Looking at a used Prius V need advice

My two Prius have had 3 ATF changes at Kirk Toyota in Grenada MS, two were $90, one was $110.

 

Not a bad price I think

 

Yes, a dealership in rural MS is going to have lower overhead than one in a city.

 

@bostonbruins8703 : Seems like it's either $80~90, or $300 and a lot of explanation and push-back about how complicated it is, how you don't need it done.

It's about on par with an oil change, just a little different. And for that reason maybe a few bucks more. But yeah, should not be over $100.

It's a relatively easy DIY. I use a funnel and 3 foot tubing extension to refill, from above. The OD of the tube is around 15 mm; it fits with a little clearance.

You should have the car raised (about the same amount as you'd need for an oil change) and level. Various ways you can accomplish that: I do the whole thing on safety stands, but front on ramps and rear on safety stands (for example) would also work.

I'd recommend to take the the engine under panel off. If you've not done that regularly the fasteners are likely to be problematic. Keep on top of them: if any break or are missing, get them replaced (there's part no's in an attachment). Before reinstalling fasteners, wash them with hot/soapy water, clear out the grit.

The fill and drain bolts are identical, and you should replace the washers (dealership should have). Get 4 quarts of Toyota ATF WS and you'll have sufficient:: it'll take around 3.5~3.75. Toyota recommends to not save/use left overs, kind of like brake fluid: use fluid from freshly opened bottles.

The torque for fill/drain bolts is 29 ft/lbs. For breaking them loose a long handled wrench is helpful (ratcheting preferable, due to limited clearance lying under the car). Swivel head helps and extension helps too. Both bolts are socket-head cap screw style, require a 10mm Allen Key style socket. Stanley makes a metric set, for one.

It's good to remove the fill bolt first, just to make sure you can do it. Then get a drain pan in place and remove drain bolt, reinstall and torque, add the fluid. When it starts coming back out, install the fill bolt and torque.

 

Thanks for the helpful tips!! The bigger question for me is to when I can get it done since I have no garage and the winter cold and snow is setting in, lol And I have a dirt driveway.

 

Yeah wait for spring, it's no fun this time of year.

When I DIY, liters of the Toyota ATF WS are $9.14 CDN. That's maybe $6 US per quart? Funny thing though: seems like US dealerships mark it up more. And the fill and drain bolt washers are around $3 CDN apiece, which is robbery...

With a dirt driveway, maybe just run the front onto ramps and jack up and safety stand the rear (with squares of plywood under the safety stands. Yeah not having a slab-on-grade (and a roof over your head) makes it tough.

For the funnel with hose extension: you can get funnels that are designed for hose extension, have a spigot at the bottom that flares out, so a hose positively locks on it. That's your best bet; they're readily available. Maybe OCD, but I use mine only for Prius transaxle, to avoid contamination.

 

That is my plan for now unless the weather here takes a drastic turn and suddenly we're getting spring like weather

 

What's that called, Chinook?