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Cost of Maintenance of Prius 2012

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by David Duchesne, Feb 3, 2013.

  1. David Duchesne

    David Duchesne Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I bought my Prius in Sept. 2102. I know have 24,000 km on it with 90% highway kilometres.

    I recently read the local Toyota dealer service schedule. Every 8,000 km Oil and filter service for $52.00 and tax. They use 0w20 toyota synthetic oil which they sell over the counter for 5.50/liter (compared to 11.25/liter for mobil 1 esso synthetic. I wonder if Mobil 1 is better?) Reasonable value.

    The real question comes at the 32000 km "maintenance" service. It has the oil and filter service , good value included and costs $149.00. The extra $100 includes the battery service evaluation and a general overhaul of the drive chassis. It also includes removal of the brake drum to check pad shoe thickness, brake lines and wheel cylinders. It seems they are earning their extra $100- no parts included, just time and sundry items. The part I don't understand is that there is also a brake service on top of that at $80.00. Total $149+$80+$53 replace cabin air filter= $280 or so tax. This is my second prius and I don'r remember this kind of recommended service fees. With all highway miles, I hardly spent any money on brakes until $200,000 miles on my 2005 Prius which I still have.

    The cabin air is a croc, anyone can do it for the $25 part and 2 minutes and save $30. But the extra brake service when brakes are already in the maintenance service....I can't figure that . Any ideas???

    Also, where can I get cabin air filters for the Prius 2012 that are cheap and work properly.
     
    #1 David Duchesne, Feb 3, 2013
  2. dragonfly13

    dragonfly13 Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I just purchased a 2013 Prus III. I've read on here about the cabin filter, and forgot to ask the salesman to show me where the filter is located. Can anyone help?
     
    #2 dragonfly13, Feb 3, 2013
  3. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
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    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It's behind the glove box. Very easy DIY replacement--instructions in owner's manual. I bought replacement online for ~$25 for the cabin filter and engine filter combined (including shipping) at:
    RockAuto Parts Catalog
     
    #3 stream, Feb 3, 2013
  4. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Since you're quoting km, I assume you're not in the US, but as a data point regarding the brake service question, I just had an oil/filter service performed (for $14.95--including 0W-20 synthetic--dealership moved into new facility and has a special running--best car maintenance value ever!). US dealers also include a multi-point inspection (fluid levels, tire tread, etc.) with all service, which also includes brake inspection.

    See my other post for cabin filter source.
     
    #4 stream, Feb 3, 2013
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    $150 for an oil change and brake inspection seems reasonable. I'm a little confused: your profile says 2005, and you mention drum brakes. The 2012 has discs front and rear.

    For a thorough brake job I'd expect to pay around $400, what they're doing will likely be a fairly quick visual check of lines and pad thickness.

    You don't mention, but I would assume they're doing the tire rotations as well. And will inspect the brakes in the course of tire removal. If you're typically getting an oil change and tire rotation for around $50 that's very reasonable. Tire rotation is often brushed off as a trivial maintenance, but it actually pretty strenous. Obviously more so for the DIY'r, but still...

    FYI, I'm doing my own oil changes, and saw in the schedule the requirement for brake inspection at 30K. Phoned up my local dealership and they said not to bother with it, LOL.

    I'd be inclined to agree, the brakes look pristine, compared to any other car we've had. Also, I'm reluctant to DIY with Prius brakes, I hear it's easy to upset the electronics, or have something activate while you have things apart.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Feb 3, 2013
  6. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    You can change the pads. It's bleeding the brakes that the car doesn't like.
     
    #6 El Dobro, Feb 3, 2013
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  7. David Duchesne

    David Duchesne Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I own 2 Prius vehicles. 2005 and 2012.
     
    #7 David Duchesne, Feb 3, 2013
  8. David Duchesne

    David Duchesne Junior Member

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    II
    Do I void the warranty by avoiding the maintenance inspection and just doing an oil change? What about the battery service in the maintenance inspection. And the disassembly of the brakes to inspect.?.
     
    #8 David Duchesne, Feb 3, 2013
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    In your shoes, for $150 for the lot, I'd just follow through. You'll have the piece of mind of a (likely cursory) brake inspection, and no one can fault you regarding following the schedule.

    FWIW, I've yet to darken the doorstep of the Service department, in 2 years of ownership. I think the main thing is the oil and filter changes, and when I've picked up oil and filters (all in one go at the parts department, using Toyota 0W20), I think once or twice they've said something along the lines of "just keep your receipts" (when doing your own work).
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Feb 3, 2013
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