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Recommended Maintenance for a Used Prius v?

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by suomynona, Mar 24, 2020.

  1. suomynona

    suomynona New Member

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    I'm trying to compile a list of everything that is worth doing when buying a used Prius v. After scouring these forums, it seems like the following is what most people would do:

    1. Clean out carbon build up from the EGR, EGR Cooler, and EGR pipe following the NutzAboutBolts videos:
    and


    2. Replace the PCV valve since it can get gunked up easily following the NutzAboutBolts video:


    3. Purchase an Oil Catch Can, print out the bracket, and install it as danlatu states:

    Prius Oil Catch Can Bracket by Danlatu - Thingiverse
    Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat

    4. Use BG Products (EPR, MOA, and 44k) to help clean out the existing gunk

    And if all that is done (barring battery issues), the Prius v can live a long healthy life? Or do you feel like a Prius v will experience oil consumption issues or blow a head gasket after high mileage no matter what and not to get a Prius v if you want it to last a long time and many miles? Thanks for any thoughts or additional tips that may be useful for purchasing a used Prius v.
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    While not a v, our 2010 made it to 200k miles and consumed a quart of oil every 5k miles and didn't blow a head gasket:).

    What you have listed there is a good list ;).

    Just check the dipstick and top up as necessary and a Prius of any type will be a wise choice for transportation when you have somewhere to go(y).
     
  3. suomynona

    suomynona New Member

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    Thanks! I think you were the one who used BG products, is that correct? What's your current usage of their products and recommended schedule for them?
     
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I sold our 2010 in April of last year;).

    Haven't heard a peep about it, so that's probably a good sign:whistle:.

    But in our new Prime, I will be performing BG Products treatments I did on our 2010 at the next oil change at 30 k miles:).

    I'll begin tracking it on here, so we'll see the results(y).
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    @suomynona how many miles on it?

    Additional tips:

    1. Change the transaxle fluid.
    2. Inspect the brakes.
    3. Inspect the undercarriage for rust, missing/broken plastic bits.
     
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  6. suomynona

    suomynona New Member

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    Still looking around. Most I'm seeing are around the 100,000 to 150,000 mile mark. 130s and 140s seem to be the most prevalent around me.

     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you really have to buy a car, and see what known maintenance has been done
     
  8. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Don't buy one.
     
  9. suomynona

    suomynona New Member

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    I see that you own a 2013 Prius v. Have you had too many problems even after doing all the preventative maintenance?
     
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Some people only share their perspective and never let it go;).

    The v is a popular taxi vehicle, and there are plenty of them out and about:).

    We went to Spain in February, and guess what most of the taxis were there:whistle:?

    Sound advice is to do your research and prepare for what lies ahead. You've done that and have a good list of what's next;).

    Good lick with your hunt(y).
     
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I will mention there were changes starting in 2015 that improved front offset crash tests. My son has a 2015.
     
  12. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    The cars are a bad idea to purchase used. Some people think the car is great..... I don't blindly worship a car..... other people on here don't like me and I don't care. I tell people don't buy a used one........ Get a Non Hybrid used car you will have way less high dollar repairs and gas is cheap. Getting a use Gen 3 is like playing Russian Roulette..... Traction Battery, Head gaskets, brake system, 2 seperate water pumps, inverter failures by the thousands and totally screwy EGR system and all high dollar. I bought mine used....... lucky I have done my own repairs. I WOULD NOT DO IT AGAIN!!!!!!!
    Don't do it....
     
  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You do realize that any car as you put lunar mileage on it will have problems:whistle:.

    So how is this any different;).

    The Prius is a very reliable vehicle, and more so than what other automakers supply us with:cool:.

    So being on Prius Chat and being a contrarian just seems like you could spend your time with more productive options to spend your time:).

    But to each their own(y).
     
  14. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Block me......
     
  15. suomynona

    suomynona New Member

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    I actually appreciate the contrasting view points. I love to hear different people's experiences and not getting a siloed groupthink perspective. However, I think I'm aware of some of the issues you bring up and mitigate the risk by doing a thorough inspection.

    I use Dr. Prius (Full Battery Test and Life Expectancy Test), Hybrid Assistant/Hybrid Reporter (HV Check and test drive with it running and read the report after), and Torque Pro (scan for codes). I check the oil dipstick to make sure it's not low (I've seen people with low oil indicating the seller might not be aware they are burning through oil), and check the oil fill cap to make sure it's not milky (indicating coolant getting into the oil). I pay attention to the Internal Combustion Engine to see how rough it is when it takes over and listen for any ticks or anything that seem out of place. And do the usual tests for any car (look for rust, leaks, panel gaps, check underneath with a boroscope, etc.). If there's anything someone else can think of to do when checking out a car, I would love to hear tips on how to check things.

    Does anyone recommend anything one can do to check the brake system? I imagine that the regenerative braking system means it'll be different than just a regular car.
     
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  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Generally whenever you buy a used car, you are usually buying somebody else's problems. There had to be SOME reason they sold it. That applies to ANY used car purchase.

    My son sold his 2005 Prius after 10 years because he needed the larger Prius v and he knew it would eventually start developing problems as it wore out.
     
    #16 Prodigyplace, Mar 30, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2020
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Sometimes cars are sold/traded on a whim, but yeah, a lot of times that's true. For about a jillion such reasons I always buy new. Still got stung once or twice. One time our "new" car had apparently side-swiped a bollard at the docks. They'd done a quicky repaint of one side, and a garbage job at that.
     
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I hope you did not pay the new price for that one.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah we did. We traded in when we found this, and got a "somewhat" better trade-in value.

    The standard pre-printed sales agreement in BC has a line that says something to the effect of "this vehicle can have required 20% of it's suggested retail price in repairs before the seller has to disclose it".

    Food for thought: just because something is printed, does not make it mandatory. It's simply a pre-printed document, nothing more. You're free to (for example) cross out "20%" and revise to (say) $500, and have the salesman (and perhaps the sales manager) to sign off on it. They're free to refuse, you're free to walk, and so on.
     
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  20. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    @Tim Jones offers a valid data point. He's clearly had some issues with this vehicle.

    I'll offer and equally valid data point: my '13 V five is the same year as his. It has 171K miles, and I've had none of the problems he's had.

    I've cleaned my EGR once at about 100K miles, and it's due for another cleaning.

    One problem he doesn't mention, is oil burning. Not all of them do it, in fact the vast majority of them do not. But mine does... significantly. I'm working on a remedy. I'm halfway through the treatment and will report how it goes. So far it appears promising.
     
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