How does one prove he did the required maintenance?

Either keep your receipts or make sure there is a computer record of the purchases and you are golden. There is a law that pertains to this someone here might have reference to.

 

Have the dealer do the service

 

Why? When I grew up if you couldn't do your own fluids and filters you were considered a...well you figure it out.

 

when we had our kia van, all it took for them was a complete spreadsheet listing all the services, dates and mileage. i also had reciepts. that blew them away and they had no problem replacing all the gaskets in the engine that were leaking oil (a big job). they problably wouldn't have done if i didn't have the records they said. oh they also had to replsce the alternator.

 

A written record legally suffices, IIRC.
A spreadsheet and receipts for filters and fluids is even better.

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I believe that they have to repair your car within the warranty unless they can prove that lack of maintanence is the cause of the failure. that is how it works if you do performance mods on you car. I have my oil changed at a local oil change place and I keep the recipets they also have my records and that will work showing that it is done. If you do it yourself keep reciepts and write on them the date and miles on the odometer that would work also.

 

I keep a detailed spreadsheet with dates, services, parts and supply purchases, mileage, etc. I also keep the services posted on ToyotaOwners.com. I purchase most parts and supplies from the dealership so they have records of the purchases also.

 

Good for you...to few drivers keep a "log book".

 

Well the thing is...even if u bought a bulk 10 pack of oil filters and presented this receipt to the dealer pending their investigation, it can backfire - they can say something like "we know you bought the filters but how do we know you actually changed them every 8,000kms in the oil change?" That would be a tough one to prove.

Regardless, I am counting on my Prius not breaking down and I intend to do the simple stuff myself.

 

I'm just going to take it in to the stealership for all maintenance required during the 7 year extended warranty period.

After the warranty period, I will do all minor maintenance items myself. Other more involved items will be taken to either the dealer or independent shop.

SCH-I535

 

It is your choice to use the Dealership for maintenance under warranty, but not required and is protected by law.

 

Good move

 

Log book unnecessary. Use there own site toyota.com/owners.

Its free and you can log all the diy'er you do on the same site the dealer logs all the work they have done.

Free.

Dealer has never touched my car for maintenance really. Only time they saw my car was for all the TSB's and one 3/36 under warranty repair for bad front wb. And during on free TSB they did a $59.99 on the rear wheel brakes. I thought that wasn't bad for a pull and looksee and clean & adjust for the rears.
That $59.99 was the only money they have seen so far. My car has seen Mobil 1 and Redline trans fluid since new.

The good thing about posting alot of diy info on the toyota site is the dealer see's that and see's your a car guy and they don't even ask you about the gimmicky good-better-best fuel injection cleaning and all the other crap they upsell you. I see the big poster boards everywhere in the waiting room listing all that stuff they must drill every women that comes in but they don't bother me with it.

 

Log Book is a figure of speech. Their site is in essence a log book.

 

The burden of proof is on them. Putting in an aftermarket radio does NOT void your warranty....well unless you screw the pooch in the install....and even then, the burden of proof is on them.
For example....
You install a cat-back exhaust and your radiator starts leaking.
Unless they can prove that one lead to the other?
They have to cover the warranty claim.
Sometimes...even often times, they will try to bully their way past their obligation to honor the warranty.
Why?
Because the customer usually takes their word for it...and because the mother ship will not let the dealer shank them with a $2500 repair bill for an $800 repair.
THAT's why.

Also,
Back in the day...dealerships used to bully people into using them for "required" maintenance.
Some unscrupulous dealers still do, but usually all you have to do is mention the The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act and that will usually quell their amorous intentions for your backside.
Why do you think that many of the OEMs offer free (worth every penny! ) maintenance for the first two years?
Is it because they LIKE you and they want to foster brand loyalty?
Or....
Is that they want to see your shiny young face in their dealership waiting room so that they can up-sell you on their 30,000 mile Throttle Body service, or the 20,000 mile HVAC "refreshorizer" or any other "recommended" service that Toyota neglected to put in their maintenance schedule?
Some people are like new parents.
They feed their little tadpole $260 a pound infant baby food, and $11 a gallon nursery water, and they buy $36,432 worth of every conceivable toy and safety device and enough outdoor gear to outfit an NFL offense or a platoon of Marines for six months.
Then?
After two years or so?
Your precious little crumb-snatcher is eating off the floor and rough housing with all of the other little tricycle motors in the city park....because you're over the new baby thing.
Same with cars.


All very good reasons to do self-maintenance, and if a dealership tries any of that "your warranty is in danger if you don't put nitrogen in your tires!" crap?
It's usually a good reason to leave the premises and dispatch a few very angry letters to the owner(s) and the OEM vowing not to patronize that shop or that brand ever again.

Merry Christmas!

 

Keep receipts and log the events on toyotaowners.com website

GT-I9505G ?

 

I keep a text file log, with each entry starting with date and km's. I also maintain a binder with all the receipts. On the front page I make notes, things like torque values, key tag no, etc.

If for example I'm doing an oil change, I'll purchase the filter cartridge, drain bolt washer and oil (Toyota 0W20) all at one time, at the Toyota dealership parts counter, so I have everything on one receipt. This isn't really a necessity, you can buy supplies wherever, whenever and from whomever (whew) you like, but just seems good corroboration, to me.

Here's a bit from my log file:

maintenance log:
----
November 19, 2010
km: 6
(@ Open Road Toyota - Port Moody)
*12 volt battery replaced
----
Friday, November 19, 2010
km: 300 (approx)
(@ XXXXXXXXXX)
*installed Michelin X-ice 195/65R15 with:
Corolla 15" black steel rims p/n: 42611-02471-sw (snows)
With lug nuts p/n: 90942-01007
----
Saturday, March 19, 2011
km: 5112
*took off snows and re-installed regular tires (in original positions)
====
Saturday, May 07, 2011
km: 7022
(6 mo or 8000 km service, date governed)
*changed oil and filter: 4.2 liters new of Toyota 0W20<use 4.0 next time
*inspected engine air filter: very clean
*checked coolant, brake and washer fluid levels: all ok
*checked tire pressures: 42 front, 40 rear
*lubed hinges/latches
*checked lights/signals, horn, wipers
====

 

The site won't even recognize my VIN numbers. Unfortunately, I live in the only state that this does not apply to.