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Finally got me a Prius! Wanted one for so long

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by CarenM's Prius, Jul 22, 2013.

  1. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    It's a previously loved 2008 with 48K miles - silver.

    Right now it's sitting at the Toyota shop because the previous owner didn't take care of the recalls. Sigh -

    Just bought it on Saturday


    How often do we get oil changes? Tire rotation?
     
    #1 CarenM's Prius, Jul 22, 2013
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #2 JimboPalmer, Jul 22, 2013
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  3. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Congrats.
     
    #3 JMD, Jul 22, 2013
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  4. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    Really?? That is awesome!!! Thank you!!
     
    #4 CarenM's Prius, Jul 22, 2013
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Reasonable schedule if standard 5w-30 oil used. I prefer to buy better quality synthetic 5w-30 and change oil+ filter once a year or every 10k miles, whichever comes first.

    OP: sounds like your car has had an easy life, although perhaps many short drives. I suggest you drain and replace the tranny (aka WS) fluid. DIY is about $40, perhaps $125 at a stealership.
     
    #5 SageBrush, Jul 22, 2013
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  6. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    It's at the dealership now getting old recalls taken care of. I may just have them do that while it is there
     
    #6 CarenM's Prius, Jul 22, 2013
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome, all the best!(y)
     
    #7 bisco, Jul 22, 2013
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  8. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Sagebrush is right. The transmission works overtime regenerating the battery. A transaxle flush every 60,000 miles is preventative maintenance and can prolong the life of the car. The dealer charges about $100.

    You don't need a flush. Just a drain and fill.
     
    #8 JMD, Jul 22, 2013
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  9. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    I will call them tomorrow morning while they still have it there. Thanks :)
     
    #9 CarenM's Prius, Jul 22, 2013
  10. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Do yourself a favor and know the cost before you agree. There are stealerships, and then there are outright unethical bastards.
     
    #10 SageBrush, Jul 22, 2013
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  11. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    Will do for sure
     
    #11 CarenM's Prius, Jul 22, 2013
  12. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    I went to my dealer yesterday when getting an alignment and they wanted to charge me $199 for a drain and refill. I told them it should be about $100 and they said that is what the parts cost itself. I laughed and said I'll do it somewhere else. I found a local independent shop that only work on Toyota and Lexus that will do it for $85.
     
    #12 exbauer, Jul 23, 2013
  13. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Yeah, these simple maintenance items can be horribly expensive at the dealer compared to what it costs to DIY.

    In a couple of weeks I will combine wheel rotation, tranny fluid exchange, and engine oil+filter exchange. It will take me 30 - 45 minutes, and cost about $55* in parts. A gouging stealership can present a $300+ bill before taxes.

    *
    $5 engine oil filter
    $20 engine oil 4 qts (0W-20 synthetic at Walmart)
    $32 for 4 qts of ATF WS through autohauzAZ.com (bought as 8 qts for $64)
     
    #13 SageBrush, Jul 23, 2013
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  14. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

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    Welcome To PC. Best Of Luck with your New Ride!
    Enjoy The gas Savings
     
    #14 NYPrius1, Jul 23, 2013
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  15. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    I am not the least bit familiar on working on a car myself, but I will call around. Maybe my hubby can do it
     
    #15 CarenM's Prius, Jul 23, 2013
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    NO ONE is a dumber mechanic than me. I had never looked under a car hood, let alone underneath, before I bought a Prius. With the help of PriusChat/youtube and a little motivation, I now feel comfortable handling all simple, and some moderate complexity jobs.

    These are really simple jobs, and PriusChat has beautiful DIY threads that have step-by-step and pictures to aid the first timer.

    Oh, and by the way, one of the most respected Prius mechanics in the US is a lady named Carolyn Coquillette, owner of LG in San Francisco ;)
     
    #16 SageBrush, Jul 23, 2013
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  17. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    Thank you - that is encouraging
     
    #17 CarenM's Prius, Jul 23, 2013
  18. CarenM's Prius

    CarenM's Prius New Member

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    So just change the fluid and not the filter? How would I find out how to do this?
     
    #18 CarenM's Prius, Jul 23, 2013
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