Getting car serviced - need your advice

Oil and oil filter change is really all that Toyota requires at 15,000 mi. My dealer tried to pull that crap on me too. Just so happens that I was sitting in their waiting lounge with my MacBook tuned in on their free wifi and brought up the Toyota site and showed the service advisor what it said. Needless to say that stopped that bs instantly. Got my oil change, paid my money and went on my way.

 

Don't know where you live in the Bay Area, but I liked Toyota Sunnyvale's service department. I bought my car from them and it was also good that they were close to my work at the time.

IIRC, I heard bad things about Toyota Palo Alto's service dept but have no experience w/them.

 

DITTO! Just say you want the oil changed and you will do the rest. Always works for me. Anyone can check all that stuff which they never do BTW. That is how a dealer makes money to stay in business by pencil whipping inspection items. If they actually did everything on the list and did it correctly with quality it would be a great deal BTW.

 

My '08 has about 25K miles and has never seen a dealer for maintenance. As mentioned earlier, there is not much to check aside from suspension and brake (visual checks) are recommended...just an oil and oil filter change is needed.

Drive Safely.

 

I have been to my local dealer 4 times: 5k, 10k, 15k, and 20k miles. The most they have charged is $43, the least was $14. (free oil change, instead of $29)

The 2010 uses pricier, synthetic oil, but the 2009 is just normal motor oil. Read the service manual and ask for those services Toyota requires.

 

You are one lucky guy to have such an honest dealer

 

They do seem honest, and I 'help' by specifying exactly what I want done. Most threads with horror stories, the owner left it up to the dealer to decide what services to charge for.

 

yep, we all need to go that dealer on a field trip:lol:

List of what most cars need/please add or edit list:

1. Oil and filter change every 3-6K
2. trans drain and fill every 25-40K
3. Wipers every 25K or 3 years
3. Tires every 4 years or 40-60K
4. Flush brakes as you wallet permits on a Prius
5. drain and fill radiator every 3 years or 50K
6. Alignment once after break in or after a wreak and as needed there after
7. Brake pads every 50K except a Prius (110K)?
8. Plugs 60K except a Prius ( anyone ever change plugs?)
9. Air filter (20K)
10. cabin filter/when it stinks or just trade cars :lol:

 

Every dealer will try to sell you their overpriced "X miles service package". Don't do it. See the correct time/mileage page in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide that came with the car for what's needed. Tell the service writer to do those things and nothing else. If you don't have the Guide see here:
Toyota Parts and Service

Save more by changing the engine air filter yourself per the schedule. Save even more by inspecting the cabin air filter and vacuuming it or changing it yourself. They are both very easy to do.

 

When I was looking to buy a Prius last year, $195 was the lowest quote I got from several local dealers for the 15K service.

Here are the items listed in the scheduled maintenance manual:

15,000 Miles or 18 months
Replace engine oil and filter
1
Rotate tires
Visually inspect brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
Inspect the following:
__ Ball joints and dust covers
__ Brake lines and hoses
__ Drive shaft boots
__ Engine/Inverter coolant
3
__ Exhaust pipes and mountings
__ Radiator, condenser and/or intercooler
__ Steering gear box
__ Steering linkage and boots

 

Per Toyota...



Replace engine oil and oil filter 1


I bring my own Synthetic Oil and Filter and Gasket.....

Rotate tires.... I do that myself
Visually inspect brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs Inspect the following:


　Ball joints and dust covers
　　Brake lines and hoses
　　Drive shaft boots
　　Engine/inverter coolant 3
　　Exhaust pipes and mountings
　　Radiator, condenser and/or intercooler
　　Steering gear box
　　
Steering linkage and boots

You can do all the above yourself...
　
Note: Driving in heavy traffic, on dirt roads or in urban, dusty or desert areas may shorten the life of the cabin air filter. Replacement may be needed if you notice reduced airflow from the air conditioner and heater or if the windows fog easily when you use the "Fresh" mode. Consult your dealer if any of these conditions occur.


You can do this yourself, it takes 10 minutes

So my 15K cost less than $39.95...