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EFI Service and Throttle Service? Rip off or real?

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by carlbarry, Nov 14, 2017.

  1. carlbarry

    carlbarry Member

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    2012 Prius
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    My 2012 Prius has 15,000 miles.
    I just took it in to the dealer for the annual State inspection.
    Just like last year, they told me there is "carbon build up" and I need the "EFI service" and "throttle service." Which luckily is on sale for "only" $199.
    Do I really need this, or is it just a rip off? Last year they also told me I needed new air filters, at an insane price.
    Thanks.
     
    #1 carlbarry, Nov 14, 2017
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I went 12 years and 288k miles without ever doing an EFI or throttle body service in my 2004 Prius. Dealer service writers are notorious for doing "upsales" for services that are not needed.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Nov 14, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2017
    Fred_H likes this.
  3. Fred_H

    Fred_H Misoversimplifier

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    Under normal conditions it is not necessary, otherwise Toyota would have listed it in your service booklet.

    "EFI service" = Pour one $10 bottle of Techron into the gas tank. - 1 minute.

    "throttle service" = Remove air filter, stuff a rag below the throttle plate, spray 1/4 of a $10 can of throttle body cleaner and rub a little, remove rag and reinstall air filter. - 5 minutes.

    And if they did nothing at all, it wouldn't make a difference.
     
    #3 Fred_H, Nov 14, 2017
    Andyprius1 likes this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Use a quality gas, the injectors should be fine. Throttle body: maybe in another 35K miles, clean it yourself. See @NutzAboutBolts video on throttle body cleaning, pinned in the 3rd gen maintenance sub-forum. The Prime is another car, but the principles are the same.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Nov 14, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2017
    NutzAboutBolts and Fred_H like this.
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