Best place to get the oil changed for a Prius?

I use to do it all the time, but now I am one of the ones with "physical impairments." So now the question for me is whether to take my Pruis to an independent shop or a Toyota dealership for this service. Some independent shops are good and some aren't. Some dealerships are good and some aren't. And therein lies the conundrum. I prefer to take it to a GOOD dealership, and pay a bit more, so that all my records are on file.

 

Just keep a record of the receipt. How hard is that ? I personally use the shoebox method: throw receipts in a folder and forget about them unless needed.

 

I buy maintenance supplies "just in time", ie: if I'm doing an oil and filter change, I buy just enough oil, the filter and a drain bolt washer, from our dealership parts department, maybe a week at most prior to the deed.

This way I have a single, Toyota invoice, with all items on it. The dealership has me on record as well, knows what I bought and when.

On the day I do the change I write the date and kms on the invoice, and add it to a duo tang folder.

I also maintain a txt format file on a computer: noting date, kms, what was done, using a few (easily searchable) key words.

 

Nice. Text files are so 1990 though. Try Google Docs

 

Yeah. I like a little brit program: TextPad.

 

I prefer all of the bells and whistles I added to my Excel spreadsheet.
To each his own...

 

Oh, I like Excel too. But seems overkill for a log file.

 

I like charting data.

 

What are you going to do when you want to add up the cost of multiple filters ??

Multiply ?!*!

 

I'm not tracking costs, just what was done, the odometer reading and the date.

 

Dayam hard when you're my age and can't remember where I left my false teeth when I get up in the morning!

Easy for you to say now. Wait till your my age and you forget where you put your Depends when you need them most!

 

Same solution. Always put them in the same box

 

My local Toyota dealership in Chandler, AZ charged $35 after tax for my oil change last month. I double checked the work and all is well.

I like taking it to a dealer if the price is nearly the same as other places. If there is a problem, Toyota Corporate is likely to be more forgiving if a problem arises and if all the work was done at a Toyota dealership following their protocols.

 

Great tutorial. There isn't much difference between the Prius oil change and any vehicle oil change other than the synthetic washer around the drain bolt and the cartridge-style filter. Is anyone using Rhino ramps to raise their vehicle?

 

Ive been overfilled at chain places and toyota dealerships. have to do it myself in order to be sure. mines gen 2 tho not sure abt gen 3 capacity

 

I agree with most of the comments...you don't want to go to one of those cheap drive-thru oil changes, ESPECIALLY Walmart! My son-in-law used to be an assistant manager in a Walmart that had an auto service section and his stories of the non-mechanics destroying engines would scare the pants off you! (Forgetting to put oil in the car, or filter or draining the wrong plug like the transmission, etc.) Same goes for Jiffy Lube, Grease Monkey, etc...it's a gamble for sure.
Check with your Toyota dealer, they often have bundle deals for oil/filter changes. Mine has 3 oil/filter changes for something like $129. Also, they do something called a MPI (multi-point inspection) and will let you know if they see any issues or concerns about just about everything...front/rear brakes, suspension, tires, etc.
If you have the NextDoor app, ask your neighbors for a good, honest local mechanic. I advised this for my sister, in South Carolina, and she found a local shop that treats her like a princess...so glad she found them!
And feel free to ask us questions....like if a mechanic, even at a dealership, wants you to pay for some expensive service....most of us know when some mechanic just needs to make a boat payment and is trying to scam somebody! (Not all are like this but some are.)

 

I use ramps to change my oil, or the front center jacking point and jackstands, depending on my mood.

Ramps work well, if that's the way you want to go. Some people have problems with the front of the car hitting the ramps before the wheels hit them though. If that happens, you can use some 2x6 or 2x8 boards in front of the ramps to raise the front of the car before it rolls on to the ramps.

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My Toyota dealer does oil and filter for $28. At that price it’s not worth it to me to get dirty especially in winter.

 

That's an incredible price at a dealer. My area charges $90+

 

Do they pressure you for extras? That’s the only way to make that price work. Don’t tell me that includes tire rotation?