Friend bought a 2013 Prius from Toyota recently. I am sure it is just a base model hybrid, not a plug in. It is a new old stock car, with maybe a few thousand miles right now. He wanted me to ask what would be some of the overlooked important maintenance things he's should do earlier. I'm not talking about basic maintenance, more interested in the big things like when to change the transaxle/inverter fluid for first time and their after. Same with both coolants. I'm thinking that spark plugs and coolant should be changed first time at 100k. How about serpentine belt or drive belt? THANKS
There's a maintenance book that should be with the car. He can't go wrong following its recommendations. There's no serpentine belt or timing belt to worry about.
Still looking for the hidden knowledge of early maint of things I mentioned, unless Toyota has really come to their senses. Again not looking for the straight forward maint schedule. Thanks
The Gen3 Prii have a beltless engine, so that shouldn't be an issue. Changing the oil if it hasn't been done would be the biggest thing. Most of the miles it had from the dealer were likely from short trips, which is harder on oil than longer trips that fully heat it up.
The only thing not covered in the schedule is the trans fluid and there's been many a debate about that. I changed mine at 10,000 miles.
What I mean is not early maint in general , but early maint on the long term things like early fluid changes prior to the 100k schedule and transaxle ATF, WHEN. This is a parting favor for the seller of the 06 I have now, he want future info, so he can take care of the 2013 better. Sorry I didn't make that clear. Looks like our post overlapped Dobro I will let him know to be a stickler about maint by the book from Toyota, and change the transaxle / inverter ATF at least by 60 k. That seems to be the general consensus on here, from what I have read . Thanks
If he owned an 06 and sold it to you, he would just do the same with the 13. Same thing. .... No different SM-N900P ?
That's a good point JC, I think by my quizzing him about the 06 before I purchased it, I think I may have made him aware of how to take care of a Prius a little better. He apparently was big on oil changes. I could be like the mechanic on Sienfield and steal his car because he's not taking care of it, hehehe.
Toyota told me the transmission fluid never needs changing. Just change the oil, oil filter, cabin and engine air filters until he reaches 100,000 miles
Dealer is going by the book, I think most independent Prius specialist and a lot of Priuschat members feel the trans fluid should be changed sooner. After draining the muddy old fluid out of my o6 trans for first time at 144k after buying, it was worthless. The only life it had left,was to to be recycled.
Toyota also doesn't care if your car dies at 150k miles, because that means you'll be in the market for another one, hopefully a new Toyota. Just because its good enough for the average car life doesn't mean its not a good idea if you plan on keeping the car for a long time.
That's so true, Toyota looks at it like a disposable cigarette lighter. But thanks to people that recognize the long life of a Toyota, we can keep them on the road longer.
I'm comfortable with saving money, I plan to pass on changing trans fluid sooner than later to my friend with the 2013. Hopefully this thread concerning trans fluid change will convince more to change fluid early . I think people have done test with fluid at 100 k and found it not as effective as fresh trans fluid. Btw, from what I have read on Priuschat, most don't trust the dealerships.
Was referring to it sort of like a part for a car, like new old stock. In otherwords, he bought the 2013 car in 2014 with no miles on it. Now he has a few thousand on it. Sorry, that was confusing to me too, hahaha....
Toyota is moving their US headquarters from California to Texas, this is my last Toyota, you folks in Texas will have to take up the slack.
