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

Blue service?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by phoenixgreg, Oct 18, 2015.

  1. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    288
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I've been dodging my Service advisor's recommendation for "Blue Service" which looks to me like a ripoff. For about $239, all they do is the oil change & filter, rotate tires and reset any maintenence reminders. Then they inspect but not fix the following:

    Inspect the following: Ball joints and dust covers, Differential fluid, Drive shaft boots, Engine coolant, Exhaust pipes and mountings, Fuel lines and connections, Fuel tank band and vapor vent system hoses, Fuel tank cap gasket, Radiator core and condense, Steering gear box, Steering linkage and boots and transmission fluid.​

    So do I just bite the bullet next time and let them do or is there a way out of this so as to keep a good relationship with the dealer (they have been very good to me so far)?
     
    #1 phoenixgreg, Oct 18, 2015
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,674
    38,219
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Funny thing is, there's a lot of inspections stipulations in the Maintenance Guide, which likely never get done. And really, unless the car's in an accident, virtually all of this checking is pointless. Not to mention near impossible to execute: there is no practical guideline to these inspections in the Repair Manual.

    Looking at your list, it seems to be a "boiler plate" mailer, just trying to drum up business. Note "differential fluid", AFAIK that's for 4 wheel drive vehicles only. And there's really no point to "inspecting" the transmission (aka "transaxle"). A periodic change is good though.

    I'd politely decline.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Oct 18, 2015
  3. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    May 12, 2011
    645
    223
    0
    Location:
    Nature coast, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    Just tell them you are not interested and would like to follow the manual for service. Also, most dealers will do an inspection on the vehicle, at the time of service, no charge.
     
    #3 Eclipse1701d, Oct 18, 2015
  4. VicVinegar

    VicVinegar Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2013
    261
    47
    0
    Location:
    Northern Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Seems expensive either way.
     
    #4 VicVinegar, Oct 22, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,703
    48,947
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    bogus. how many miles on her? how much is the red service?:p
     
    #5 bisco, Oct 22, 2015
    CR94 likes this.
  6. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    I'd tell them it's not a diesel and doesn't need the "blue stuff". Just to let them know how stupid they really are.
     
    #6 David Beale, Oct 23, 2015
  7. phoenixgreg

    phoenixgreg Senior member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    1,157
    288
    66
    Location:
    Phoenix
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for everyone's feedback. My dealership is fairly reputable and my belief is they will do the essential hybrid system checks anytime I bring it in for normal service. I now believe that the "green" and "blue" services are hype to drive up service sales and will I politely decline these going forward.
     
    #7 phoenixgreg, Oct 23, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)