2014 Toyota Prius Maintenance

$299 is not a special, it's a service rip off.

All you need between 30k - 50k is 3 oil changes, possible air filter, and tire rotations. it's probably less a la carte than to get the $299 "special"

 

Either I do the work myself or I take it to a private mechanic. I would think if it's something really technical, I might bring it to the dealer.

Since the Prius mainly requires oil changes, I bring it to my mechanic and he does it for $10 when I give him the oil and filter. There's always specials on synthetic oil at walmart, usually around $25 for 5 quarts.

I would think the dealer would want around $80 to do a synthetic oil change......still cheaper than the $299 special for basically 3 services.

 

it depends on the establishment. I would say this is not a common practice for oil changes.

 

I take no sides. I can no longer do my own oil changes, so I take it to the dealer who threw in scheduled maintenance to 4 years/75,000 miles when I bought the car. They charge $50 for the oil/filter change and $85 if you want them to rotate the tires, check the brakes and top off all fluids. Now they want $109.95 for what they call their Blue Service which does all the above plus engine/cabin filters and more inspections. It seems like a ripoff to me because I doubt they barely even give things a cursory check, especially at the 307,000 mile point. The Prius is the first car I've not been able to do my own maintenance on, so, like you, I'm a little concerned about what needs to be done and by whom. I don't want to waste money, but I don't want to get caught (again) with a denied warranty claim (GM) because something wasn't documented properly. The new GM might have honored the claim, but I'll never know because I'm done with GM. Anyway, once my contract is up, I'll be looking for an independent mechanic, though I'll probably trade up in 2017 before that happens.

 

Regardless who and how you pay for it...your 2014 Prius Four...oil/filter every 5K, wheel assy rotate every 5K or sooner for cause, alignment check every 10K or sooner for cause, wheel assy balance every 10K or sooner for cause, transmission fluid every 30K, brake flush with clean and lube every 30K, coolant/s every 50K, engine and cabin air filters every 10K or as required depending on local conditions. Thorough inspections at each interval. Check tire pressures, fluid levels, lights and general walk around at each fill up. That's how I treat my Prius...and I am a Mechanic. YMMV.

 

i did it my self

-oil/filter change (every 10k with 0w-20 mobile 1)
-transmission fluid change (every 30k with toyota ATF-WS)
-Rotated tires
-Engine Air Filter
-Cabin Air Filter

maybe $80 max in parts sourced through Amazon.com....2 hrs with just simple hand tools

it wasn't hard. just have the right tools and it should be done with ease!

 

I got tires replaced not too long ago, so a rotation would be a waste as I look at 45k. Since the "service" is basically that plus looking at fluids, I didn't think it was worth a trip to the dealer. I suppose that I should document how I looked at my own fluids.

 

Oil change ever 5k seems a little overkill for syn oil... Toyota recommends every 10k or 6 months themselves.

I take my Prius to the dealer for oil changes every 10k (or about 2 months... yes I drive a LOT) and have them check the transmission/coolant fluid and alignment for free. Other then that a filters/rotations you shouldn't really need anything else until around 120k whien Toyota recommends spark plug changes.

 

That's how I take care of my 2010 Prius II and will with my 2015 Prius Four. Do what you want with yours.

My recommendation as a Mechanic stands.

 

best thing to do is add up their a la carte services, and see which comes out cheaper. is that oil and filter at 30, 40 and 50? that's about $200. right there. there's cabin and engine air filters at 30k, that's close to $100., then you've got tyre rotates every 5k.

 

Wheel Balance and Alignment are the "ONLY" routine maintenance items anyone should have to pay someone else to do on this car. You can even learn how to do the brakes here...if you choose. The cost goes up when you pay someone to do it for you. end of line.

 

Anyone? C'mon, not everyone has the equipment, space and/or the inclination to do full maintenance. Come back to Earth, lol.

There IS a middle ground, for example the cabin and engine filters: anyone CAN do that, save a few $'s, and maybe avoid unnecessary changes as well.

 

Tools, even the most basic needed to perform the preventative maintenance stated on a Prius, are a one time cheap investment used for years. Education, knowledge, experience last a lifetime...and can be passed on. With the small exceptions of those physically incapable of, those that have no place to perform basic maintenance or (fill in your reason), it's a choice. Choice of convenience, choice not to learn...whatever you call it...it's a choice to pay some one else's bills to do what you choose not to. That is the most "back on earth" you can get. This is not a judgement...just stating the facts. I could care less what someone does with "their" vehicles, but HybridSupreme asked.

 

I would add one that is that you aren't taking into account opportunity costs (I.E. what your time is worth). I can make MORE money working a bit extra then I would lose by paying someone to change the oil. If you include the time it takes to get prepped and cleaned up, getting/storing and disposing of said oil/filter, I would not be saving anything.

So just because something 'costs' more on the basic price, doesn't mean it is more expensive in the end.

 

I truly admire your perspective, and I assume you also do all of your own plumbing, electrical and construction work on your home. And probably throw in a bit of landscaping when the time permits. With a bit of education, anyone can install outlets, wire an addition, add a toilet, even a kitchen sink. Of course it's a choice. I do choose not to work on my car. I used to. Did tune-ups in the days when you needed a timing light and skilled hand to replace and gap the points, plugs, change the oil, yadda, yadda, yadda. Just decided I don't enjoy working on my car anymore and just as soon have someone else do it. And yeah, I do pay someone else's bills to do what I choose not to. By the same token there are many out there that pay my bills to do what they choose not to.
As I said, I admire your ability to be totally non-dependent on others. We should all be so fortunate to be as skilled, intelligent, and of course, motivated as you are. But, alas, that's not the case. End of line.

 

i drive my car till it brakes. which it never does. it's a toyota!

 

If your brakes don't work, you need to take it to somebody for a brake job!