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

maintenance fee

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by csocsi, Jan 18, 2007.

  1. csocsi

    csocsi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    5
    0
    0
    :eek: I was stunned when I first went to the dealer and paid for the 5K maintenance for my 2005 Prius. Does anyone know why it is so expensive? The second time was more and so on.... Can I go somewhere else but the dealer and ask for the maintenance 20,000 miles? Could I trust anyone but the dealer?
    Thanks for any advice.
    Csocs
     
  2. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    How much did you pay? I paid about $45 for my 5,000 mile service.

    Tom
     
  3. csocsi

    csocsi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    5
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jan 18 2007, 11:04 PM) [snapback]377577[/snapback]</div>
    $136.00
     
  4. LongRun

    LongRun New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2006
    81
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csocs @ Jan 18 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]377578[/snapback]</div>

    What did they do? The manual calls for an oil change and a tire rotation.
     
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LongRun @ Jan 18 2007, 11:12 PM) [snapback]377580[/snapback]</div>
    That's what I had done for $45 - an oil change and tire rotation.

    Tom
     
  6. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2004
    4,147
    18
    0
    I'd ask them to wear a condom.
     
  7. csocsi

    csocsi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    5
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jan 18 2007, 11:16 PM) [snapback]377582[/snapback]</div>
    They did nothing else but the maintenance required in the handbook as I know. I checked online at a couple of messages and those were mentioning the same price I had to pay. So I did not felt I was cheated out of my money, but since then I was wondering if everyone pays the same in the US or may be it is just my area?

    I would really like to get some advice where to go to pay less.
    Otherwise I like my Prius very much.

    Csocs
     
  8. Prius07Pkg4

    Prius07Pkg4 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2006
    90
    1
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csocs @ Jan 18 2007, 08:06 PM) [snapback]377578[/snapback]</div>
    Is the service located in West Palo Alto, CA?? If yes, perhaps the rent/lease --> operating cost is very expensive, it's end up to the customer's pocket!! However, $136 is too much for oil change and tire rotation.

    Shop around is the key. For example at my area:

    -1 quarter of Trans Oil for Camry cost around $10.00 at Capitol Toyota in San Jose.
    -1 quarter of Trans Oil for Camry cost around $5.00 at Piercy Toyota in San Jose.

    99 out of 100 times parts at Capitol Toyota is more expensive than Piercy in the same town.

    :lol:
     
  9. csocsi

    csocsi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    5
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius07Pkg4 @ Jan 18 2007, 11:43 PM) [snapback]377592[/snapback]</div>
    Yes the service is in 690 San Antonio Rd, Toyota of Palo Alto.
    Well it looks like I should try one Toyota Dealer in Fremont, CA or in other cities close by.
    How about to go to Jiffy Lube or other oilchangher places? Would they have enough knowlege to do the oilchange and tire rotation?
     
  10. dmckinstry

    dmckinstry New Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2006
    1,034
    4
    0
    Location:
    Cheney, WA (Near Spokane)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csocs @ Jan 18 2007, 09:10 PM) [snapback]377600[/snapback]</div>
    Yes. Although you might caution them about not overfilling, and they probably won't know how to reset the maintenance light.

    Dave M.
     
  11. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2005
    1,407
    10
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csocs @ Jan 19 2007, 01:01 AM) [snapback]377575[/snapback]</div>
    The problem is that you asked for the 5K service. You should instead has for specific things such as "I want an oil change and a tire rotation".

    If you ask for the 5K, 10K, 15K, etc service, then they thrown in a whole bunch of stuff that you don't need so they can justify a higher price.

    Look in your service schedule booklet and know what is required before you go in. Don't just give them a blank check by saying "Give me the 10K service".
     
  12. klevitsky

    klevitsky Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2006
    34
    2
    0
    I just had my 5k service at Toyota Marin, in San Rafael, CA. I have the pre-paid maintenance plan from Troy through this site, so even though no money changed hands at Toyota Marin, the rate was $125 for the service and took over an hour. Ridiculous.
     
  13. Renocat

    Renocat Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2006
    363
    11
    0
    Location:
    Rochester, NY
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Marlin @ Jan 19 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]377681[/snapback]</div>
    I asked for the 5K service and got an oil change and tire rotatin for $52. Upstate NY
     
  14. Ari

    Ari New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    165
    0
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csocs @ Jan 18 2007, 11:01 PM) [snapback]377575[/snapback]</div>
    There are alternatives when it comes to oil changes and tire rotations:

    1) Go to another dealer as many have pointed out
    2) Go to an independent Toyota shop. (I _never_ go to the dealer for any brand of car I own. But I wouldn't go to Jiffy Lube either.)
    3) Do it yourself. If this doesn't sound good, try option 2).

    It's astonishing to me how many threads there are on this topic. One visit to a dealer will show you how much the job will cost even without getting anything done to the car. Just look at the colorful "recommended service" lists plastered on the walls of their garage!

    Prius maintenance is actually far less than most other cars since you probably won't have to get any kind of brake service for 100,000 miles (at least my rotors still look brand new after 5k miles - they still have the original milling marks.)
     
  15. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2005
    1,250
    7
    0
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Dealers sometimes have oil change coupons for $25 plus free 21 point check up. If I bring my own oil, they drop the price to $20.

    I have my tires rotated at a local tire shop for $10. Never ask for x K mile service. Like others said, those usually include stuff you don't need. Show them the maintenance booklet, and have them just perform whatever is on there.
     
  16. Prius07Pkg4

    Prius07Pkg4 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2006
    90
    1
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csocs @ Jan 18 2007, 09:10 PM) [snapback]377600[/snapback]</div>
    Let see if you have spare time and like to work on your car?? It will take about an hour for both Oil change and tire rotation for every 5K.

    1-Buy a Jack (if you don't want to take off from your car) and two Jack stands (this cost around $36.00 at Kragen).

    2-Buy a Oil Grain Valve from Fumoto part number F103 $27.00 (this will help you to change oil without using the wrench to unscrew Oil Plug Nut and big help if you over fill) http://fumotovalve.com/

    3-Disposal Gloves also can find at Kragen (like a Doctor).

    4-Buy genuine Toyota Oil Filter ($37 for 10 you can use 10 times or up to 50K). http://stores.ebay.com/SCION-WAREHOUSE-TOYOTA-MALL


    5-Buy 5W-30 Oil (case of 12 quart around $20.00). Use about 3.5 Quart each oil change.

    Over, all each oil change 5K cost you about $12.50 ($4 for oil filter + $8 for Oil + $0.50 Gloves). No waiting time at the dealer...No worry if they put the wrong oil, screw is not tight, oil over fill etc.. Everything is under your control.

    Each 5K maintenance, mark your tires before and double check tires location after maintenance, so you will know if YOU or someone did rotate your tires or NOT!!! :eek: (Forget to rotate the tires is easy job to do).

    Good luck.
     
  17. stomsf

    stomsf New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    50
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Ditto on the $139 (Dublin Toyota) 5K service. However, the full menu of services is as follows (not just an oil change and tire rotation):

    Change Oil and Filter
    Check Lights
    Lube Chassis
    Lube door hinges
    Replace Drain Plug Gasket
    Rotate Tires, set pressure, check wear
    Add oil supplement
    Inspect front and rear brakes
    adjust rear brakes
    check shock operation
    check flr fluid leaks
    check and top off all fluids
    inspect air filter
    check engine specs
    test coolant strength
    check exhaust system
    check wheel bearings
    road test for performance

    But due to shuttle issues and a hearty round of complaining, I got the price knocked down to $59. :D
     
  18. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stomsf @ Jan 19 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]377947[/snapback]</div>
    How much of this do you really need beyond the oil change and tire rotation? IMO none. Some of this is "nice". Some is crap. Ask the mechanic how he adjusts the brakes and where he lubes the chasis. Do yourself a favor. Check for leaks by looking for wet spots under the car. Buy a can of WD40 and spray the hinges yourself. At night turn on your lights and look at them. Have someone look at your brake lights while you depress the pedal. A number of the lights are fiber optic. They won't burn out. You'll know when you have a problem with a bearing. It will wail like a banshee. Why do you need an oil supplement? Others post here that you can go 10,000-13,000 miles before some oils should be changed.

    It is hard to believe anyone about scheduled maintenance because of the vested interests. I'll believe the technically inclined that post here before I'll believe the dealer (who needs to sell you something in his shop) or the manufacturer (who doesn't care how long your car lasts as long as it doesn't fail under warranty).

    The Prius has demonstrated that it needs less maintenance because there is less wear on the brakes and engine. For those kinds of prices the dealer should at least have the lot boy wash and wax the car.
     
  19. FishHawk

    FishHawk New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2006
    176
    2
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Jan 19 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]378085[/snapback]</div>
    All the stuff you listed like checking the brakes ect. this is included in a normal oil change. They top the fluids and lube the doors. Look they are looking for stuff to have you do so in a normal oil change they check it . It's what they call "What did you sell for maintenance ." Next time just ask for the oil change and tire rotation.
    I was told at the dealreship that all those special mileage inspections is just fluff to quote a service advisor.

    FishHawk
     
  20. csocsi

    csocsi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2007
    5
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stomsf @ Jan 19 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]377947[/snapback]</div>

    Well, lucky you! ;)
    I've never be that strong or persistent to convince them.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius07Pkg4 @ Jan 19 2007, 01:34 PM) [snapback]377815[/snapback]</div>

    Thanks for the great details and advice.
    I hope this will really help others, but unfortunately I'm not a "do it yourself" person. :(

    Thanks anyway :)
    Csocs