What services you need and what you don't

Re: What services you need and what you don't

That's because they are both something you buy at Pep Boys. It's also a signal you need a new dealer. There is no such thing as fuel conditioner or oil conditioner in the Toyota service directives.

Maybe he wants to sell you some STP and Marvel Mystery oil.

The only major service that you might want from the dealer at 150K is the engine coolant drain/fill, because it is a PITA. Other stuff you can do yourself: inverter coolant, oil change, transaxle fluid change, engine and passenger compartment air filters, throttle body/MAF cleaning, spark plugs, PCV, "serpentine" belt. All of that is coming up on a $1000 bill at a dealer.

seilerts,
thanks. I plan to do most of it myself..
qq: is the transaxle fluid change same as transmission fluid change?
thx.

I also have another q: (I assume this is one of those padded service item from dealer):
- Set CARB/EFI idle mixture
is there such a service? or just some 'check' by the mechanic? I don't see that in recommended service list in the manual.
thx.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The transaxle is what it is, not a `normal' transmission. It is a constant mesh variable speed device. The `axle' means it includes the final drive as part of the unit. Have a reputable Toyota dealer do that job; it's a bitch. See;

Spring maintenance

Set CARB/EFI idle mixture is valid for carbureted engines. The computer sets the idle mixture continuously on a Prius.

So, no, the mechanics do not set the idle mixture on this unique fuel injected engine; no idle mixture screw on the injectors.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

There are two different fluids for the transmission (axle) 1 The lubricant inside the transmission "Toyota ATF WS" very easy to change (as easy as engine oil) You will need 4QUTs uses slightly less. 2 Inverter coolant, "Toyota SLLC coolant"cools inverter and transmission. More difficult to change because it it problematic to get all the air out of the system, only needs changing at 120,000miles, and then every 60,000miles. Do search on inverter coolant change.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Hobbit's story in that link should be titled "How NOT to Change the Fluid in a Prius Transaxle." It is just like a manual transmission: Open the 24mm fill plug first, then open the hex-driven plug (sorry don't remember if it is 10 or 12 mm, but use a breaker bar), have a big catch pan ready because the stuff will come shooting out, inspect the magnet on the plug and clean it, install a new crush washer, install and torque plug to 30 ft-lbs, use a fluid transfer pump from below, or a funnel and hose from above to add ~3.5 quarts of ATF WS or Redline D6, and finally install the fill plug with 30 ft-lbs of torque. It is straight-forward, total cost is about $40 including buying the hex driver.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

"How NOT to", unless you want to make the job really hard for yourself; or have plenty of time on your hands and want to practice removing the inverter just to say you can.

A 10 mm hex key socket is needed.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I notice that you are in Hayward. Two of the best Prius shops are in easy driving distance for you. There's Art's Automotive in Berkeley and Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists in SF. They have their own recommended service lists on their websites. A few more things than the Toyota documented requirements, but certainly nothing that isn't even on the car like your dealer service rep dreamed up.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Except that there is a caveat under Clarification in the pink panel one click down in which he directs the reader to another page that covers the Gen I change and a simpler job.

It ain't all easy and it ain't all hard. It is all messy.

spark plug recommendation: i want to replace them myself. whats recommended? Can I buy one of those OEM from RockAuto? or from dealers?
thx,

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I didn't see anyone else post this so I thought I would. You can look up most of your service history at Toyota Owners Club. Google for it, have your VIN handy and sign up. I bought my 07 used and found every little bit of service detail listed by the previous dealer and small stuff like headlight bulb replacement added by the owner.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I assume you mean the Toyota website? When I googled "toyota owners club", I found that there's a site called that, as well. I had completely forgotten about the toyota.com site!

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Has anyone had a Toyota service tech say that the inverter coolant has to be changed at the same time as the transmission fluid? From everything I could find, there is no indication this is necessary. My 2008 Prius is going in for the 60,000 mile service and I asked about having the transmission fluid changed. The tech said they would also have to change the inverter coolant because of the hybrid design. Of course they also want to charge $239 to do both.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

That information from your tech is not right. You can change the transaxle fluid anytime you want. No dependence on changing anything else. It might still be a reasonable idea to change the inverter coolant, but from what I have read here, if it looks clear and has a normal color, then it is probably fine for a while longer.

The transaxle fluid change is just a drain and fill, quite simple, so any garage can do it if you are not a DIY.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Thank you for the verification. The service rep still insisted that the dealership would have to provide both services and I insisted I did not want both. It became a stand off because, as you know, a woman is never right about car services. So, I told them to provide the oil change and tire rotation and I would go elsewhere for the transaxil change. Then I had the opportunity to speak with the service tech who actually worked on my car. The only thing that needed attention was the transaxil fluid, at least by the next regular service date. He apologized for the conflict and lack of customer service I received at check in and offered to provide any service I requested. So, I will be getting only a transaxil fluid change the next time around and the service rep will most likely be working somewhere else or unemployed.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

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Galaxee, I'd like to add my thanks for your list posting. I have added a printout of your list to my Prius maintenance folder.
I wanted to add an idea that might merit a place in your list. My local dealer is really big on trying to sell me a cleaning of my Prius' throttle body linkage. The first time they offered that to me, several years ago, I asked a trusted maintenance tech we have known for years. He assured me that this service is a total waste of time and serves only to line the dealer's pockets.
#'s 5 and 6 on your list sound similar, but I can't tell for sure. Maybe I'll take them up on this service when the vehicle hits 100K.

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The throttle body linkage cleaning is not what is needed. What is needed is throttle plate and throttle body interior cleaning. Black gunk (which comes from HC rising up from the PCV vent hoses and intake manifold) builds up on the throttle plate and throttle body interior and that needs to be periodically removed.

Can throttle plate and throttle body interior cleaning be done with an additive like seafoam? Or is it an easy task for an owner to do? Thanks!

Re: What services you need and what you don't

This is a relatively easy task for an owner to do assuming access to appropriate tools.

1. Remove the air cleaner housing for access to the throttle body.
2. Spray throttle body cleaner on a clean cloth or paper towel, and use that to wipe off the throttle plate (check the underside) and the throttle body interior. You can rotate the spring-loaded throttle shaft to access the underside of the throttle plate. As a modification to #2 above, I use Q-tips with isopropyl alcohol.
3. Do not flood the throttle body with cleaner, which is a common practice. The problem with that is dirt-laden fluid may flow down the throttle shaft and enter the throttle body motor.