Discount on Labor For Axle Seal Repair and Transaxle Fluid Change At The Same Time?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by The Critic, Apr 16, 2011.

  1. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,325
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yesterday, I took my friend's 2006 Prius w/85k to the local Toyota dealer for scheduled maintenance. On the agenda for this visit was an oil change, vehicle inspection, clean/adjust of rear drum brakes and a transmission fluid drain and refill. During the inspection, they found a LF axle seal leak.

    The Toyota CPO warranty is covering the axle seal repair after the $50 deductible. For the repair, the warranty is covering the labor, axle seal, axle nut, cotter pin, and 1 quart of WS transmission fluid for top-off. According to Toyota, it is not necessary to drain the fluid in order to replace the axle seal. Therefore, in their opinion the requested transmission service is an entirely separate operation and there is no crossover on the labor time.

    Having replaced an axle seal before, it is true in most cases that the transmission fluid does not need to be drained in order to remove the axle. However, I would have expected that since the tech needs to remove the fill plug in order to check the fluid level, they would not charge me labor to drain the fluid (one drain plug!) while they are doing the job. Am I expecting too much? Or is this just how the system works in that they can get away with charging for the 1/2 hr labor to complete the transmission service.

    What do you guys think?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 The Critic, Apr 16, 2011
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,515
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    The only thing that would be unreasonable is if your friend got charged for 4 quarts of ATFWS instead of 3. Techs generally make less on warranty work. If your friend had been paying out of pocket for the seal replacement, then they might have worked out a lower rate for the fluid change. Looking for a break on a 1/2 hour labor charge in combination with warranty work??? You are expecting too much.

    EDIT: I saw in your other thread,

    2) Drain and Refill Transmission Fluid-- $90 ($52.50 labor + fluid)

    $90 is quite possibly the cheapest rate anywhere for a dealership-performed drain and fill.
     
    #2 seilerts, Apr 16, 2011
  3. BAllanJ

    BAllanJ Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    667
    78
    0
    Location:
    Kingston Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    I got $91 canadian, and our prices are usually higher than in the us... they still set prices like the can$ was worth 65cents instead of like the 103 cents it now is.
     
    #3 BAllanJ, Apr 16, 2011
  4. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,325
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    You are correct in that $90 is among the lowest prices for a trans service, but the amount of work required for this job is not much different than an oil change and takes 15-20 minutes. They are really taking advantage of the uniqueness of the Prius to justify the high pricing.

    The advisor did see what I was talking about and decided to discount the labor charge on the transmission service by $25, which dropped it from $62.50 to $37.50. They also discounted the cost of the fluid to about $6.75/qt, which is significantly less than what they normally charge. Since I was only charged for 3 qt of fluid, the total cost of the transmission service was about $58.
     
    #4 The Critic, Apr 17, 2011
    Neil Dailey likes this.
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,489
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sounds like the service advisor offered a very fair resolution to your concern.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Apr 17, 2011
    Neil Dailey likes this.
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    3,326
    1,515
    38
    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Wow, you have very effective skills. You do realize that you screwed the tech, though?
     
    #6 seilerts, Apr 17, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)