Maintenance cost

I just finished reading up on our 2017 RX450H and in the warranty and services guide they have the following at 30 k mile servicing (and every 30 k miles):


Then at 60 k miles (and every 60 k miles there after):



I'll be following the "heavy loading" addition to this interval. So the Toyota family might be recognizing changing the fluids on some interval.

 

i don't understand why you keep insisting on a brake flush and fuel injector cleaning. please help me to.

i know you want someone to tell you about a dealer who works cheap, but i think you're being unrealistic.

 

Our 2010 doc's make no mention of brake fluid change, but by 2014 they were saying tri-yearly or 48K km's, whichever comes first. Not sure when the change came, I just happened to download the 2014 version. Note that Toyota Canada just puts out a schedule that encompasses all models, not just Prius:



Note too: the in-depth brake inspection interval is tightened up a little, compared to US, at 32K km's or 24 months. I'll attach pdf of this table page and accompanying "service" description. I like the format, it's a little easier to read than the US service-by-service descriptions, you can see the patterns.

 

What you have to do is outlined in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet that came with your car. There are a few extras that are certainly worthwhile, again, I'd recommend perdiodic brake fluid and transaxle fluid changes.

Being complacent, relying on dealership service departments to tell you what needs doing, is unfortunately a recipe for disaster. You will be overcharged, have unnecessary services, and very likely some severe neglect of other, more important items.

The dealerships really SHOULD be in your corner, be helpful, follow the Toyota recommended schedule, explain your options, not oversell, cheat, take advantage. But usually that's not the way it is. I've come across ONE diligent and on-the-level service manager, in all our years with cars. He didn't last long at that dealership.

I'd suggest you read through that aforementioned booklet, read and ask questions here, use google search and so on. Educate yourself.

 

why are you trusting a dealerships maintenance recommendations over toyota, while admitting their prices are a ripoff?

let me put it another way, what would they have to recommend, before you said to yourself, hmm, toyota isn't recommending this, maybe i need a second opinion?

 

I find it amazing just how "low maintenance" these cars are. That was the main selling point for me. I just read the factory maintenance schedule again for my 2016 Prius Three. The book that came with the car. And I am pretty much a "go by the book" man. Deviate from the book, and you better have a dozen very good reasons to do so. (I figure the Toyota engineers and designers of that car are a lot smarter than me!)

It says nothing about brake fluid changes. Says nothing about fuel injector service. Says nothing about transaxle fluid changes. Everything is just routine oil changes, tire rotations, and filter replacements. Until you get up to the high mileage… then it says:

At 100,000 miles or 10 years, replace the engine and inverter coolant.
At 120,000 miles or 12 years, replace the spark plugs.
(But I'll be dead by then! )

Now, I'm sure it probably won't hurt to go above and beyond the routine maintenance. And most service writers will GLADLY sell you extra stuff. But I'm sticking with the factory recommended service. I show my maintenance book to the service advisor, tell him exactly what I want, and he stamps and signs it. My dealer, Longo Toyota in Southern California, has never tried to upsell me or recommend any unnecessary service. Been going there for over 25 years. I don't know, maybe I've just been lucky. Never had a problem there. Not saying it's cheap, but occasionally they do have some service coupons online. Their prices are comparable with other dealers.

Remember, those service writers work on commission. There are plenty of dishonest ones out there. Some of those guys will sell you the Moon if they could. At other dealers, I've seen them take advantage of young ladies, elderly people, you name it.

 

Suggest you begin by watching the NutzAboutBolts maintenance videos we linked, and perform the tasks you're capable of yourself.

 

Again, Toyota Canada says 36 months or 48K km for brake fluid. Just cus their US counterpart hasn't woken up, doesn't mean you have to play along. Save yourself from a rust clogged mess down the road.

You missed brakes: US in-depth brake inspection is 36 month or 30K miles.

And the transaxle fluid being "lifetime" seems more a sales gimmick than an engineering decision.

Don't get too complacent: they're not miracle cars.

 

sorry, i live in boston, wish i could help. all the best!

 

You're in the wrong part of Cali, or else @Raytheeagle couldve helped you for free

 

I do have some of the highest labor rates around.

 

pizza and beer?

 

You can continue with Toyota Care service for $329.00 after the original 2 years run out. If you don't know where to bring the car, the dealer that has been servicing your car would be good for maintenance needs.

When it comes to repairs, it might be cheaper to bring it elsewhere. But maintenance cost....you won't be saving much unless you DIY

 

See post 15 in this thread.

 

Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat

I've followed all of these.
There's very little maintenance for you to do until about 80,000 miles:
Engine oil and filter (every 5K-10K mi)
Engine air filter (every 15K mi?)
Cabin air filter (every 15K mi?)
Brake caliper pin lubrication (once a year)
(Maybe) transaxle fluid change (at 30K, 90K, 120K)
I think that's it.

Around 80,000 miles, you pretty much do the rest, spread out over a year. That's the two coolants, the spark plugs (120K), the PCV valve, throttle body/intake manifold, etc.

 

Mendel, in your opinion, why are the Toyota factory maintenance recommendations different in other parts of the world? Also oil viscosity recommendations are different? Have these things gotten more consistent with the new Generation 4 Prius?

I do find it odd, that my Owner's Manual does not recommend at least ONE brake fluid flush, and not ONE transmission fluid change. Maybe the Gen 4 Prius really is a "miracle car." . (If not, I'm gonna trade it for a GMC YUKON XL!)

 

Mendel can answer, but I have an opinion as well.
First, Toyota has two US maintenance schedules. The more aggressive schedule is "Severe," and it pretty closely matches the Canadian schedule. As a whole, Canada is colder than the US, so I think Toyota Canada chose the "Severe" maintenance schedule as the standard schedule.

The CAFE standards in the US are more easily met with very lightweight motor oil, so in the US, Toyota recommends the 0W20 whereas they recommend heavier oils in the rest of the world. This leads many of us to assume that the 0W20 may deliver optimal fuel economy but perhaps not optimal engine life.