What services you need and what you don't

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I am wondering whether it is possible that some US Toyota owners paid for periodic oil changes but did not receive them (i.e., the vehicle sat quietly in the parking lot for a couple of hours, then was returned to the owner untouched.) Hopefully that won't happen to Prius group members who are sensitive about maintaining proper oil level. Hence owners will check the dipstick after an oil change and can see if the oil is clean or dirty.

 

Wow. That's an interesting question. Frankly, if I thought the shop even potentially did that, I'd be elsewhere. I do go to a Toyota dealership I trust, and make nice with the client guy. The tech has to sign off on it, I suspect if it were to happen, it'd be one tech being lazy.

Frankly, I think an oil change is a huge money maker for shops. I doubt any of them would ever possibly put that at risk by saving a few dollars of oil and a very little time.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Care to elaborate? I'm stretching my oil changes to nearly double the recommended interval and have the UOAs to back it up. If my UOAs show the oil to be in good shape in all respects, why would a dealer invalidate my warranty claim if a part fails?

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Patrick

That opens up such a can of worms, that all I can say is this:

If you have to go to the extremes of putting "witness marks" on your hood and oil filter, to "prove" the oil was changed, then you had better change the damn oil yourself

My 1990 4Runner had a "normal" 12 month or 7,500 mile OCI. I really do think the sludge problem was caused by bottom feeder no-name min-spec bulk oil sitting in the dealer tote bin

jay

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

If you're "stretching" the North American oil change interval to double the recommended, that means you're at the "normal" interval for EU market Toyota's: 12 months or 10,000 miles. I haven't heard of too many pistons shooting out of hoods of Toyota cars in the EU, have you?

I get a bit steamed about this topic, as virgin oil analysis handily proves how inferior the North American API specs are, compared to min-spec ACEA specs. I've covered this in painful detail in other posts, but it still boils my cubes that consumers in North America are led to believe that *all* oils are the same. AFter all, the API only has one spec: SM

You bring up a good point though. Say there is a hidden defect, a metallurgical defect in a connecting rod. You're at 59,959 miles, motoring along, and the rod blows out of the block. Phew, thank god for the warranty

Then the Toyota dealership informs you that due to "stretching" the oil change interval from 6 months/5,000 miles to 12 months/10,000 miles, your engine warranty is null and void.

With time, you could prove the oil change interval had nothing to do with the oil change interval. That sort of FMEA/DMEA is exotically expensive to perform, you could probably buy a new Prius for the cost of that analysis.

I find it very odd that across the board, especially for Toyota's flagship "green" product, they have oil change intervals 2-6 times more often than the rest of the world. Ever drive in EU cities? They also have congestion, stop-n-inch, and northern lattitudes have temps very comparable to Winnipeg or even Churchill, Manitoba.

jay

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The sludge problem is primarily on the new V6 introduced about 97 with AL block. I believe the problem was caused by Toyota making the oil passages smaller and raised the thermostat to 190F. The oil subjected to higher temperature.

 

back to the original topic for 1 post:

toyota sells a premium pre paid maintenance plan for msrp $1350 that covers the maintenance up to 55,000 miles/4 years, includes free roadside assistance, and the major service intervals of 15,000 30,000 45,000 it can be purchased online for about $800

problem
the prius doesn't really have those 3 major service intervals and you can actually purchase the "classic" pre paid maintenance plan for the msrp of $710, it would lower the cost of the service to $64 per interval. which at rates what the bay area toyota dealers charge for thier tire rotations and oil changes, might actually be a good deal, plus you still get toyota's roadside assistance

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Has anyone out there experienced bent front struts? My 2007 Touring has just over 36K miles.

I have been complaining about both tire wear and headlight aim to the dealer. The last two times I went to have the problems addressed they both missed the bent struts and missed the disconnected headlight sensor nut at the rear axle link. But that is a personal problem being addressed.

The steering wheel level has been changing, angling to the left, over the past 15K miles since I bought this car. I suspect the struts have been bending over that time.

My question revolves around replacement struts. Are the KYB struts listed at Car Part Wholesale - Auto Parts and Accessories Catalog - 2007 Toyota Prius Strut Assembly any stronger than Toyota stock parts? They certainly are cheaper by half.

 

KYB manufactures the Toyota-branded struts and shocks. It's unclear whether the KYB-branded parts are better or worse than the Toyota-branded parts.

Your link shows KYB front struts at $71 each. Compare with the $99 price at Champion Toyota:
Champion ToyotaWorld

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

After some new information regarding the Toyota infinite warranty on mufflers and struts, I decided to have the dealer replace the struts under my warranty and pay for them if Toyota decides not to honor the fact they bent. If Toyota does pay and they bend again I'll have the dealer do the job and then never pay for it again. That apparently is some guarantee set up by Toyota. But that is what the dealer told me and who am I to argue with the dealer (ha)?
So far so good. Toyota has not come back, but,as the British like to say, it's early days yet.
At least the car runs very nicely now.

At the same time I got a set of used Corolla 15" steel wheels and a set of new tires. The Corolla wheels are just right for the 175 65 R15 tires used on the Mini Cooper; 6 inch rim width. I got Continentals, the only premium tire currently available in this country in that size, and they have proved absolutely superior to those low profile Bridgestone gunboats that came on the car. Now I can run the dirt roads just like I did in my '94 Corolla wagon. It's a real delight to have good cornering control again on the dirt. And the ride is even better on the super slab, nice and soft without all that thump thump over the joints and pot holes. Nothing like a good set of high sidewalls and narrow treads. Toyota should offer those Corolla 15" steels as a rim option for the Prius, specially in snow country.
Another nice thing; 51 PSI max pressure on those puppies. So far, at 44 PSI front and 42 PSI rear, I haven't dropped below 51.9 MPG average even at 75 MPH cruise on the slab.

 

When I picked up dedicated steel rims for my winter tires, I went with multi-fit that work on a Corolla. No problems whatsoever. Make sure to use the proper acorn style lugnuts, the OEM Toyota lugnuts will loosen up. For winter I run studded tires. No TPMS on my Prius, so I don't have to worry about the naggy light staying on the entire winter

However, I do have the icy road warning light stay on most of the winter. Black electrical tape nicely covers it

 

Hi. I'm confused about the transaxle fluid because I keep reading conflicting things. I see where people with 2004+ models have posted about changing the fluid, however, I've also seen that with 2004 and after you DON'T have to replace it. I'm in the process of getting my 60,000 maintence checklist finished. I avoid the local dealer at all costs, and luckily I have a trusty local mechanic who has been able to take care of everything I can't do on my own so far. Should I get him to take care of the transaxle fluid?

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

After some time of thinking and searching I have discovered that the tire pressure sensor part numbers for the Prius and for the Corolla 15 inch steel wheels is the same number. That means I can dismount the valve-stem/sensor from my Prius wheels and install them in the Corolla steel wheels I am now using.

How's that for a simple solution that doesn't involve black tape over the dash light?

The nicest part is that the car already knows those sensors so I don't even have to go through the sensor re-calibration process.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

For low-mileage cars, specifically the Prius, what service is necessary at three years?

My car recently celebrated this milestone with the odometer barely past 11,000 miles. So far, I’ve been getting the oil changed every six months, the tires rotated every year. Earlier this year, I had the cabin air filter changed for the first time. The little driving I do is usually in city type traffic.

Anticipating that the dealer may get insistent about its more advanced service packages when I next visit, I’m seeking objective advice. The costs for these packages are not incidental: $400 for the 3 year/30K miles package, $200 for 18 month/15K miles. The dealer will probably say what he always does, that I should follow the time rather than mileage guidelines.

The car’s been running fine save for sporadic squeaks emanating from the front passenger area when in forward motion. The noise recalls squeaky coils.

 

I think it is sufficient for you to change the engine oil and filter at one-year intervals or 5K miles whichever comes first. Suggest you check the engine air filter if this hasn't been changed yet; hold it up to the sun and see if light passes through. If the filter is dark then you should replace it; the price will probably be ~$20 at your dealer's parts counter.

I also suggest that you look at the radiator and inverter coolant reservoirs to ensure the fluid levels are at the top mark; if not, buy a gallon of pink SLLC coolant and replenish as needed.

The squeak may be coming from a seat or may be coming from the front suspension.

When the tires are rotated, that would be a good time to inspect the suspension and brakes to ensure no problems exist.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I think so; I change the transaxle fluid on my 2004 at 30K mile intervals. Suggest that you purchase 4 qt of Toyota ATF WS and two aluminum washers for the transaxle drain and fill plugs from your Toyota dealer's parts dept, so that your mechanic has the necessary supplies for the job.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Thanks for your thoughtful and reassuring advice.

 

Thank you for posting this I have a question about a service which I am not sure I need.
The toyota dealer would like me to clean my Throttle Body. They also want me to clean my Mass Air Flow Sensor and Cabin air filter.
I have an 07 Prius with 47,277 miles on it. Thanks for the help guys! I just want to make sure I need these things.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Thanks for this useful thread. I do have a question, however.

My dealer is recommending:

Air conditioner service: it is working fine, so I do not plan to do this service. Good / bad idea?

Cabin filter: I change it myself.

Fuel Injection service: Based on this thread, I will wait for 100,000 miles. Fuel economy is fine, I hear no engine noise.

Valve Adjustment: I have no idea what this refers to. Could it be the pressure control valve mentioned? What question should I ask of my dealer.

The car is a 2004 model, with 73,000 miles. My recent tanks have averaged 50 mpg.