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Question about 120,000 maintenance on 2006 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by BetsyNC, Oct 11, 2012.

  1. BetsyNC

    BetsyNC Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2006
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    Location:
    Efland, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I'm not sure I'm posting this in the right place but here goes. I am religious about getting my scheduled maintenance done on my 2006 Prius. Until about 2 years ago, I got my scheduled maintenance, tires, etc. at the local Toyota dealership (in my case, Mark Jacobson Toyota in Durham, NC). Then it seemed as though every time I went in for scheduled maintenance, they were "recommending" other things that "needed" to be done. So I started getting the scheduled maintenance done at a local tire shop that services hybrids in addition to other vehicles. Now I'm getting the same run-around with them. I just went in to get my 120,000 scheduled maintenance, and although I knew going in I needed 2 front tires, they quoted me all these other things that "needed" to be done: Clean and adjust rear brakes - $51.59; Fuel Injection Service - $137.14; Replace Cabin Air Filter - $77.75; and get this one: "Toyota Update and reprogram power train control module or transmission control module to the latest factory software to correct the specific drivability issues and or relearn procedure using the Toyota factory tool" - $141.75; Ignition Tune Up - 4 cylinder - includes replace spark plus - $205.45. All of that, along with two tires, the 120,00 mile scheduled maintenance and replacing wiper blades would cost $1,086.48. The last time I was there it was over $700. The time before that it was $450. And so on and so on... You know what I think? I think they see this female coming and it's time to bend over and grab ankles! Does this sound normal to any 2006 Prius owners out there? BTW, my car has always driven like a dream!
     
    #1 BetsyNC, Oct 11, 2012
  2. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2012
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    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    This sounds about right.

    Here is what I would recommend:
    Fuel injection cleaning: Bottle of Techron concentrate ($10), directions on the bottle.
    Cabin filter: This you can do yourself. $20 is a reasonable price for a regular cabin filter, a little more for the charcoal type.

    I wouldn't worry about the re-programming.
    I personally see no need in cleaning brakes and yours are self adjusting. Messing with the adjustment will be asking for trouble.
    The term tune-up is very outdated and should have been left in the 90's. As far as Prii go, the closest you can get is spark plug and PCV valve replacement and throttle body and MAF sensor cleaning. I doubt you would get the same spark spark plugs as your car has had for the last 120K miles for the price you have above. In my opinion putting in the exact same spark plugs is a must.

    I'd love to know what they were going to do in their tune-up and what type of spark plugs they would use.

    Avi
     
    #2 Avi's Advanced Automotive, Oct 11, 2012
  3. BetsyNC

    BetsyNC Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2006
    29
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    Location:
    Efland, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    In just your short post you have given me much peace of mind. I refused the tune-up, the re-programming, and the brake cleaning. Actually I refused everything except the 120k scheduled maintenance, wiper blades (which I badly needed), and the tires (also badly needed). I have since Googled for an area auto shop that can work on hybrids, and found one that had about 30 5-star reviews on Yelp, and Angie's List. They are a bit farther away for me, but I will be going there for future scheduled maintenances.

    Thanks, Avi!
    Betsy
     
    #3 BetsyNC, Oct 11, 2012
  4. 2006_HK

    2006_HK First Hybrid

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
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    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi Betsy,

    You should look at Galaxee's thread about what services you need for the given interval. There is probably merit in doing some extra things (like Transaxle oil change) but otherwise you can pretty much stick to the maintenance schedule.

    Here is the link: What services you need and what you don't | PriusChat
     
    #4 2006_HK, Oct 11, 2012
  5. BetsyNC

    BetsyNC Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2006
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    Location:
    Efland, NC
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I looked at Galaxee's thread and printed/saved it for my Pruis Maintenance Book. Thanks!
     
    #5 BetsyNC, Oct 12, 2012
  6. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2012
    775
    360
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    When I replied yesterday I only mentioned what she didn't need. You made a good point with your reply which I agree with.
     
    #6 Avi's Advanced Automotive, Oct 12, 2012
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