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Dealer's recommendations for maintenance??

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Zoltar, Aug 19, 2021.

  1. Zoltar

    Zoltar Junior Member

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    I know this is a popular topic, but I'm asking for my specific vehicle. The dealer's and Toyota's service recommendations may not be a match. This is what the dealer told me I need:

    SPARK PLUGS: $322.69

    TRANSMISSION FLUID EXCHANGE: $284.88

    ENGINE COOLANT
    : $167.89

    INVERTER COOLANT
    : $194.12

    FUEL INJECTION
    : $102.34

    FUEL INDUCTION
    : $137.84

    BRAKE FLUID FLUSH
    : $148.06

    ('14 Prius V, 112k, location in NC, no issues. Never had CVT fluid changed; only have done oil, air filters, tires as needed, brakes as needed.)

    Tnx!!
     
  2. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    I just threw up in my mouth while reading this.
     
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  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    This is a good time to find a good independent shop that should be able to reduce the total in half. Fuel injection and induction is questionable. A good independent hybrid shop would clean the egr cooler and related parts first. If they have done that before on a gen3 Prius you have found your shop.
     
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  4. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Quite a wallet-lightening listicle!
     
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  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Are you handy with tools? The top 4 items on your list are all pretty easy for someone who knows how to swing a wrench.

    Nutz about boltz has some good maintenance videos, and they're posted and indexed in the Maintenance section of the Gen 3 hatchback section. The v is almost identical to the Gen 3 hatchback.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  6. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    The price quoted for transmission drain/fill is outright gouging. It's easy, almost as easy as an oil change, especially with access to a lift.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  7. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    Yep thus the reason so many of us a DIYers!! I called my dealership on how much they charge for a transmission service in my Prius and they said $319. All you do is drain and fill with Toyota WS fluid which is about $11-15 a quart. (My 2017 Prius takes about 3.8 quarts.)
    I agree about finding a good mechanic who will do the jobs but I would ask them to use OEM Toyota parts, especially with the transmission fluid.
    (I know the Prius doesn't have a transmission, folks...just keeping it simple!)
     
  8. beachgeek

    beachgeek Member

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    My dealer is always telling me things like that but everyone else says no. My tire dealer said around here Toyota is the worst for that. Now that all my service contracts are out I'm going to a local mechanic. He also says no to all that too. (2013 Prius V, 60,000 miles)
     
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  9. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    My Toyota service dealership wanted me back as customer. $44.95 oil change mailer brought be back. They know not to try to nickle and dime me. They even found the time to do my wire harness recall.
     
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  10. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    I just did this about a week ago, following the videos. I've never even done an oil change or rotated tires, but I managed to do it!

    I thought, though, that Toyota considers the transmission sealed, and they don't recommend it. Others have reported that their dealership wouldn't even do it.
     
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  11. Zoltar

    Zoltar Junior Member

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    I think the CVT service is in the manual, at like 120k. Then it all stops, like you are not supposed to drive more than 120k.. I'm planning to go over 200k...
     
  12. Zoltar

    Zoltar Junior Member

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    Thanks guys! Yeah, figured it was price gouging. I'm in Raleigh. Hard to find a decent independent shop. I may have to go out of town, hit the smaller cities. <OR> I "negotiate." I've got to know my service rep good enough to attempt to pull something off. I recently popped the question: "Do you guys price match?" She was all over it, like they don't want me going elsewhere. So... I'm thinking the service is like buying: Haggle it out! I'll let y'all know! Yeah I could DIY, but would prefer not to...
     
  13. gromittoo

    gromittoo Active Member

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    I guess "FUEL INJECTION" means Clean the Injectors, but what the heck is "FUEL INDUCTION"?
     
  14. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    Maybe they're just filling the gas tank..
     
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  15. Zoltar

    Zoltar Junior Member

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    UPDATE... I found a guy, seems good, will do all the following for $500:

    - Synthetic oil change
    - OEM Denso spark plugs
    - engine coolant drain and fill
    - inverter coolant drain and fill
    - transmission fluid drain and fill (OEM fluid)
    - brake fluid flush

    What do you think?
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you're a little early for all of that, but the price seems very reasonable. have them check and lube the brakes too.
     
  17. Zoltar

    Zoltar Junior Member

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    Right! So the deal is, it's this guy who moved here a little while ago. Former Honda tech sorta reinventing himself. His shop is his garage so it's just this one guys. But stellar reviews and well-respected. Funny, b/c there is now "waiting room" with the *free* coffee and stuff, but this is waay less cost than the dealer. This is too low a price for me to bust on my dealer lady. IMO, they'd just say no and give me 5mm reasons I should buy from them!
     
  18. gromittoo

    gromittoo Active Member

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    That is a great deal, when you consider how much labor is involved with getting to the spark plugs. You have to remove the windshield wiper assembly and the tray out, just to get to them. I would make sure that they use the OEM transmission fluid, and the OEM "pink" (not "red") coolant. The cost for the OEM is not that much more than the aftermarket stuff. The Synthetic oil can be any brand, as a long as it is 0W20 and done every 5k miles (Toyota recommends 10k).

    I disagree with @bisco about too early. At 112k, you should be concerned about the EGR + EGR Cooler + Intake Manifold getting plugged up. Even if you have the new oil control rings on your 2014, you will have to get these cleaned out eventually. While the windshield wiper tray is out (for the plugs) is a great time to get to the EGR cooler. I would not go past 140k for this.

    Somewhere on PriusChat, I read of a place that specializes in Hybrids, and has a package price of $650 that includes all of the above plus the complete EGR cleanout. I think they called it "The Full Monty" service, and I think they are in LA. That is too far for @Zoltar, but worth thinking about as a package of services.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the egr is not on the list i said it was too early for, but feel free to be disagreeable :p
     
  20. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I agree, the EGR cooler and EGR valve are early. Our Prius at 125k on the odometer was only about 50-60% clogged, and the EGR pipe wasnt bad at all. The EGR valve was fouled with oily crud but it was soft, and easily wiped with a rag.

    The intake manifold, was pretty gunked up with lots of oily crud in the EGR passages, similar to the stuff in the EGR valve and pipe.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.