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  1. Hitokiri03

    Hitokiri03 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Today I am taking my Prius into the dealer for the 60,000 mile service and they sent me their specs for their idea of a 60K service and it is ridiculous!

    Oil Change: $34.95
    Balance four wheels & rotate: $44.95
    Air Filter: $32.95
    Cabin Filter: $59.95
    Battery Service: $45.95
    Fuel Injection Service: $139.95
    Automatic Transmission Flush: $189.95 or if you have a manual transmission that service runs $129.95
    Cooling System Flush: $139.95
    Service Transfer case: $129.95
    Service Front Differential: $129.95
    Service Rear Differential: $129.95

    All I need are the first 4, right? It sounds like the service manager sent me some generic list, not one for my vehicle, as it lists none of the inspections that the manual says to perform.
     
  2. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Taking your car to the dealer for 60k maintenance is ridiculous.
    And yes, your list has little to do with a Prius.

    Change the oil, oil filter, ATF and air cabin and engine filters yourself.
    Rotate the tyres yourself every 10k miles.
    Finito

    Total cost: about $75
    If you like the idea of not throwing away your money, buy the filters in bulk online. It saves about 30% in cost.
     
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I wouldn't get the air filter, you can do that yourself w/ no tools for the price of the filter. The same goes for the cabin filter (no tools required, just the cost of the filter). In my opinion, Fuel Injection service for $140 is flat out thievery. What will they do? put an additive in your tank? You can do that just as good as anyone else. There is no transfer case, no front differential or rear differential.

    And... what the heck is a "Battery Service"? I think I would find a different dealer.

    Changing the tranny fluid is probably a good idea but not required by Toyota.
     
  4. Hitokiri03

    Hitokiri03 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Where is the best place to buy the filters and the ATF? Is the ATF hard to change? Anyone happen to know the specifics for the oil and oil filter, as well?
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Anything I do wrt car maintenance, a monkey can do better. I'm that talented ;)

    Everything mentioned is really, really, easy.
    You do have to raise your car and have basic tools. Wise and long lasting investment. Harbor Freight is a good place to buy adequate tools cheaply, if you have one local.

    For step-by-step instructions, check out the stickied threads in the maintenance sub-forum; john1701a.com for a beautifully photographed oil exchange, and any DIY that Pat Wong has authored.
    I usually buy my supplies from online retailer rockauto.com; P Wong recommends Champion Toyota of Houston.
    Buy the ATF from a toyota dealership, engine oil from Walmart if it is not on sale at one of the auto stores.
     
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  6. John H

    John H Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    I buy filters on amazon. They have the toyota oem coolant as well.
     
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    It isn't the easiest thing to do and will require the most tools. You will need a ratchet and metric socket set, jackstands (4), a funnel w/ a long tube attached to it, metric large size allen wrenches, 4 quarts of tranny fluid, an oil drain container. That's all I can think of for now but, I wouldn't recommend it for a novice. Its really not that hard but it does require tools that it doesn't sound like you have.

    Sage's advice about purchasing tools as a wise investment is spot on but, if you don't have a facility (ie garage) to do the maintenance, you will be frustrated. I have found that I can almost always buy the tools and the parts for cheaper than paying someone to do it (whatever it is).

    The air filter and cabin filter requires no tools though and they can be purchased at any auto parts store, Wal Mart or any one of several online retailers.
     
  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
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    Don't go back to that dealership! Not even to tell them that they're morons and/or thieves.
    Period!
    If you still have a written list of their "recommended service items" and you want to kill a little time, you can mail it or fax it to the dealership's owner and/or whatever customer care arm that Toyota has here in North America.
    Frankly?
    It really won't do any good.
    Anybody with a three digit IQ already knows about it, and they're obviously not doing much if anything about it.

    This is one of the reasons that I'm a daily Toyota driver, but a devout former Toyota customer (my G3 is a company car.) Yeah. I know....
    They all do it.
    Right.

    Anyway...rant out.
    Here's the deal.
    You have an '09 (G2) with 60K miles.

    That means that you're knocking down about somewhere around 15K miles/year.
    Fairly average use...probably not what we call "severe service"---or frequent stop and go's...gravel or dirt roads....teenage drivers, road racing.....etc.
    In other words......for your 60K service?
    You probably don't need much, and your car is already out of warranty.

    IF you track your fuel efficiency and your car is operating properly all you really need to do is review your filters and fluids...and check out a few things. All of the advice that was previously given is pretty much spot on.
    You're already looking at your manual, which is great!
    Even if you don't own a set of ramps or a basic set of tools, you can order and change the air and cabin filters yourself. Order through Amazon, and self-replace.
    Easy!
    ...and you just saved enough to buy a set of Rhino ramps.
    If you're comfortable enough (or have the tools and space) to do your own oil change...you can also probably change the CVT fluid, although I personally wouldn't perform this service for another 20-40K miles.
    That's me....and opinions vary wildly about the necessity of performing this service @ 60K
    Same with the throttle body "cleaning."
    IF your car is idling properly and if your fuel efficiency is up to par, you know what????
    Your throttle body is clean enough.
    "The Dealer" and most Indys usually take one of four basic approaches to TB cleaning (listed in order of efectiveness and/or expense:)
    1. Bill the customer for TB cleaning and do nothing, The "Phantom Procedure."
    2. Add a can of miracle juice to your tank. "Magic Bullet Method."
    3. Spray something resembling TB cleaner into your intake while the engine is running. Sometimes they'll use (or say that they use) a long hooked wand to reach those icky places that you can't see. "Spray and Pray."
    4. Remove the TB for a full-on clean and inspect. (IMHO) "The CORRECT method."

    As daunting as the "correct" method may seem? It's really not.
    Usually???
    It's four bolts, two connectors, 1 rag, 1 can of TB cleaner, and an hour or two of your time.

    Remember. It's usually a balancing act of Time, Money, and Information.
    Sometimes?
    Let the pros do it.
    Other times?
    Use Time and Info to save money.

    Remember...MY methods and procedures WORK PERFECTLY.......
    ...for me. ;)
    YOUR mileage may very (YMMV).

    Good luck!