Very low mileage. To service or not to service?

Yes. Possible.

The recommendation likely is an oil change once a year regardless of mileage.
If so, you are about 10 months PAST DUE already.

And as for the virus thing.......you should be able to take it in and have little or no close human contact in the process.
It is the close human contact that is the problem.
Just the fact that you are going out of your house is NOT a problem.

 

Have you got a charger for the 12 volt battery? Look for one that's "smart", ie: assesses the battery, goes through a charging regimen, rated 5 amps max, and can be left on indefinitely. That's assuming you're parked securely, have a 120 volt outlet.

A second car, clocking 4K miles iin 2 years? Maybe sell it?

 

Get the oil change, the inside of engine has metal shavings and the first oil is the worst.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

You sure about that?

We like data and credible sources.

I changed the oil in our 2019 Prime at 4K miles and there were no metallic parts found.

Same with the trans fluid, as I did both at the same time.

 

To repeat:
The "Covid thing" should NOT prevent you from servicing your car......IF the shop is open.
YOu should be able to do that with little or NO human contact.

 

i would take a pass. there's nothing more important than your life. and nothing important, even if you follow the time schedule instead of miles.

 

And what if this continues to be rampant for another 6 months.....or a year.....or two years ??

And what about other dangers to your life ?

Guns are proliferating like wild fire.
Are you going to stay home because you might get hit with a stray bullet if you venture out ??

If you are CAREFUL and follow what the health car professionals are saying, you are about as likely to be injured in a car crash.

Common sense is not so common after all, it seems.

 

I know I sure don't want to get this virus. But I know I almost certainly will, as will nearly everyone on the planet. Just like any kind of flu. This unreasoning fear that has paralyzed us is just amazing and I think it's the result of years of having it beat into our brains that the main goal in life is to be safe and happy.

You're in way greater danger of getting in an accident (or shot, if you're actually in Chicago) than getting COVID by getting your car serviced. If you're concerned, wipe down the surfaces with disinfectant before you drive home in the unlikely case that the tech was working sick, the sickness was COVID, and he sneezed or coughed while in the car. AFAIK, I have never gotten a cold or anything else from having a car serviced. But wiping it down might be smart, COVID or no COVID. And a lot of dealer service departments will come get your car and bring it back to you, so you don't even have to walk into their nasty building that's teeming with viruses.

Even staying inside has risk to it. Most heart attacks happen in the morning, so just getting out of bed has some risk to it.

 

with age and underlying conditions, my primary care advises to shelter in place, not go out to get a car serviced that has nothing wrong with it.

 

Nice new avatar.

Been working on those while sheltering?

If so, a good hobby .

 

drone was getting boring. this thing is a challenge, but it doesn't handle any wind. one gust, and it's off to europe. i try to keep it low and in between the trees. definitely takes skill.

 

We've had my sons drone out a bit recently.

But it is a small, inexpensive one and is similar in winds.

Where we live in the Bay Area, those winds are somewhat constant.

But it is a good time when we have the opportunity.

 

If you did oil and lube at 12mo and now due for the second oil and lube and if you are afraid of going to the dealer due to virus concern, why not DIY at the comfort of your own home? You can order oil and filter online, or ask someone to pick them up locally. If you don't have a jack, you can improvise a ramp with a piece of 2x8. I would not worry about other things on a 2year service which is basically tire rotation and visual inspections.

 

Based on wrenching on all kinds of vehicles and machines for about 50 years:
There is nothing "comfortable" about changing your own oil. It usually ends up being a big MESS.
AND....improvising any kind of ramp with wood IS NOT A SAFE THING TO DO.

Overall bad advice for most people.

 

I was able to take ours in with indeed very little direct contact, but I bet you could arrange to hand the car over outside the dealership, then hang out outdoors.

Oils do gradually degrade some, via oxidation, just sitting around. It is pretty gradual for the most part , though.

 

Ask your service advisor what protocols they have in place.
Let them know you are high risk and concerned.

My Toyota dealership was advertising that they were taking very special precautions and having
least amount of contact with the interior of car, low or even no contact with customer,
and where also disinfecting interior of car a couple of months ago.
I dont see that advertising/notice anymore for some reason tho.

 

Same here. The notices are no longer on the website. (But they have been mailing me coupons for $10 oil changes with synthetic & filter. )