2008 Prius just reached 30K - Mainentance?

I wouldn't pay one cent for dealer 30 k service package. It is almost exclusively BS. They go me almost $300 for a basic oil change and "inspection" Included engine air filter but no cabin air filter.

Icarus

 

Open the Scheduled Maintenance Guide to the correct miles/months page, show that to the service writer and say, "do this and nothing else". It should cost less than $100. Don't ever say, "gimme yer X miles service", 'because you'll get serviced all right. And that's really about it. One exception: based on used oil analysis some owners change the transmission fluid in the range of 30k to 60k miles, and not the 100k shown in the Scheduled Maintenance Guide.

Consider changing the engine and cabin air filters yourself. They're really easy (just be sure to put the new ones in the same orientation as the old ones). The parts department will be happy to sell them to you.

 

When inspecting the 2G engine air filter, please note that the dirty side of the engine air filter is on the bottom. Some owners remove the air filter housing cover, see the clean side of the air filter which is exposed, and erroneously assume that all is well.

Lift up the engine air filter and hold up to sunlight. If you can see light coming through the filter, then it is OK to use (compare to a new filter if necessary.) If you can't see light passing through, then replace the filter.

If you decide to change the engine air filter, note the tab on the rubber gasket which points towards the rear of the car. Make sure that tab fits into the indentation in the air filter housing and that the rubber gasket fits securely into the air filter housing.

 

I concur with Richard Re: Transmission fluid changes. The CV trans is still relatively new technology, best to err on the safe side, especially with a replacement trans $4000 from the dealer! That said they have a reputatoin for durability. I change mine every 30,000.

 

From lab testing 30k is a bit over the top. I would suggest the first refresh of Type WS ATF at 30k miles and then every 60k miles thereafter. My first exchange of ATF at 61k miles on my 2004 Prius showed a lot of metallic load (AL and FE), but at 120k miles the report was much better as the gears had "lapped" in and less metal was lost. I will be doing my third exchange at 180k miles at the end of this summer. Report to follow.

JeffD