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Is the 30,000 mile service necessary?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Jeffrey Caballero, Nov 25, 2009.

  1. Jeffrey Caballero

    Jeffrey Caballero New Member

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    I have 2008 Gen 2 Prius, and it's up for the 30,000 check-up. Is it worth it? I want to care for the car, but I don't want to waste money. They say it costs $449, plus tax in suburbs of NYC. I did the 15,000 check-up, but am wondering if these aren't scams for the car dealer to make bucks. Thoughts?
     
  2. orange4boy

    orange4boy Member

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    What are they going to do for that kind of money?
     
  3. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    At 30,000 miles this is all you need to do and it should not cost anywhere near what the dealer is quoting you. In fact you can change the cabin and air filters yourself in 5 minutes.
    Toyota Parts and Service
     
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  4. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I'm going in for my 30,000 miles soon. My car is lowered so rattles a lot. I imagine over time my bolts get loosened from all the shaking.

    Should I ask the dealer to "Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis"? How much will this run me, or should I ask someone else to do this? Thanks.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Look in your documentation, see what Toyota says to do. If the dealership has not spelled out what they plan to do, ask them to do so. Compare the two. If there are differences, ask why. Bottom line: you really only need to follow Toyota's requirements. If there's a big contrast between Toyota and dealer, discuss with them. If they're not responsive, try another dealership, and/or discuss with Toyota directly.
     
  6. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I've read about their sales tactics on this forum ad nauseum, so I'm well aware of what I need and don't need. What I'd like to know is, are they allowed to refuse to perform my oil change when I gleefully decline their 30,000 mile service?

    Well I was going to go in there saying "Just give me the oil change please." I can change the engine air filter and cabin air filter myself. I also get free tire rotations from Firestone and lifetime alignments. Oh yeah, and I have a free Oil Change coupon from the dealership. LOL. Yup, I plan to spend about $25 on my 30,000 mile service. (for the 2 filters from Amazon). WOOT!

    Thanks.
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes. The charge will probably be one labor hour.

    Nothing wrong with that. Oil change for free, and a nominal labor charge to check the tightness of the suspension components.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No.

    It shouldn't be too difficult: outline Toyota's requirements, and what you plan to do yourself. If they really give you the gears, for trying to stick to the schedule (and a bit of DIY) complain to the service manager. Maybe also let the dealership manager no the service department is driving away business, and so on. And talk to Toyota.

    You know, I think I'm winding up, LOL. Depending on the people working there, they may well meet you halfway ;)
     
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  9. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    If you plan to keep your car for 100,000+ miles, 30,000 is a good time to do your first transaxle fluid change, for $100+/-. Thanks to jdenenberg for coming up with the 30/90/150/... ATF change recommendation. Maybe your service advisor will combine into a single hour the labor for that into the labor for torquing the body bolts. It never hurts to ask.
     
  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Is this really true? I mean I'm sure the dealer will try to upsell me on this, but I really need this done now if I want to keep the car long term?
     
  11. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    If you just ask the dealer for the oil and filter change and then buy the two filters yourself (keep the receipts), they will do all the other inspections, anyway. They will try to find more work to do and the "inspections" are the way they do this. Ask for it and pay for it, or don't ask for it and get it for free!
     
  12. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Ok, I understand that. :) But regarding the comment about transaxle fluid: how true is it that I need that replaced now? I understand it's just a matter of preventative maintenance, but since it's not in the book, is that something they'll inspect for me?
     
  13. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    I doubt the dealer will try to upsell you on this, since it is a "lifetime" fill.

    How true is it? I would say it is best practice to change it earlier rather than later. Opinions vary on the mileage for the first change. A good discussion of transaxle fluid changing can be found at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...bleshooting/38524-transaxle-oil-analysis.html
     
  14. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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  15. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    ^^
    I am a fan of cheap self-insurance and I want the car to last 400k miles, so I DIY exchange about every 60k miles. To your point, while I think you are correct that the larger majority of all Prius owners do not exchange ATF earlier than the Toyota recc, that is not the case for the sub-group of owners with exceptional Prius expertise. A short list that immediately comes to mind includes Bob Wilson, Pat Wong, and Hobbit.
     
  17. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Yeah those guys are pros. They are the hardcore Pre-Maint. guys and DIYers. I like to consider myself somewhere in between them and the completely negligent.
     
  18. ystasino

    ystasino Active Member

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    I changed mine at 42k, every used oil analysis I saw on this site suggested it would be a good idea. Make sure they use ~3.8 quarts of ATF-WS fluid. I drive 15 miles out of Baltimore to find an honest dealer and they charged me $84 for this.

    Also make sure your dealer does not overfill the engine oil. The way I achieve this was to give them only 4x1 qt bottles of my own oil. They also took some chalk and wrote 4 qts synthetic on the black air filter.

    Other than that, an air filter change and a parking brake adjustment I don't remember doing anything more.
     
  19. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Yeah they always overfill mine but I always forget to remind them not to, so I end up going back to the dealership. But you give them 4 quarts? I thought the issue was that the Prius needs less than 4 quarts. (from everything I read, 3.5 quarts is ideal)

    Anyways, my plan of attack is to ask them not to overfill the oil. I'll ask for 3.5 quarts exactly. Although I'm not sure how they'll achieve this since I think the oil is pumped in a tube from the ceiling. After I get the car back I'll check it myself before I drive away. If it's not right, I'll tell them and expect them to drain some. Hey, I warned them.
     
  20. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    Mac,

    To get the right level of oil fill, bring your own (synthetic?) 3 and a half bottles of oil.

    We just change our own.
     
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