1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Maintenance Costs on a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Bman83, Apr 16, 2013.

  1. Bman83

    Bman83 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
    39
    10
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I have an appointment to trade in my wife's Camry for a Prius tomorrow evening. I was curious if there are any maintenance items on a Prius that cost more than usual. I've been told that the Tires wear faster by a friend but I think that's bogus. I figure tires will be Cheaper to replace as her Camry has 16" and the Prius has 15" wheels I believe.
     
    #1 Bman83, Apr 16, 2013
  2. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    1,391
    543
    0
    Location:
    Santa Monica, Ca. 90405
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Well the first 25k miles the maintance is free, my orig spec tires, now with 27k miles. I expect, at the current rate will last to 45k. I've gathered from this forum that brakes last approx 100k, and in California your Hybrid battery has a 10 year 150 mile warranty.
    I'm expecting my maintaince will be lower than my last car, a 2001 Camry Solara Convertible. The gas cost is certainly waaaaay down.
    The one pricy item is the 12 volt battery, which is expected to last 4 to 6 years and will cost between 2 and $300 installed.
     
    #2 Munpot42, Apr 16, 2013
  3. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,348
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    OEMs tires will last around 40K +/- miles, like most new cars. Most other "maintenance" items are on par with regular cars, but remember to maintain it. Lot's of good reading hear, but do not fall for the no maintenance needed for 100K BS. You'll be happy with the Prius if you liked the Camry. Not as luxurious but great mileage. ;)
     
    #3 frodoz737, Apr 16, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,658
    49,371
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    but the only maint. needed for the first 100k is oil and filters plus tire rotate, correct?
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 16, 2013
  5. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    660
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    70 for synthetic oil change or diy
     
    #5 tankyuong, Apr 16, 2013
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    No.

    Inspections are frequent. I would personally change the ATF at 30,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles.
    I would change the 12 volt battery every 5 years.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Apr 16, 2013
  7. Bman83

    Bman83 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
    39
    10
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    How many miles do the recommend an oil change? My wife has a 09 Camry and changes it every 5k miles with a regular oil but my brother has 10' Camry and has to use synthetic oil though its every 10k miles
     
    #7 Bman83, Apr 17, 2013
  8. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1,607
    877
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Same for the Prius, 10K miles for oil and filter change.
     
    #8 BZzap!, Apr 17, 2013
  9. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
    8
    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Maintenance+repairs is dirt cheap. This is my all-inclusive spreadsheet covering 8.5 years and about 152k miles. It is working out to right about 1 penny a mile.
    Tyres will last a long time if you check pressures when you fuel up and inflate closer to sidewall maximum rather than the mushy pressures Toyota recommends.
     
    #9 SageBrush, Apr 17, 2013
  10. Batavier

    Batavier Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2004
    442
    3
    0
    Location:
    The Netherlands
    My first Prius (2004) is still using the same 12V battery, after 290,000 kms. No problems whatsoever. In the Netherlands the Toyota dealers use the same maintenance schedule (and prices) as the Vitz for the Prius2. Not sure what the prices for the Prius3 are, but probably comparable.
     
    #10 Batavier, Apr 17, 2013
  11. szgabor

    szgabor Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2009
    993
    175
    0
    Location:
    Oceanside NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well a base model of Camry is a lot LESS luxurious than a base model of Prius Two in my opinion. I had one while my 3 days old 2012 prius' front bumper was fixed !!! I do not remember which model LS or something but I know that was the lowest model maybe 2011 something. Did not much like the ride either.
     
    #11 szgabor, Apr 17, 2013
  12. Blu-ray

    Blu-ray Blizzard Brigade #215

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2012
    471
    198
    0
    Location:
    TampaBay, FL
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    One thing with the new prii that you don't have to have replaced... like EVER are belts. No serpentine or accessory belts period!
     
    #12 Blu-ray, Apr 17, 2013
  13. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    660
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    And 200000 mile brakes
     
    #13 tankyuong, Apr 17, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)