station's gas often don't maintain their gasoline addition injection pumps adequately, often letting them run out or under inject. Or the quality of the additive is poor. Most "terminals" have one huge storage tank for 87 octane and each Oil Company provides their own additive injection product and pumps. The major companies like Exxon, Chevron and Shell are pretty good at ensuring their stations get gas with the detergent additives that keep your fuel system clean. Places like Sam's Club and some no name stations with low prices don't have the same oversight and probably buy from the lowest bidder. End result low or no detergent additives in their gas. Some will actually buy some low octane gas costing you gas mileage also. Shell is pretty good about maintaining octane and additive quality.
Yes, they did change the oil and rotate the tires, but on a previous visit a couple days before this service.
