What do I really need to do to maintain my Prius?

Most of the above is recommended, but some if not all can be done by yourself if you're handy. I've cleaned my cooling fan and changed my own spark plugs, and I would say these are pretty easy tasks. I also intend on cleaning the intake manifold and change the trans fluid, but in my opinion these are probably a little harder to do. It's really up to you on what you want to spend either in time or money on keeping up on the maintenance for a longer life of the car. I'd also recommend watching the maintenance videos posted on here to see if you feel comfortable in doing any if these tasks yourself.

 

Congrats and welcome!

Start with the maintenance schedule in your manual. Add the tranny fluid, and research egr cleaning here.

Then contact a private hybrid shop like hybrid fix and stay away from the dealer except for warranty and recalls

 

1. Read:
Toyota 2011 Prius Warranty and Maintenance Guide


2. If after reading (1) above, you haven't reached the obvious conclusion that your dealership is taking advantage of you, then....

3. Throw your wallet onto the counter at the service desk and tell them to be gentle with you.


Good Luck.

 

In another 20,000 miles you should find some other mechanic or DIY spark plug replacement. $349 is way too high.
www.amazon.com/dp/B00MYO7HE2
As you see, $40 in parts. There is no way there is $300 in labor.

Hybrid Fan service is mostly going to depend on how clean your cabin has been. Pet hair is a very clogging environment. Again this will be all labor, there are no parts, so DIY is your friend, if you have shedding pets.

Every 100,000 miles is right for Transmission fluid changes, my dealership bills me $110, so this may be the least Highway robbery on your list. ($40 in parts, $70 in labor) Even if you use another mechanic, have them use Toyota ATF WS.

The Intake Air Filter is only mentioned for dusty environments, but if we assume yours in dirty, it is a $18 part if we buy genuine Toyota.

www.amazon.com/dp/B007OW62V8

This is an incredibly easy DIY on my Prius v (and Gen 2) I expect it is on Gen 3 as well.

I would not mess with throttle body cleaning unless I was having some driveability problems. More issues from cleaning than from not.

Alignment will depend on how the car has been driven, it is not a time or mileage issue.

Los Angeles is a big place, but consider Sniper Alignment & Auto Service - 53 Reviews - Gas Stations - 5510 W Pico Blvd, Mid-City, Los Angeles, CA - Phone Number - Yelp

 

Yeah it's mentioned once above, the plugs are scheduled to be changed at 120K (or 12 years), not 100.

And as @bisco says: read the schedule that Toyota provided. There's a few things Toyo USA could add in my opinion: the transaxle fluid and brake fluid both could use periodic change, and there's a few others, if you read here you'll catch on.

Watch all of @NutzAboutBolts videos, pinned in maintenance forum.

And so many things are DIY'able.

 

I do not spend much time in dealerships but have noticed one glaring problem. When they have more than 10 service reps with all these awards and waiting for customers to collect their vehicle after paying $$$. I can only conclude that the racket in cars is the service department as well as the sales floor.

 

Spark Plug Replacement ($349)
No, change at 120,000.

Hybrid Fan Service Cleaning ($295)
No, only if CEL codes are present indicating to clean.

Transmission fluid change ($189)
If there are no previous records of drain & refill from the last 30,000 mi then Yes.

Intake Airfilter Throttlebody ($149)
Air filter- Most likely not. A bit dirty is okay but fully clogged must be changed.***
Throttle body- Most likely not if car is in "great condition" as stated.

Alignment ($89)
If your car pulls to either direction when steering wheel is straight, Yes.
If the left or right front tire wears out quicker than the other tire, Yes.


*** Random fact- Mendel Leisk is still on the original intake air filter when car was purchased new.

 

I would DIY this one, 2~3 years in, wouldn't wait for warning lights. Once you've checked it once, you'll have some idea of how often (if ever) it needs to be done in future.

Too much though, I wouldn't pay over $100, it's comparable in cost and complexity to an oil change. You cannot do a first transaxle fluid change too early. I'd recommend a first change around 10K miles, and then stretch the interval, something like 30K, 90K, 180K.

Regarding the engine air filter: to be fair, our car only has 78K kms, and the odometer ticks up pretty glacially these days. But again, DIY this, don't pay someone; it's very easy, and check the filter's condition, only replace when warranted.