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How's everyone's early Gen3's holding up?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Sporin, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Vermont, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm about at 140k miles on our car, bought new in Dec. 2010.

    So far the car really hasn't given us any trouble. I've done brakes all around and both front wheel bearings at around 90k miles. It had the TSB for the intake manifold done. I replaced the 12v battery last winter. It's chewed through some tires of course (I run dedicated snows in the winter here in Vermont). We use it as our long distance family car as well as my wife's 40 miles per day commute.

    There's no signs of the hybrid battery having any issues. I've had the dealership do every single service and everything is a-ok according to their test procedures.

    It's been paid off for a while now and payment free living is great so we are in no hurry to replace it. Hoping to keep it at least 2 more years but maybe more. The back seat is getting tight for our already 6'1" 15 year old. It's eventual replacement will probably be something with a bigger backseat.

    I'm sure some of you all have WAY more miles on your Gen3's... how are you holding up?

    Hosed the salt and ice off of it yesterday, a briefly cleanish photo...

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It yours using any oil between oil changes? That seems to be an issue with some Gen 3 Prii.
     
  3. Sporin

    Sporin Prius Noob

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Not according to my regular dipstick checks, or any feedback from the dealer.
     
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  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Model:
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    @Raytheeagle or @Mendel Leisk since they are not using any oil, do you think an OCC and/or your cleaning would be beneficial as preventive maintenance?
     
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  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Our 2010 Prius II with 171 k miles is holding up well:). It has been paid off for over 5 years now and agree with payment free living;). But we recently replaced the wife’s 98 4runner with a 2017 Lexus RX450h so back into car payments for a bit:cool:.

    Our Prius consumes about 20 ounces of oil between 10 k mile oil changes, so not bad. I have also done the front hub assemblies and just last week replaced the original 12v battery:). Also installed an oil catch can.

    I do have the Prolong setup installed and been using it for a year now (since 150 k miles). While you say the battery is healthy, I know my own experience said that it was fine before, but after top end charges I notice a difference and after reconditioning I see gains too:).

    Since we have the RX450H, I’ll be running our 2010 into the ground;).

    But with the preventative maintenance, that should be a good bit down the road(y).
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Looks like a keeper! If you hang in a few more years, you won’t need the back seat when (s)he’s off to college! :)
     
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  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
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    144,000km so not as high as yours. I forgot to check the dipstick before the 144,000km service earlier this week so I don't know if it's using any oil (though the consensus appears to be that it'll start around 160,000km).

    • Changed the 12V battery last spring (lasted 7.5 years)
    • Currently on the 3rd set of tires
    • Brake pads around 50% (despite crossing the Rockies at least twice a year)
    • Front suspension has been creaky for a few years now but otherwise haven't noticed any performance issues
    • Have noticed the HV battery doesn't hold charge as easily when it was new (I mean that's expected lol) but it's not draining at any alarming rate - I think it's just normal wear and tear. I can still get fantastic mileage in the summer over longer distances.
    • Interior is in top notch condition imo. (aside from one sunscreen mark left behind by a friend last summer... sigh). The seats are in great condition for 144,000km (probably looks like half that age) and the steering wheel still shows some grain (It hasn't been smoothed out or worn to the suede/backing)
    • HIDs wore out so I put back the factory halogens.
    • My driver's side parking light is finicky - occasionally goes out. A tap on the headlight turns it back on.... must be a loose connection.
    • Moonroof works fine - no leaks or that worn weatherstripping in the Gen 3 thread
    • Solar panel still functions - haven't seen any weird discolouration yet
    • MID and MFD still work
    • Armrest and centre console are in good condition (aside from the flat spot on the centre console where I rest my elbow lol). The Gen 2 by this age had worn out the cloth armrest and centre console lid covers.
    • No repairs needed (just usual maintenance and whatever TSBs and recalls that were issued)
    • The front bumper looks like the surface of the moon from all the sand kicked up from other vehicles but there's no paint peeling - just hundreds of pin-sized dents :mad:
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Huh, I've had that happen too. :confused:
     
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  9. Tande

    Tande Active Member

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    Location:
    Mich.
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Weell........make it three! ....:confused:
     
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  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    Is 3 enough to consider it a pattern? lol. (Out of the, what, 40,000+ 2010s sold worldwide? :D)
     
  11. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That can sometimes be right at the interface between bulb and socket ... old trick was to go at the contacts with a pencil eraser. I also have a whitish Ford product they call 'electrical grease', comes in a little blue tube, not to be confused with their 'dielectric' grease (red/white tube, clearish, used when you want to not conduct).

    With the conductive grease, you do want to notice where the contacts on the bulb are, and make sure you don't blob enough grease on to bridge between them. Tiny dab does wonders.

    -Chap
     
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  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I used to do the same with the 4 ends of a turntable cartridge that connects to the tonearms. There would be static or noticeable attentuation of low level audio transmission, rubbing a pencil erase was the temp fix. Then I found caig deoxit cleaning solution, that was the end of erasers and attentuation.
     
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  13. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    At 30k right now with my 2015. Got it in August 2015. Cosmetics include two-tone Clazzio seat covers, wood grain dash trim look, rim-trim on stock rims with center cap and leather wrapped all 4 door armrest areas. Changed oil at 10k, then every 5k since. No issues. Will be taking it in to the guys at Hybrid-Pit to get the Oil-catch Can treatment.
     
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Forgot to add that I've switched to 5W-20 since 2015 (2010s manual allows both 0W-20 and 5W-20. Toyota required all 2011+ Toyota vehicles to use 0W-20).

    And the service interval in Canada is 6 months/8,000km (5,000 miles) for Gen 3.
     
  15. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Two
    Worst trouble so far (84.6 k): disintegrating rubber trim strips outside both left windows.
     
  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Made a one-time payment for 2012 trim 4 w/heads up display from Carmax Roseville. Fed royal purple maxx (the one that says use every for 10,000miles) 5 days after purchase, techron fuel injector cleaner 3 gas tanks ago and Techron complete fuel system cleaner one gas tank right before engine oil that was last changed at 86K. Posted some minor mods on the forum, next project is a pair of 12” COB strips in front of lower grill for DRL and sequential turn signal simultaneously. Also may be going royal purple 0-20w for next engine oil. Been using Trinova marine UV protectant on all exterior rubber seals and strips; solar panel surrounding and external doors trims still same color and intact. Plan is to drive this prius into the ground so no dealers or quick oil change shop not needed for maintaince or tune ups.
     
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  17. DetPrius

    DetPrius Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    2010, package 3, took delivery 7/8/09, now has 126,000 miles. I had the odd problem of the rear brake pads wearing unevenly, at a steep angle, twice. The second time they installed an improved shim I believe it was and the problem has not returned. Zero oil consumption with 0W-20 and 10,000 mile change intervals. On the 3rd set of tires now. 12V battery is original and I see no issues with it, no drop in mileage. I just had the low beam headlight wiring harnesses replaced under that customer service advisory. A few recalls that we all saw but very happy with the car at this point. Been paid off a few years and hope to drive it many more.
     
  18. Sedo2011

    Sedo2011 New Member

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    Location:
    Paltine
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    2010 Prius. Has 205k. Check engine hybrid light came on around 193K. Dealer says I need a new hybrid battery for $3700. Decided that I will get one of them OBD2 scanner to get rid of the check engine hybrid light and keep driving till the battery was completely dead. The light came on about 6 or 7 times and I kept cleared it with the scanner. Then I went on a 1500 mile trip during which the battery level stayed at about 2 levels below the full. That seemed to have somehow reconditioned the battery. Battery stays charged longer, doesn’t go down to last two bars as quickly and have been driving for about 5000 miles since the last light came on. But now, I think I need to get my wheel bearing done.
     
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  19. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Model:
    Two
    You may want to consider the Prolong conditioning system from Hybrid Automotive before the pack completely dies. @Raytheeagle and others have had excellent results.
     
  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Prime Plus
    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Some questions:
    • Did the dealer give you a print out of the codes?
    • If so, what were they?
    • What maintenance has been done in the 205 k miles?
    • Have you ever cleaned the hv battery fan?
    • Where is Paltine?
    I have the Prolong setup for our Prius which has helped maintain the hv battery:).

    Keep us posted (y).
     
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