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Need 120k routine maintenance but don't want to get ripped off, help?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by cmcclure100, Aug 20, 2014.

  1. cmcclure100

    cmcclure100 New Member

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    I have a 2005 Prius with about 140k mileage. I got the car with 60k on it and have basically been poor ever since, so I haven't done much routine maintenance, mostly just minor things. I'm finally in a spot that I can get some work done and I want to get the car alive as long as possible. I'm really out of my depth here, but basically I'm wanting to know what maintenance is more important sooner to keep my car alive longer. Basically the only thing I can think of is the 120k routine maintenance, but the local dealership seems a bit high, and it looks like the maintenance mostly just inspects things so they can try to sell me more things.

    Any advice, maybe on what actually needs to be done around 140k miles and what doesn't?
     
    #1 cmcclure100, Aug 20, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you are short on money you can do what's most important first.

    1. Coolant change
    2. Belt change (check water pump)
    3. Transaxle fluid change
    4. Air filters, throttle body cleaning.

    These can wait, should be monitored
    5. Spark Plugs (should be done at 120k but most still look really good at that mileage)
    6. Brake fluid change
    7. PCV valve change
    8. Check 12v battery health
    9. Check your brakes
     
    #2 JC91006, Aug 20, 2014
  3. cmcclure100

    cmcclure100 New Member

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    Cool that's kinda exactly what I wanted, thanks! Should I just call up a dealership and be like "How much is it for" and ask about each one. I know some autoshops don't like to work on Prii, are these items that I could feel safe getting a non-dealership place to look into it?

     
    #3 cmcclure100, Aug 20, 2014
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    How frequently your Brake fluid needs replacement depends on your location, which you failed to list in your Profile, but is vital for almost any Prius question.

    You should have no fear of doing all of the routine maintenance at a non dealer, just document that you did so. If you car was newer, I would let the dealer look for recalls and TSBs but they should all be old news on a 2005.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Aug 20, 2014
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    OP,
    This forum has excellent tutorials how to perform basic maintenance yourself. It is easy and MUCH less expensive than a dealership.
     
    #5 SageBrush, Aug 20, 2014
  6. cmcclure100

    cmcclure100 New Member

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    II
    I didn't know location was so important. It's Huntsville, AL. I updated my info, lol.

    I work during the sunlit hours usually 6 days a week, and kinda needed the maintenance done sooner rather than later, but thanks for the suggestion about DIY. I'll look into that.
     
    #6 cmcclure100, Aug 20, 2014
  7. cmcclure100

    cmcclure100 New Member

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    Would somewhere as simple as Express Oil and Autocare or another shop like that be able to take care of those things, or should I try to find a dedicated toyota mechanic? I'm know I'm asking a lot of probably dumb questions but my resources are very limited so I need to be careful and know one I know has any knowledge of Prii, and very limited knowledge of cars in general.
     
    #7 cmcclure100, Aug 20, 2014
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd be inclined to put the brake inspection on the must-do list, even ahead of brake fluid replacement (also important, just not as pressing).
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 20, 2014
  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #9 JimboPalmer, Aug 20, 2014
  10. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    YouTube has videos for just about anything you are considering, and watching them will give you confidence.

    What maintenance was done before you took ownership ?
     
    #10 SageBrush, Aug 20, 2014
  11. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    welcome to the internet, where thousands of people will help you if you make the effort to help yourself.
     
    #11 SageBrush, Aug 20, 2014
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