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What services you need and what you don't

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by galaxee, Feb 22, 2007.

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  1. LRP114

    LRP114 Little Lou

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Independent shops are all over the place re: Prius. About a year ago, one shop said that they did not, nor would they be interested in how to service (oil, etc)a Prius, even after I told them that servicing a Prius was like any other car; and when there were lots of Prius' in town. In contrast to that, I searched the web for a reliable tire/alignment store, called them up and they offered me the best price. They did not blink when I arrived with the car. So who knows with them in general.

    Good luck in your search for shops which will service your Prius.

    Little Lou

     
    #121 LRP114, Jan 20, 2008
  2. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    ahh! questions are building up on us again :p

    probably because of the colder temps up there. just a guess. he's also willing to bet the sllc is a different concentration up there to protect better from the winter temps up by you.

    well... the colder temps in *most* of canada. you west coasters seem to have it a little warmer :D

    1. if nothing's happened yet after a few tanks, you're probably fine. a tablespoon of water isn't all that much. you can't actually get the fuel filter out- it's integrated with the tank assy. water can cause stalling in very bad cases, otherwise probably misfiring. sounds like you escaped major problems.

    the fuel rail is a pita to get to though, so keep a close eye on that in the future!

    2. eh, you wouldn't want to go there now. he doesn't fix cars professionally anymore, he's back in school for something that doesn't aggravate the chronic pain.

    the rotors will rust, certainly. they tend to do so more on the prius because the brakes are used so lightly. the caliper pins aren't of concern though, which can become a problem on other cars.

    if you're hearing a noise it's a good time to get em checked. having gone 100k is a pretty long interval, it's worth the money to have someone check em out now.

    your fob battery could be going. mine did that and we changed the battery. eventually we had the fob replaced under warranty. it still does it occasionally, but only at home. probably some interference somewhere near the house. in our case anyway.

    happy to be of service. :)

    plan on doing the pcv valve around 60k. i see the site's link format has changed... hmm. let me dig that one up.

    aha!
    http://priuschat.com/forums/care-maintenance-troubleshooting/16203-pcv-valve.html
     
    #122 galaxee, Jan 20, 2008
  3. dumas

    dumas Junior Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Any suggestions for those of us who do live in the area and might need a dealer's services some day?
     
    #123 dumas, Jan 20, 2008
  4. dumas

    dumas Junior Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    The only times I've had problems like this, it turned out I had my cell phone too close to the fob. After moving the phone to my other side, no more problems.
     
    #124 dumas, Jan 20, 2008
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Hmm.. but under the hood it says "Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. Change at 160,000km" (ok it doesn't say change but it did mention 160,000km).

    Yeah a LOT warmer.. like > 0°C kind of warm hahaha.

    So.. should I get it changed next time at 80,000km? Cause I know they'll be forcing it down my throat (lest I give up my warranty.. whatever's remaining.. the powertrain?? I think that'll be the closest).
     
    #125 Tideland Prius, Jan 20, 2008
  6. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    feel like driving to greensboro? the only other tech who can ever touch our car works there. (he was the other half of the Diag Dream Team.)
     
    #126 galaxee, Jan 20, 2008
  7. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    what's your warranty service book say? it's best to go by that for the warranty coverage.
     
    #127 galaxee, Jan 20, 2008
  8. LRP114

    LRP114 Little Lou

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Re: door unlocking/fop -- thanks Dumas and Galaxee, you are probably correct; intermittant failure to unlock is probably caused by either a weak battery or interference from something like a cellphone.

    This forum is REALLY helpful. Thanks everyone.

    Little Lou:D
     
    #128 LRP114, Jan 21, 2008
  9. LRP114

    LRP114 Little Lou

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Thanks again. Little Lou
     
    #129 LRP114, Jan 21, 2008
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    64,000 >.<.

    Bah I don't see the point of the SLLC then if it's changed at half its life.


    Thanks. I'll get it changed next time then.

    Edit: It seems like it has to be changed every 64,000km. I checked the 128,000km service interval and it said to change the coolant again (as well as the inverter coolant).
     
    #130 Tideland Prius, Jan 21, 2008
  11. twofer

    twofer New Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    I'm new to the site but have two Priuses. One is a 2005 with 60k miles and the other a 2007 with 5k miles. I bought both new and have had no problems. I have a good dealer who always asks if I want the full service or selected items. I will certainly use your suggestion next week when the 2005 goes in for it's 60k. Twofer
     
    #131 twofer, Feb 1, 2008
  12. cal-hartz

    cal-hartz New Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Hi: Has anyone out there changed the trans & differential fluid? Are they seperate or are they integrated? Thanks for the reply.
     
    #132 cal-hartz, Feb 15, 2008
  13. jtom888

    jtom888 New Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    They are one and the same.
     
    #133 jtom888, Feb 15, 2008
  14. whodat

    whodat Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    This is a great thread!

    I just dropped my 06 Prius at the dealer for the 55K prepaid maintenance and I asked what services I would need for 60K. The list the dealer gave me was:
    oil and filter (required)
    spark plug change depending on platiinum or iridium (good idea, not absolutely required)
    valve adjustment intake and exhaust (inspection and if necessary adjustment)

    Oil and filter change only is $39, and if I bring my own oil the dealer deducts approximately $6-7.

    From what I've read on the care, maintenance and troubleshooting forum except for the oil and filter change the above services are unnecessary at 60K. And the price for the oil and filter change seems high.

    Comments/Thoughts?

    Thanks
    Dave

    ps - the dealer is Toyota of Santa Cruz, CA. USA
     
    #134 whodat, Feb 23, 2008
  15. joe350gt

    joe350gt It's too windy here...

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Here's my dilemma. My '05 has 91K and I've had ZERO problems with it. I've replaced tires, the trans axle fluid at 60K, added a ScanGage II, K&N air filter, BT stiffening plate(best mod!!) and a rear bumper protector cover. As I'm bearing down on the 100K mark and the end of my extended warranty, I'm thinking about getting some things done now so if the dealership (Eddy's in Wichita, Ks.) screws up something when they do the maint. I'll still be covered and can get them to fix it for free. I'm thinking brake fluid flush/fill, transaxle fluid again, engine/invertor fluid, radiator flush/new coolant, brake check. I can do the pcv and a new cabin air filter myself. Again, I'm really leery of them touching anything as it runs like a top!!! I'm going to look at the coolant and see how it looks. I've had the car brand new on 10/28/05 and I do alot of highway driving. Not to mention a few trips to Ohio/Michigan and up to Yellowstone so it doesn't sit very long!!

    Any other things to add to the list chime in anybody!!

    Joe
     
    #135 joe350gt, Feb 25, 2008
  16. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Certainly the spark plug change is a waste and 60K early.
    From another thread by Galaxee, the valve inspection isn't necessary (and is somewhat involved) so skip it unless the valve cover is off for some other reason.

    There are a bunch of other inspections listed in the service manual. Brake pads, boots, differential oil, etc.

    Don't let them change the engine and cabin air filters "just because it is in the schedule". Look at them BEFORE you take the car in so you can see if they are dirty or not. They might have been changed at a different interval than standard based on your driving conditions. AND: If needed, change the cabin filter yourself, they will charge you $18 plus the filter for something that takes 3 minutes if you are slow. For some reason, the engine air filter installation is included in the price of the part even though it takes about the same amount of time.

    My stealership is so inept(low??) that a year ago I told them I needed new wipers and they THREW AWAY the articulated metal parts that were clearly perfectly good and put on new after market versions. I found this out in August when I ordered new rubber from the Parts dept and they DIDN'T FIT the passenger side. I have since learned to say "refills, only the rubber part, not the metal part" just to make sure they don't 'misunderstand' again.

    So: Be PERFECTLY CLEAR on EXACTLY what you want them to do so they DON'T do the "we always do ...." things that are unnecessary other than to make money for them.
     
    #136 bruceha_2000, Feb 26, 2008
  17. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Joe

    I think the brake fluid flush/fill is a great idea. This is something only a dealer can do though. The procedure is complex and a royal PITA. Please read the attached Adobe pdf

    jay
     
    #137 jayman, Mar 4, 2008
  18. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Hello Dave

    Running on California spec gasoline, the plugs are way too early. Running in Canada, where the gasoline contains MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl), that is a good plug interval

    I hope your Prius doesn't need valve adjust that soon. It's a very expensive procedure.

    Remember a lot of things on the dealership "wish list" don't even apply to the Prius. For example: "lube" the chassis (There isn't a zerk anywhere on the car), or change the "differential fluid" (Part of the cvt, uses the same WS fluid)

    jay
     
    #138 jayman, Mar 4, 2008
  19. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Whodat, Prius spark plugs are iridium, only. Regardless of the change interval you select, we don't want you downgrading to platinum.
     
    #139 tochatihu, Mar 7, 2008
  20. squarepusher101

    squarepusher101 New Member

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    Re: What services you need and what you don't

    Thanks for this info.

    How often do you recommend changing the oil and rotating tires?
     
    #140 squarepusher101, Mar 12, 2008
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