Wife never learns her lesson.

How much are they going to charge for a new battery? I would want to know what test they performed to determine that a new 12V was needed, but it would not be that unusual for the regular lead-acid 12V (such as your Gen 4 has) to die after 5 years in the Florida heat. Has anyone ever checked the fluid levels in that battery? I found mine were low after 3 years of use, some time in Florida, but mostly in northern states (NY and WA).

 

Dealerships often have electronic load testers, pro-level ones that’ll give printout. Ask and maybe they’ll demo test the old one to verify condition. If the CCA is at or even slightly below spec, replacement IS due.

 

After being charged $239 by one Florida dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, far be it from me to defend any particular dealer with which I have had no experience. (I'm sure you have your reasons to be suspicious). If it was really needed, though, $200 for a new battery installed at the dealer does not seem to be that far out of line.

 

One $5.95 “unit” (very likely a pint) of brake fluid sounds pretty paltry for a brake fluid change. I use a couple of pints (aka one quart) when I DIY our 3rd gens, and I suspect I’m changing 60~80 percent, maybe. I’ve never found a spec for brake fluid capacity, either in owners manual (which DOES spec a lot of the fluid capacities) or the repair manual.

a full brake fluid change shouldn’t run much over $100 USD, and $160 for baste and fill of the reservoir is robbery.

just for giggles check the bleed bolt rubber caps: if they’re coated in undisturbed dust take some well lit pics to show to the service manager. If they’re cleaned and there’s various signs they’ve been in there, that should allay your suspicions somewhat.

if the caps are missing, that’s a sign they’ve been in there, well their knucklehead crew…

 

how many miles on her?

that's one of the better prices i've seen on a dealer installed oem 12v

 

$239 for an Oil change and Tire Rotation? what the actual ****? why?

 

because there's a difference between a "fluid change" and a "fluid Flush"

 

I had naively assumed the prices of these services would be similar across different dealers, so I took the car in for servicing at this dealership without asking what I would be charged. The first time I had actually had to pay for service on the Gen 4, I had taken it to the dealer in Bellingham, WA. At that time I was charged $94 for an oil change with full synthetic oil and tire rotation, possibly more than I would have paid at an independent shop, but I did want to patronize Toyota dealers if the price difference was not too great, in case I ever needed to ask for a "goodwill" warranty extension. After being charged the $239 from the dealer in Fort Myers, FL (I won't name them, but a quick internet search will tell you who they were), I swore I would never take the car back there. I have since had the oil changed in that car at City World Toyota in the Bronx, NY for a price of $64. I asked about a tire rotation there, and was quoted a price of around $50, I believe, but I chose not to have that done on this occasion. I should also mention that we have had work done at on our Gen 2 at that dealer in the Bronx for what seemed like a reasonable price and also at a Toyota dealer in Cranbrook, BC for a price that was similarly reasonable. So, in my experience the dealer in Fort Myers is a "one-off". Be warned.

 

It's a well/known/fact ......those Florida retirees got bucks to spend! .....

 

wow that's insane,...I would actually write a letter to Toyota Corporate about that dealer in Ft Meyers. what they did was completely unethical and you deserve a helluva reimbursement. there's no way in HELL I would've agreed to pay that much for a simple oil change and tire rotation....on a damn Prius....you got charged for a Ferrari! lol
I'm also curious why you used Full Synthetic rather than just Synthetic Blend which is much cheaper. Not the basic, but not the best...blend is fine I'm sure. That's what I use in my 2012 Sonata Limited.
Would you also kindly fill me in on what a "goodwill" warranty extension is? lol

 

that doesn't give them the right to "Price gouge" I'm sure Corporate would have something to say about this.

 

Hmmm - have you priced a Ferrari service? A $239 Ferrari service, besides impossible, would mean they did almost nothing.

Also - what service was referred to? They're all different prices depending on what is listed in the Service Manual. My last one, 80,000km, was $354.00.

TOYOTA Australia website lists my 90,000km coming up at 254.63, and 100,000km - $485.75 - but I'll have sold the car by then.

 

Interesting that Toyota specs prices for service; don’t think that happens in North America. Australian $’s?

 

Yep - we use $AU here.

 

See your exchange rate to USD is roughly .75. That’s typically per CDN $, except right now we’re around .81; maybe due to oil?