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Surprised by the cost of the 90,000 mile maintenance

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jameslang, Sep 2, 2019.

  1. jameslang

    jameslang New Member

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    Thank you all for your suggestions and advice, much appreciated. (Should've stopped by PRIOR to getting squeezed by the dealer! Oh well, better late than never.) Didn't cross my mind that those are simple enough tasks that I can manage myself. In fact, I completely forgot about the warranty and maintenance guide.

    Toyota 101 in Redwood City and they had the car from 9am to 3pm.

    Does anyone know any reputable mechanic around San Mateo? :)

    My one-car garage is crowded, and I am not sure how safe it is to do some of the services on the driveway which is a little steep. I would like to start doing some of the stuffs, such as oil/oil filter change and tire rotation, by myself too. The only experience I have with working on automobile is only limited to oil/oil filter/coolant change and chain adjustment on my motorcycle, but I do those in my backyard.:)
     
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  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Looks silly, until you get your a** sued off like Toyota did for having unsecured mats preventing the "go" pedal from "un-going."
     
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  3. jameslang

    jameslang New Member

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    What can I do about the coolant conditioner? Should I flush the coolant?

    Thanks,
    James
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Driver's mat check is not in Toyota Canada's schedule.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    except that those weren't secured, they weren't oem, and there were 3 layers of mats
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I believe it is in the Gen 4 US schedule. The driver side mat is anchored to the floor.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gen 3 as well. funny how toyota is fixated on floor mats, but if your inverter dies on the highway, what's the big deal?
     
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    nope
     
  9. Greenteapri

    Greenteapri Active Member

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    That's why we are here, to help each other. :cool:Though, some are a hopeless cause. @bisco :ROFLMAO:
     
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  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    If you want to do your own work (with a little help from us), we do meet ups in the Bay Area:):

    Possible Monthly install meets. Bay Area-Fremont

    Drop a line there if interested;).

    Would avoid some fleecing next time (y).
     
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  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Bad press and a government that had a knee-jerk reaction to start inquiries based off it.
     
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  12. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Regardless, Toyota's lawyers decided to cover their butts.
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed. and then they missed the inverter issue, and guess who lost in court :ROFLMAO:
     
  14. Peter123

    Peter123 Active Member

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    It might be a good idea. There are 2 places to look for coolant in a Prius. The inverter has a separate coolant system.
    Try these @NutzAboutBolts videos:

     
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  15. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Read post #13
     
  16. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I’m sorry to say that this dealer ripped you off.

    Not only did they rip you off, they didn’t perform essential services, such as replacing the inverter and engine coolants. You’re also soon due for a spark plug change, and it would be an excellent idea to replace the transmission oil.

    Instead of replacing the coolants, they “installed” something called “coolant conditioner,” which Toyota doesn’t recommend. “Installing” this consists of unscrewing a plastic cap and pouring in some fluid. What a bunch of jerks.
     
  17. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If a repair shop, either dealer or independent, performs the job they said they would, for the price
    you agreed to pay, then they did not rip you off.
    It doesn't matter if you could have had it done for 1/2 the price somewhere else.
    Here in America you are free to shop around to find the best price and the best work.

    Nobody came into this world knowing how to repair their car. Someone either taught them, they read books
    and learned, or they watched youtube videos, or did trial and error to learn.
    Most people are capable of doing this. And yes, some are just physically unable too or lack the mechanical
    ability.

    It's sad that in today's times it is hard to find and honest repair shop. Or any profession for that matter.
    It's smart to do as much research as your can.
     
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  18. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    The ripoff was in doing a whole lot of things that were not required, even if the charges for those materials and the labor involved in "installing" them were not in themselves excessive.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if someone lies to you about what you need, and you accept out of ignorance, you're still being ripped off.
     
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  20. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    That is a load of bull.
    They are the DEALER. They are the factory-trained experts. You are supposed to trust them. This person trusted his Toyota dealer to properly maintain the vehicle to Toyota requirements. What’s more, there are Toyota prices for these services.

    That’s why this dealer packed in needless “services” such as “Install Fuel System Conditioner”, aka “pour a bottle of Tekron into the gas tank,” and bill it at the minimum unit of 30 minutes.

    In fact, if you look at the bill, it’s definitely a rip off. For example, they cleaned the MAF Sensor, which is a ten minute job. But they charged $20 for the MAF Cleaner. That’s outrageously expensive.

    The total labor was over $700 and this is what they did:
    Oil/filter change
    Brake fluid flush
    Cabin air filter
    Engine air filter
    Throttle body clean
    MAF clean
    Tire rotate
    Multipoint Inspection

    That’s a very high labor bill for that work! Had they done a proper maintenance, and replaced the spark plugs, transaxle fluid and both coolants... that would be decent, and the vehicle would now be properly maintained! Instead, they did unnecessary work (because it takes nearly no effort but sounds complicated).