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How much I spend on maintenance after buying a 120k used 2011 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by 5 Speed, Oct 3, 2017.

  1. 5 Speed

    5 Speed Member

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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So you want to buy a used Pruis. How much can you expect to spend on required maintaince within the first year with the expected previous wear on a 120k Prius? I was pleasantly surprised. I truly enjoy wrenching on my vehicles but in the past I have done primarily Toyota trucks ranging from simple oil changes to removing manual transmissions, replacing clutch plates to even removing and resurfacing the once head but what about a Prius.

    I purchased a used 2011 Prius one year ago with 120k miles and have since put 30k on it. I am the third owner so I don’t know the real history of the Prius except it has lived in Southern California since new and has been driven 120K. The carfax reported no accidents but it was stolen and found. I know it has had the front and rear bumper covers replaced but under them there isn't any structural damage because I removed them and looked. Here is the preventive and required maintance and my actual costs to keep it going and hopefully for a long time.

    While my original 12v battery was still working it was an additional "I don't want to worry" purchase. I also changed out the transmission fluid right when I purchased the vehicle and did it about 20k later because the original fluid was quite dirty. Everything was done by myself with the help of the amazing @NutzAboutBolts videos and a few inexpensive additional tools from harbor freight. Outside of the Mobil 1 oil I purchased and 4 cans of brake cleaner to clean the EGR system and intake my actual cost was $529.04 which I now have a quite reliable Prius. I would say that the most difficult thing was reinstalling the 12mm nut below the EGR cooler and the Prius brakes are the easiest vehicle I have ever worked on.

    Oil changes with Mobil 1 0-20W every 5-7k (does not burn oil), transmission fluid drain and refill (2x), engine and inverter coolant drain and refill, spark plugs replacement , intake and throttle body removal and cleaning, PVC valve replacement, EGR pipe and cooler removal and cleaning, front and rear pad replacement and pin lub. I replaced my original 12V battery with a new Yellow top Optima. My inverter even though it had the software updated failed and the dealer repaired it at no cost.

    $529.04 Total spent plus oil for oil changes

    166.99 Optima Batteries 9171-767 YellowTop
    44.27 TOYOTA FRONT BRAKE PADS 0446547070
    29.12 Rear Raybestos Brake EHT1354H
    9.80 AGS SIL GLYDE Brake Lubricant
    15.64 MANIFOLD GASKET 171770T020
    7.97 PCV VALVE 1220437010
    41.20 TOYOTA ATF WS Fluid 4 qts
    41.20 TOYOTA ATF WS Fluid 4 qts
    23.50 15620-37010 Toyota Oil Filter Housing Cap
    7.87 64.5mm Oil Filter Aluminum Cup Wrench 14 Flutes For Toyota
    45.47 2 Gallons Genuine Engine Coolant Antifreeze Pink Super Long Life
    40.00 OIL FILTERS Ten (10) 04152-YZZA6 Oil Filters w/ Drain Gaskets
    20.00 Genuine Toyota (17801-37021) Air Filter Element
    5.99 Cabin Air filter
    30.00 OEM 90919-01253 LASER IRIDIUM Spark PLUGs
     
    #1 5 Speed, Oct 3, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2017
    amos, mjoo, ckam1989 and 5 others like this.
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Your big worry should be your Traction battery, if it is original. They cost about $3000 from a dealer. Hybrid Automotive has a discharging & charging system that can extend the life of an older battery before it fails. @jeff652 here can provide the details.
     
    #2 Prodigyplace, Oct 3, 2017
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Nicely done. When you drained out the 2nd round ATF after draining the original, was it lighter in color than the original?
     
    #3 Grit, Oct 3, 2017
  4. 5 Speed

    5 Speed Member

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    The first drain was quite dark and the second drain was dark but not as dark as the first time. I am pretty sure that color isn't a true indication of the lifespan / properties of the fluid. The fluid didn't come out as clean the second time as I thought it would but it was lighter. I will continue to replace it every 30k.
     
    #4 5 Speed, Oct 3, 2017
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  5. Joshman

    Joshman Junior Member

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    IV
    Good to hear your report as I recently bought a 2014 with 150K. How did the plugs look at 120K? Also, I thought your pads might have lasted a little longer.

    This is true. Red dye is typically added to ATF as an identification marker. This type of fluid also turns black with age and doesn't really tell you anything about its properties as you mentioned. I've read through a lot of threads on PC where people are mistakenly happy they changed their ATF at like 30K miles (total waste IMO) because it was black. Is there any data to support such short change intervals such as 30K miles? I found a thread with ATF analysis, but it didn't have normative references. Curious to see ATF analysis that proves the factory recommendation is off by such a large magnitude.
     
    #5 Joshman, Oct 4, 2017
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  6. 5 Speed

    5 Speed Member

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    The plugs looked OK but with 120k on them changing was so easy I just did it. Vehicles are so gentle on plugs compared to older vehicles that I almost think changing them has more to do with the internal electrode than the outside. Both the front and rear pads needed changing. At least one pad at every wheel was warn down flat so that it no longer showed the center grove anymore. I am sure it is driving style that is the largest reason for brake wear. My 2000 Toyota Tundra went over 200k on the original pads and I know people that have had to replace them after 20k so since I didn't drive the first 120k on the vehicle someone liked to brake hard. Aside from the cost of the toyota front pads (I went with Raybestos in the rear) changing all 4 pads is probably the easiest brakes I have ever done on a vehicle. All four pins were quite dry and needed to be lubed too and I bet probably never done. The pads didn't wear exactly even but they weren't that out of proportion which is typical for one sided pistons.
     
    #6 5 Speed, Oct 4, 2017
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    That's a pretty safe bet. Brake maintenance seems to be universally neglected, by owners, and dealerships.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Oct 6, 2017
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  8. Mola

    Mola Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
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    I have a 2010, IV, got it with 127,+++ miles on it, now 140,+++. using oil about a quart every 4000-5000 miles. My expenses, some are vanity.

    I hope the PCV change further decrease the oil use. a quart to 7000 miles.

    Essentials

    $ 8 Changed PCV, ebay
    $140 front struts KYB, rockauto, both were shot
    $ 64 rear shocks Monroe $20 rebate rockauto, both seems still ok.
    $ 40 Spark plug rockauto, Have not changed yet if is oily and spoiled
    $170 Yellow Top Battery jegs, old Battery drained faster, have to jump start 2x due to 3 LED cabin light left on
    $ 7 water and oil separator for oil catch can mod harborfreight
    $ 12 hose and fittings lowes
    $ 12 intake manifold gasket rockauto, cleaned the intake manifold, need to change the gasket anyways.
    $ 24 strut bellows, rockauto, old bellows are crumbling
    -------------
    $477

    Vanity

    $400 17" Scion TS rims with tires, Craigslist, Happy with the rims. Gas mileage seems just the same even better than stock wheels, 205 50 R17 tires
    $ 12 Map DVD 2017 ebay
    $120 Husky Weather Beater mats
    --------
    $532

    Sh**, did not realize how much I already spent!!!! I really hope my oil usage improves, losing sleep over it. Just not use to a car using oil.
     
    #8 Mola, Mar 18, 2018
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I'm used to cars that use a little oil, a cup or three, about 1/2 way between oil changes, which were around 9000 kms apart, say 6000 miles. Our Hondas were always thus. When it starts to get serious? Maybe a quart or more every 2000 miles?
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Mar 18, 2018
  10. Mola

    Mola Junior Member

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    My previous 2 honda and 1 current, never experienced oil use. 1992 civic with erratic Oil change interval, 100,+++ km back in the Philippines, lost it on a wreck 2014.

    2008 civic, 215,000 miles, lost it on a wreck. Current 2012 civic 217,+++ miles, no oil use.
     
    #10 Mola, Mar 18, 2018
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Weird, I've never had one (apart from this Prius), that didn't use a little, typically around a pint top up required, somewhere mid-way to next oil change. That was all Hondas. With this zero consumption Prius, I'm kinda waiting for the "penny to drop", lol.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Mar 18, 2018
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  12. Mola

    Mola Junior Member

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    Just need to get used to it, never had a need to add oil before. now I am paranoid, and always a need to check the oil level every morning, which is supposed to be checked regularly anyways.
     
    #12 Mola, Mar 18, 2018
  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Once a week should be sufficient.
     
    #13 Prodigyplace, Mar 19, 2018
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  14. Mola

    Mola Junior Member

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    Thanks, i drive 200-250 miles a day. I am thinking every 4 days. I hoping replacing the pcv gives me less oil usage. Old pcv still rattles but definitely sounded dirrerent compared to the new one.
     
    #14 Mola, Mar 20, 2018
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    That's a lotta miles, @soldierguy territory. I'd be more concerned about my back and butt, lol. Yeah just monitor.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Mar 20, 2018
  16. Mola

    Mola Junior Member

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    Been doing it this for 7 years now .there was a point 1500 in a week. That was with the Civic. Just started using the Prius last week of November 2017, and put in 13,000 miles now.
     
    #16 Mola, Mar 20, 2018
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