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Lube Service Question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Aaron, Apr 4, 2008.

  1. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    I'm going to be changing my own oil, oil filter, and air/cabin filter on my new 2008 Prius.

    However, I'm going to the dealer for tire rotation and "lube". Now, when I think of lube, I think hitting the grease-points under the car with a lube grease gun. Does the Prius have these grease-points like normal cars? No one mentions it. How often should this be done?

    Anything else I should get done at the every 5000 mile service besides "lube" and tire rotation?
     
    #1 Aaron, Apr 4, 2008
  2. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    I haven't seen any zerk fittings [grease tits] in my travels
    underneath the car. All the balljoints and the like seem to
    be permanently sealed.
    .
    _H*
     
    #2 hobbit, Apr 4, 2008
  3. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    There are no grease fittings, but that will not stop a dealer from charging you the full price for his 5k miles service special.

    Everything that the car needs for normal service is stated in the scheduled maintenance guide (a separate document from the owner's manual). Use it, follow it, and save money.
     
    #3 richard schumacher, Apr 4, 2008
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    There's nothing to "lube"; save your money.

    Why not invest in a couple of jackstands and a hydraulic floor jack, and rotate the tires yourself? Think of this as part of your physical fitness program, and owning those items will make it much easier when you drain the engine oil and replace the oil filter.

    If you must pay for tire rotation, I suggest the initial rotation at 5K miles; then rotate at 10K mile intervals.
     
    #4 Patrick Wong, Apr 4, 2008
  5. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    Good advice. Thanks. This Prius just keeps getting better.:D

    But...will the dealer try to void my warranty when he finds out I haven't brought my Prius in every 5K miles?

    For example, when I hit 60K miles and want my PCV Valve replaced, won't the dealer see that I haven't been in before and try to say "By the way, you voided your warranty by not coming in here in the last 60K miles"

    FYI...I also bought the 100K Warranty for $980. Probably will never need it, but oh well.
     
    #5 Aaron, Apr 4, 2008
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    This is why you must keep receipts for the filters and oil that you purchase, as well as maintain a good record of what you do, when you do it, and the odometer reading.

    When you get to 60K miles maybe you'll decide you can replace the PCV valve yourself, hence no need to hear stories and lies from the dealer service staff.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Apr 4, 2008
  7. Aaron

    Aaron Member

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    Gotcha. Now I DO believe the Prius has the lowest ownership cost of any vehicle:cool:
     
    #7 Aaron, Apr 4, 2008
  8. Weinerneck

    Weinerneck New Member

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    FWIW

    We got the same warranty, 4 years/100,000. We also just replaced both front hub assemblies at 77,000 miles, $800 for both sides. Guess we're getting are money back.

    Bill
     
    #8 Weinerneck, Apr 4, 2008
  9. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    :rolleyes: grease tits, I like it!

    Nope, no zerks on my Prius either

    Oddly enough, my FJ also has no zerks on the balljoints or tie rod ends. You would think a vehicle intended for off road travel would be equipped with zerks on suspension components

    However, the u-joints on my FJ do have zerks. Planning on taking my grease gun and hitting those grease tits sometime this weekend
     
    #9 jayman, Apr 5, 2008
  10. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    remember to do it while naked
    .
    _H*
     
    #10 hobbit, Apr 5, 2008
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    #11 richard schumacher, Apr 5, 2008
  12. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    H

    I *always* do vehicle maintenance in the buff. Why else have a heated shop??

    :rolleyes:

    j
     
    #12 jayman, Apr 5, 2008
  13. Huntceet

    Huntceet Junior Member

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    You can put a dab of grease on the tie rods. Right next to the jamb nut on the tie rod threads. It will migrate into the tie rod end and make it nice for the guy who will adjust your front toe someday. Other than that I like to wipe a bit of grease on the parking brake cables where they enter housings.

    Hunt

    "Work like you don't need the money, love like you never had your belongings set on fire and dance like you're not wearing any pants."
     
    #13 Huntceet, Apr 5, 2008
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