What services you need and what you don't

Re: What services you need and what you don't

What's the matter? Do you have something against yttrium alloys? The added benefits of a Bosch platinum/yttrium alloy ground makes sense to me. The Toyota plugs alloy nickle/platinum/iridium in the ground as an added benefit that strengthens the structure. Yttrium adds to the electronics of the spark.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

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Hello:
Thanks for the tips. I like the parts about techs causing more grief. So true. I have a 2006 Prius w/ pkg 7. I do my own oil/filters using Mobil 1 5W-30 and Fram engine oil filter. One item. I've looked for the PCV valve but have not found it. Where is it? A pix would be great.
-Keep up the good work.
-I'd considered going for a new 2010, but my '06 is running fine, so I'll keep it. Last tank was 51.4 mpg on Mobil regular.

 

'07 prius due for 60 K service soon.. any big ticket maintenance suggested at this time? I have only done the standard oil change, and some brake cleaning etc at the Toyota dealership. Thanks!

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Galaxee,
I was a customer at Mark Jakobsen for 2 years and have always been glad for your input here. Just went to my new dealer since I moved and they recommended three services...about $200 worth of work (clean and adj rear brakes, induction svc, and the pcv valve). He told me I needed the pcv valve at 25k, which freaked me out since i'm over 40k. Thanks to you...I've saved $150.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

You should consider refreshing the ATF (Type WS) in your Tranny. My dealer charges about $100 for the job.

JeffD

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

You can do what jdenenberg says or you could do what Hobbit does;

Spring maintenance

Of course, waiting for the proper interval, 100K miles, might be helpful also.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Hey everyone - here's my situation. Thanks in advance for the great advice. I just had my 05 returned from the body shop/dealer after being put back together after a rear-end highway mishap. The car currently has 85k miles on it. I drive it 90% of the time (slowly) on the highway, with some running around town. I have owned the car for a little under 10k, and it has been great both before and since the accident (I have no complaints whatsoever). The carfax when I purchased showed a few dealer visits (30k and 50k), with nothing out of the recommended performed. Since owning, I have done strict 5W30 synthetic changes every 5-6k. The car got a new set of Bridgestone Ecopia's about a thousand miles ago.

I have a week off have decided to get a few things from the scheduled maintenance list done. The car commutes to a hot and dusty work environment with lost of dust (lots of high silica and aluminum dust - cement manufacture). So I'm thinking that at a minimum the transaxle fluid can be done. What else should I be thinking of with a mostly highway driven commuter?

 

I'd suggest: if not already done or if needed-- change radiator fluid, change brake fluid, check the brakes, inspect the hoses and belts, and any other routine things on the 90k list. You're almost to that mileage point.

 

I'm coming up to my 30K service for my 2008 Prius and I'm going to have to buy a set of tires soon. Has anyone gone through the 30k service that Art's Automotive Service recommends at 30K? I'm afraid to ask a dealership how much this would cost without taking out a 2nd mortgage first.

Art's Automotive - 30K Service, 2nd Generation Prius

Thanks

Kelvin

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The link above is old and not maintained. Here is the link to the same info on their new web site:
Prius: 30k Service

Coolant and brake fluid change at 30K seem too early.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

This is amazing! Thank you.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Just called Toyota of Santa Monica and asked them about the inverter fluid flush/change at 30000 mile service. They said they recommend it at 30000 miles in Southern California. Has anyone else heard this? They are also charging $190 for it.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Since your car is newer than the 2002 model year, the initial engine and inverter coolant change should be done at 100K miles, as the coolant is the pink Toyota Super Long Life Coolant. Subsequent changes should be done at 50K miles. There's no need to do it sooner unless your money is burning a hole in your pocket.

If your car was older and used red Toyota Long Life Coolant, then it would be true that the change interval is 30K miles. Considering the moderate Southern CA climate, the only reason for the 30K mile change recommendation on newer Toyota vehicles is to improve the dealer service dept's profitability.

If you do a search you may find less-than-positive opinions expressed regarding Santa Monica Toyota. It seems that Marina del Rey Toyota may do better.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I printed this thread and keep it with my car records, but today when I got my oil changed and asked them to check the PCV Valve for possible replacement, they said my car doesn't have one. The mechanic said it didn't have one er, at least, he's never changed one. This was a Toyota dealership...should I run away from them? Or do some model years not have this part?

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

2001-2009 Prius definitely have a PCV valve. It is mounted on the engine valve cover in the driver's side corner nearest to the rear of the engine compartment. The valve is hidden by the engine wire harness that runs over the valve cover. If you look at the throttle body you will see the two PCV hoses.

See: http://priuschat.com/forums/knowledge-base-articles-discussion/56852-pcv-replacement-how-photos.html

Since the mechanic at your Toyota dealer doesn't know about that valve, it would be a good idea to find another place to have that valve replaced.

 

Brought the car in two weeks ago for a regular service, and the service rep suggested I do a 60,000 mile service, and rattled off a bunch of things they would do, that I can't remember now.

Anyway, I told him I'd have to do it later because I don't have the $480 whatever he said it would cost, and I needed some time to save up the cash. He then said, well it's OK, you can wait until your next service in 5K to get it done. We'll just do a regular service for $100 then.

OK fine. They rotated my tires even though I'd just had them exchange my snows for my all seasons two weeks prior! What?!

Glad I found the official "list" of stuff they do for the 60K service because it appears to be a regular service, and then just a lot of "inspections". That certainly should not cost $480 smackers! Right?

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

just replaced inverter coolant pump, coolant is bright pink, almost glowing. I didn't have time to drain so i just pull off the hoses and stuck them on the new pump, using my thumb to plug up hoses etc...to minimize coolant lost. Ran the bleeding loop numerous cycles, as well as extended 5 minutes run; but didn't detect any bubble.

Question: 04 Prius with 152kmiles, never changed either coolant. I can tell the radiator coolant needs a change, it has sort of an orangy color. But i think i can leave the bright pink inverter coolant; what do ya think ?

Thanks

 

I think that changing the inverter coolant is *very* cheap insurance.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I can second the upselling at Santa Monica Toyota. I brought in my 2005 Prius for the gas-pedal recall and an oil change. They said I had "carbon buildup" in the engine, and recommended flushing out the fuel injection system and intake runners. My car only has 25,000 miles on it. Their service dept gives me the creeps.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Some PriusChat members had bad results with fuel injector cleaners so it may be wise not to do it. By the way welcome to PriusChat! Lots of useful info and helpful people here.