Looking for mechanic recs in Chicago. 2020 Prius Prime LE

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Shootingin8k, Oct 26, 2025 at 8:09 PM.

  1. Shootingin8k

    Shootingin8k New Member

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    Hi all,
    I’ve had a warranty since I bought my Prius Prime new in 2020 so all oil changes and services have been covered. That’s ending in a couple months and I’ve attached a photo of the recommended services from the dealership. These prices seem absurd. Which of these can I do myself? (Currently the only thing I’ve done is change the 12v battery myself) and what’s a reasonable price for these services?

    Please excuse any mistakes I’ve made in posting. I’m new to Prius chat.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ignore the dealer and follow the maintenance guide that came with your car. brake fluid might be a good one to add, and check or change the engine coolant. tranny fluid too.
    any decent mech can do these services, how many miles on her?
     
  3. Shootingin8k

    Shootingin8k New Member

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  4. Shootingin8k

    Shootingin8k New Member

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    ~60k miles!
     
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  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Do you have a friend of family member who likes to work on cars? If you do then we can work with them to walk them through any and all repairs. Or you could try a local mechanic, but now that mechanics are charging $150 an hour because the economy is so screwed up alternative car care options are becoming more essential.
     
  6. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Welcome;
    I'm a bit confused here. The workorder you posted stated that YOU requested those services be completed. The dealership service advisor didn't recommend those services be performed???????
    The hybrid fan service charge is way out of line!! IMHO
    How many miles on the car?
     
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  7. Shootingin8k

    Shootingin8k New Member

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    Yeah I was in for an oil change and these were the things they suggested on top of that. I denied all of them and left. It’s been a couple months since then.
     
  8. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    As far as a recommendation for an independent mechanic how about The Car Care Nut in Homer Glen? If you’re unfamiliar with him you can check out his YouTube videos.
    TCCN Automotive Inc
    15751 Annico Dr. Unit 3
    Homer Glen IL 60491
    United States

    TCCN Automotive

    Additionally, as far as what service you could perform yourself, the Hybrid Battery Fan service is ridiculously simple and is actually described in your Owners Manual page 546.
     
    #8 Doug McC, Oct 27, 2025 at 9:39 AM
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
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  9. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    By the way what is the BG Frigifresh service?
     
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  10. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    It's two air filter, above the forward rear wheel arch, just inside each rear door. I pop those filter out and shake them out every oil change. For close to $700, they should be removing the entire traction battery cooling assembly for a clean out - but I doubt that.
    BG is the product name, I think. They just spray a can of anti-fungal/air freshener into the AC cooling coils. If they remove the cabin filter to do that - I doubt it for $21.....:(:mad:o_O:rolleyes::whistle: Dealership mechanics are paid per task - like task rabbit. More task performed = more $; so extra large incentive to take short-cuts. I'm not saying all of them do that, but most of them do....
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    The text saying that, repeatedly, with each item, seems at odds with everything OP has said, and the top line of the work order.

    my hunch it’s boiler-plate text someone dreamed up, and totally incorrect.

    Funny how everything’s upper-case too, they all suffer from this syndrome lol.
     
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  12. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    In case someone drags the dealership into small claims court for not following the OEM maintenance recommendations and "padding" the bill.....:D:rolleyes::eek::LOL::ROFLMAO:(n):whistle:

    "I'm sorry your honor; the customer requested to be bent over the oil can." We aim to please.......
    Don't forget to rate our service 5-stars.......
     
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  13. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    Interesting: on my 2022 Prius XLE Nightshade Edition there is only one intake vent (with a removable, cleanable, filter) on the base of the rear seat just inside the passenger door. There are no vents where your Prime has them.
    Behind the removable vent grate is where the squirrel cage fan is located and is easily vacuumed out if it ever needs it (which it really shouldn’t if the filter is in place and maintained).
     
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  14. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    Yep! Every time I have had my car in for service the work order states I requested each item.
     
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  15. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Haven't rode in a nightshade edition, so I don't know. My old Prius C used to be a 2" hole directly behind the drivers seat. Had to be really careful placing groceries bags back there, to keep from obstructing the cooling air intake. I suppose that was the reason to move it higher and out of the way in the gen4; but being higher means pulling in theoretical warmer air, as heat rises... Who knows, it's an air cooled traction pack......
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the prime probably gets two intakes for the larger battery. that's what the pip had