For a 2010 model, where is the best place other than the dealer to buy the transmission fluid / washer for our vehicle? The dealer gave me the whole "never change fluid" pitch and I got sick of it.
I would just find a different dealer. Or you can try a Lexus dealer, they are usually more professional.
Yes go to a different dealer. My dealer's parts department never mentioned lifetime fluid, just sold it to me for $7.20 a quart (which included my discount for buying the car from them). I mentioned to the service manager that I was going to change it and he said good idea and added that it was a fairly easy DIY job or that they could do it for around $90.
It's a PITA as a DIY project. I just had it done for $100 and watched the whole thing. Easy when you have a lift, but nasty when you have to use a floor jack and crawl underneath.
It must depend on the dealership. I had absolutely no problems purchasing liters through a dealership's parts department. Persevere with them, or try another dealership?
Depends on your POV. It was a piece of cake to me. The hardest part is removing the engine under cover From there it is a simple drain and refill. No harder than changing oil. I do have ramps to drive up on. My dealer also has the WS sitting on the shelf along with other fluids. Provided the WS fluid and the drain plug washers, no questions asked. Even showed me the diagram of the transaxle to make sure we were talking about the correct drain plug washers. I would definitely try another dealer.
My dealer quoted me $145 to change it, but don't want to do it ("sealed for life" etc) and didn't actually have any fluid.
How did you watch them do it? Do you ask? I don't think it would be appropriate to ask my dealer if I could go back and watch them preform maintenance on my car. I'm recognized by one of the guys whenever I pull up to the service, and we're good buddies, but I don't know if that makes a difference if I'd be able to go back and watch what they do to my car.
Usually garages tell me that their insurance doesn't let customers underneath a car. Probably BS; most mechanics are more concerned that someone will steal their tools. I went to Luscious Garage in San Francisco. I'd wanted to check them out for a while. The car was pretty much right in front of me, so once it was on the lift I asked the mechanic if I could look under the car, and he said it was fine. We chatted about cars while he changed the transax oil. I noted that it was still very red coming out, and that maybe I didn't need to change the oil at 35,000 after all. He said its darker red than new, and that he thought it was a good idea to change it earlier. I also asked about changing out the brake fluid, but they didn't think it was necessary yet and didn't recommend it. The Luscious Garage really is a great shop to bring a Prius. They really know those cars inside-out, and they repair all/most of the SF City Prius taxis, which gives them great experience understanding long-term failures. They also show a lot of integrity and genuine interest in Prius and all green cars.
I think it would be totally appropriate to ask, it's your car and your money. If they decline no harm has been done by asking. Usually when they won't let you in the shop to watch they will explain it's due to their insurance. It may also be because a lot of people don't like to have anyone watching them work.
Say it's for your Volvo geartronic transmission I did when buying Toyota IV transmissionfluid (iirc it was IV, it actually WAS for my Volvo, I didn't even own a Toyota back then but Opel (GM) didn't stock it and Volvo is notoriously expensive and will give you the 'sealed for life' speach, those are the 3 known sources for the correct fluid.)
