Dealer servicing rip off

good idea, dealers are getting greedy.
$42.? that's just the entry fee, if you want to go on a ride, bend over

 

Yep, decline everything that's not listed in the manual. Still, it will be an average of $110/hr for the labor cost alone. I have never had a dealer-serviced item for less than $100. After the free Toyota Care is over, I am not likely to take my car back to a dealer for regular maintenance items. DIY if I can without investing too much in my time, but most likely use a local shop for non-hybrid related issues.

 

if you carry shedding pets or the like, it's worth a peak at the cooling fan. that will give you a good idea for the future.
the filter is behind the intake grille in the back seat. easy enough to check and clean if necessary.
replacement is not likely needed

 

And with EVs coming with far less mechanical maintenance required, they will get even more greedy. Because on what are going to gouge the driver with now? Air filters of course!

PS: I had the same issue with my 3rd free services (the 18 months "check"). They came to me telling that the AC needed cleaning and the cabin filter to be replaced. Something around 150$. Nope. I just ordered a filter I will replace myself as per user's manual, BTW. Not giving you 50$ for a piece of paper. And BTW, is there a way to clean the HVAC vents and condenser by yourself?
When I lived in Germany I had the same issues with the dealer trying to upsell me stuff I didn't need. But not as aggressive as I see documented here and my limited experience so far. The mechanic there told me that all they do to clean the HVAC is to turn on the fan at full blast, and spray a can of stuff in the main inlet below the windshield. $150 for that? I don't think so and I can do it myself.

PS2: does anybody have experiences with other brands and dealers? what do Tesla, Hyundai/Kia, etc. do? trying to rip their customers as well?

 

The AC refresh is an anti-fungal and antibacterial spray. For it to be effective; the cabin filter must be removed. It's really a joke; because most mechanics don't bother removing the cabin filter - before spraying the stuff into the intake.
Again; this is a simple DIY maintenance. I simply turn-off my AC about 10 minutes from my destination and let the blower dry out my system. No smell and no need for an AC refresh.
I replace cabin & engine air filters every other oil change, and shake-out the battery cooling filters. Oddly enough; my cabin filter seems to always be dirtier than my engine air filter. Then again, I always have the cabin fan on low and it's a white filter - while the engine filter is yellowish.

 

Is there any spray one can buy and do it by yourself? The 10 min turn off AC is a good idea, but I always forget.
I had musty smell in all of my Priuses. No matter what.

 

Here's a link or if you're really cheap; you can just empty a can of Lysol disinfectant spray into the intake. Just don't forget to remove the cabin filter before this procedure; otherwise the filter will block most of the disinfectant.

 

^ I'd second this. And, just don't use AC slavishly. I do think it's Urban Myth, that regular AC use is mandatory for hybrid battery longevity.

Would be nice if the AC "evaporator" (the radiator in the dash that cools the incoming cabin air) was readily accessible, for cleaning or replacement...

Features like that aren't eye-catching in a sales brochure, but boy-oh-boy: if you need to access it, the front of the car ends up looking like a bomb went off.

 

I tried the Lysol method on a Honda Pilot and that covered up the smell for only a week before it returned. Then I purchased some stuff (believe it was called Klima Kill) which covers the evaporator coils with foam. That did the trick.
The Car Care Nut says the Toyota branded A/C cleaner is also very effective. I think that one is a two bottle method; one for the core and the other for the ducts.

 

Then start taking your Prius to them too. Dump the overpriced $tealer$hip$ except for warranty items and things your trusted independent can't do.