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Repair recommendations after a $30 oil change at the dealership

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Freeze Time, Apr 4, 2023.

  1. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2019
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    Location:
    Sanford NC
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Why do you think they offer a 29.99 oil change? They certainly won't be making any money on that! As for the "fan cleaning", I cleaned the filter (wasn't very dirty) on my 2015 and didn't bother with the fan at all.
    Also people here will tell you to always run your AC to help keep your hybrid battery cool. I never use my ac (live in NC) and my hybrid battery is doing well. I also haven't cleaned my EGR circuit yet at 102k so I'm sure my head gasket is about to blow at any moment. Sometimes you just need to use your own good sense despite what others tell you. They mean well but most here go to the extreme...I think they probably even clean out that little filter at the foot of the refrigerator every month like the manual tells you! Right guys? Don't you?
     
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
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    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I've replaced many hybrid batteries and inspected many fans. The fans that usually need cleaning are in cars where owners carry pets very often. The others typically just have a thin layer of dust which really has no impact on airflow. If anything, buy an OBD device and get the hybrid assistant app. You can use it to manually change the cooling fan speeds. Hold some tissue to the cooling fan intake and go through each fan speed to see how well it's sucking in air. Very low speed is barely noticeable flow, but if it's clogged, there will be very little air being pulled in even at top speed.
    Pretty sure you can also remove the trunk floor and storage tray to see how much air is coming out of the HV exhaust duct as you go through the fan speeds. $50 for a really good OBD device and app, or a few hundred to have a shop clean the fan, whether it needs it or not.
     
  3. N H

    N H Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2020
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    Location:
    Syracuse, NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    V
    On top of all the things mentioned above, why change only 3 tires? lol.

    You just going to end up with an unbalanced tires and then when that last one goes, a real mechanic will tell you to change all them in pairs or all 4 together realistically and then you'll have to change them again
     
    Brian1954 likes this.
  4. joeboppppp

    joeboppppp New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2024
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    Location:
    north miami beach
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I purchased a 2013 because I drive a 2012 for work which has 428,000 MI I discovered that one of the problems with the head gasket is at least to some extent the failure of the water pump impeller I started using an app it keeps an eye on the coolant temperature and even though my head gasket is blown I've been driving it for over a year and a half but just keeping an eye on the temperature and adding coolant as necessary these vehicles were very well designed they're not perfect but if you pay attention they won't leave you hanging dry