Toyota Service Dept recommendations @ 50k miles

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by JTEM, Jul 27, 2026 at 6:26 PM.

  1. JTEM

    JTEM Member

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    My one owner, 2017 Prius Prime Premier has 50k miles on it. Took it to a local Toyota dealership for Oil change. They recommended the following which have never been done on my car:
    * Replace/flush brake fluid
    * Replace/flush engine coolant
    * Replace/flush inverter coolant

    I declined all of the above. Have folks done all of the above, and if so when did you do this service?

    Thanks,

    JT
     
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  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Not quite BS; they want to do those changes based on time NOT mileage. I believe the coolant change is around 100+K miles or 10 years and DOT3 brake fluid has a 2 year shelf life - UNOPENED. There are test strips and test units to measure; if each of those fluids needs to be replaced. I would also consider changing the ATF; if you plan on driving that car until the wheel fall off - for the same reason stated above.
    The OEM manual states to replace NOT flush the coolant - there's a difference. I would flush the brake system, since your pushing 10 years on that fluid. Old fashion vacuum assisted braking systems didn't have motors and electronic valves to clog up - just my 2 cents. I bet ya' that brake fluid in your reservoir is a lot darker than new.

    It's your car and your money - so do whatever you like.....
     
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  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yep... Creating needless work to make money off of someone who doesn't have any reason to give them money.

    Modern cars can go hundreds of thousands of miles without these threes fluid system being changes, but dishonest mechanics hope you still believe in the 1960 reality of cars needing lots of maintenance and not lasting long.

    And on a Prius that has regenerative braking and doesn't use the engine that often you can go even longer. First milestsone will be 120K miles when you could benefit from new spark plugs and intake system cleaning.

    For perspective my 2007 is on all three original fluids and never changed at 304K miles. As an experiment I decided to see how long I could go before replacing front brake pads and rotors and got 287K miles out of 'em.

    The exceptions to this is testing the brake fluid with test strips and replacing if there's water in the system. Also 2010-2015 Prius have engine overheating problems and there's preventive maintenance including fluid flush for that, which doesn't apply to your 2017.

    In other words 50K miles on the car means its pretty much still brand new and you only need to do brand new car things to make it nicer.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I would also recommend following the time schedule (although, I don't myself)
     
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  5. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    Just remember one thing about this forum. Most people commenting here never bought a new Prius. I am the exception to that rule. My dealership tried to roll me for a Prius HV battery filter cleaning of $120. I spent $10 for 2x new filters and changed it myself. The dealership was not even going to put a new filter in for $120.

    Always decline any suggested service beyond an oil change. At 100K miles there is a list of items that require attention.
     
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  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    You don't have to do any more maintenance at all when you own a near invisble 2012 PriusPlugin because a Chevy Bolt got in the way.

    It's a perfect fix for the headgasket problem too!
     
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Not true. Many of us have bought Prii new. I have had three new and have well over 500,000 miles driving them.

    Fluid changes are important especially on gen3s. I recommend twice the book frequency for brake and engine reliability.
     
  8. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    So you would notice when people buy new. A Prius lasts forever. A lot of people who buy used pay the price down the road.