Bad economy and dealership service.

I find dealers do try to sell as much as they can in the service department..far more than you need..and because of that, I look skeptical at the things I may 'really' need...they make all the other stuff sound so critical and important that it may be hard to find the real truth.

For example...on my 5,000 mile free first oil change...the service advisor came to me about 15 minutes after I entered the waiting room to recommend a wheel alignment for $$ cost. - I asked "Do you do 2 wheel or 4 wheel on the Prius?" His answer was "4 wheel." I asked "Did you find any problem with the tire wear or handling?" His answer was "No, we have not even looked at the car yet, but these Prius often have alignment problems and it is important you do an alignment soon after you get it."

I skipped the alignment and my tire wear is good so I am not worried about it. Also I learned here there is a TSB on alignments - something about the shipping of Prius - so if there was an alignment problem, they should have done it no charge.

I fear it will only get worse at the dealers.

 

Alignments can be covered under warranty for the first 8,000 miles.

 

Actually its 12 months or 20,000 miles for the Prius.

 

and alignments are pretty much the only job that pays better as a warranty job than as a customer out of pocket job...

 

Yes, there's an issue with alignments but if you're not experiencing any problems (pulling to one side or steering wheel off-center), I wouldn't worry about it.

And yes, you get one warranty-covered alignment in the first year.

 

they are hiking prices up around here for simple services.

I plan to sell my prius soon anyway, so I will just do the next few services on my own.

it's all very easy till much later in the cars life when you need to change plugs, intercooler fluids etc

 

Now is this an unlimited mileage thing, or something like 1 year or xxxxx miles.

If its a 1 year regardless of mileage thing, I'm gonna give the dealer a fit, long story. The car was purchased at the end of February 2008, but it has 21000 miles on it right now. By this time next year it will probably have 50,000 or more on it.

 

It's covered in TSB ST005-01. It's 1 year or 20K miles.

 

Does this qualify for 2008's? Mine was bought March 2008 and currently has 14,400 miles