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recommendation on break fluid exchange

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by yitsang, Mar 5, 2011.

  1. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    Hello all,

    I dont know too much about car. But the dealer recommended me to have break fluid exchange and the fuel and air induction system service.

    Can I do it somewhere else? I live in South California.

    Can someone give me some directions?

    Appreciate in advance.
     
  2. direstraits71

    direstraits71 Member

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    What year car/model and what mileage? As a general rule unless you have a wallet with lots of extra dollars spilling out, or your car has some obvious problem, stick to the services described in your owners manual recommended by Toyota the manufacturer. Here's one of several threads found by searching "what services do I need" :http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...70-what-services-you-need-what-you-don-t.html
     
  3. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Hi yits, I await your answers to dires' questions because they are good Qs.

    For brake fluid, for sure you want to change it before the water content gets to 2%. If your shop measured it and told you the results, I'd feel kinda better.

    Those other things are rarely needed unless the Prius has been fueled with 'bad gas'. Maybe that you would not know that, but if the car is running just fine it could equally suggest that the shop in question has some boat payments to make. See Click and Clack for further info on boat ownership.

    If you read PC archives, you will find waaaay too many examples of Toyota shops seeming to overservice/overcharge on Prius stuff. I wish it were not so.

    So, let's talk about where you got this advice. Out them, you see. There are hundreds (roughly) of Toyota shops in SoCal and I guess we can direct you to one that, um, already own their boats.
     
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Generally speaking, the fuel system will never need service. Modern fuels do an excellent job at keeping injectors clean. Only if you start having a misfire and/or check engine light would something need to be done.

    If your brake fluid looks clear and light, basically like vegetable oil, then it is fine.

    The air intake is the only part that can get dirty, specifically the MAF sensor and the throttle plate. That's a once every 60,000 mile type of job.

    As tochatihu says, there are many Toyota dealers and Toyota specialty shops in SoCal. I would suggest avoiding dealers completely and finding a Toyota or hybrid shop (such as Avi'sAdvanced or LTS Mastertech, both in Pasadena)
     
  5. don_chuwish

    don_chuwish Well Seasoned Member

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    My favorite break fluid is coffee.

    - D
     
    1 person likes this.
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Art's Automotive

    This might be a bit of a drive for you, but they have a great reputation.

    Brake fluid change perhaps. I'd also recommend changing the cvt fluid. Maybe clean the MAF if you're bored
     
  7. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    Thank for response.
    My car is 2007 Prius with 52,000 miles. I will read the manual from manufacturer and see what I need.
     
  8. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    Ha...thanks. I wish I also had a boat. I have fed all kinds of gas to my Prius. I even did the cheapest one 'Arco'.

    If this is the case, I think it may get my system dirty. right ?
     
  9. 2 fas 4 u

    2 fas 4 u Active Member

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    IF I can help I have 325,000 miles on my 2009 prius, I have never changed the brake fluid neither has any been lost, I have never had the fuel system cleaned or changed, cause it is in the gas tank. The only air service u can do is to change the cabin filter whenever is dirty or the engine filter that is it. Unless u have more miles than I do, save ur money.
    Here is my recommendation: spark plug 100,000 pvc with spark plug transmission fluid 100,000 oil synthetic 10,000 radiator fluid I just had mine changed at 325,000 invertor fluid have NOT changed yet will probably do next weekend, anything else I believe u are wasting ur time, and money.
     
  10. derkraut

    derkraut Member

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    325,000mi on a 2009? YOWZAH! Anyway, I agree with you 100% about the service intervals.
     
  11. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    Coffee is also my fav break fluid
    It is too bad I am addicted to it.
     
  12. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    Thanks for your advice.
    What is MAF and cvt short for ?
     
  13. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

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    I know...that's over half a gigameter I think. I'm amazed he has any time to come in here and post, what with all the driving and biweekly oil changes etc.:thumb:
     
  14. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    My car is same year and close to mileage as yours. They try that crap on me everytime I go in.

    They even have a big board they give to you with good-better-best choices including the brake scam and fuel injection cleaning scam. On and on.

    But you are due for a trans fluid change.

    Learn how to change the engine air filter and the interior cabin filter and use synthetic motor oil which is good for around 10,000 miles.

    Easiest car to maintain on the planet.
     
  15. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    • MAF - Mass Airflow Sensor, if it gets dirty you ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) will run rough. My 2004 Prius is at 192k miles and has never needed this done, but I have had to replace MAF sensors in two other cars in the past when cleaning didn't help.
    • CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission, we actually have an eCVT in our Prii and the Toyota Type WS ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid - 1 gallon) should be changed periodically. You can get by changing it (~$100 at a dealer) every 60k miles, but I suggest that the first refresh be a little sooner (at 30k miles).
    JeffD
     
  16. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    I just ordered a cabin filter and air filter.

    Just a question, is this engine air filter ?[​IMG]

    I ordered this already just want to make sure it is engine air filter.

    thanks
     
  17. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes, that photo is of the 2G Prius engine air filter. Notice the tab on the rubber gasket, which fits into an indentation in the air cleaner housing on the side facing the engine compartment firewall.
     
  18. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Yes. Our cars are very easy on the air filter. Mine does not get dirty at all as I'm all city driving. But the cabin filter is really bad. See my post I just made in Maint.
     
  19. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    You're on the right path. To be specific Toyota's recommended services are shown in the Toyota (not a dealer's!) Scheduled Maintenance Guide that should have come with the car along with the Owner's Manual. If you don't have the SMG see here:
    Toyota Parts and Service
     
  20. yitsang

    yitsang New Member

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    Thank you all. Everyone is so nice here.

    Nice car == nice people ?? ^_^