Recommended Mechanics in Washington, DC / Maryland / Virginia

If you are just looking for a good mechanic (not a hybrid shop in particular) you can check Angie's List or Checkbook.org for Washington DC region. Miller Toyota in Manassas gets some good comments.

We seem to lack many hybrid shops, but some ideas can be had by looking at Dorman hybrid battery installers below. Hillmuth in MD is one possibility.

Prior comments below:
Well you already pointed out my location perception was wrong, but you can try MAC's (not in NoVA). I see that MAC's is still listed as a Dorman hybrid battery installer (had been Re-Involt).

Mac's Service Center - expert auto repair - Ashland, VA 23005

Miller Toyota in Manassas gets some good marks and apparently takes Costco discount.

There is a hybrid shop in MD closer to B'more. Shows up in some hybrid repair shops lists. Maybe these guys below (see MD shops):

Dorman Hybrid Drive Batteries - Installers

Our area seems to have very few hybrid shops...not sure why as we are one big hybrid market.

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/looking-for-good-independent-mechanic-in-norther-viirginia-or-dc-md.140529/#ixzz31dTomRKt
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Try this link: Hybrid Shop Finder | Auto Career Development Center
There is one in Gaithersburg, MD. Another option is Trust Auto in Chantilly, VA. Don't know the quality of this shop - they sell used Prius' and they've advertised in Craigslist as Prius specialists. There is also "The Hybrid Shop" run by Curry's auto in Gainsville, VA. Don't know anything about this place either. If anyone has gone to these shops please chime in with good or bad reviews.

 

One more place that claims to specialize in Prius' is University Exxon in College Park, MD. The mechanic has advertised in Craigslist and even offers to rebuild HV battery for $500.

 

The repair shop Hillmuth (Columbia, MD location) was on the HybridCars.com preferred hybrid shop list...but that list is dated 2011. It was the only one in our region on that list. That shop was also on the Dorman list I had provided above.

More recently (per above) Curry's was going to support hybrids in DC region:
Aftermarket Service Provider The Hybrid Shop Launched - HybridCars.com

 

I've heard that replacing the engine coolant is difficult and the dealer is the only way to go. The other two are pretty simple and any mechanic or capable DIYer can do them easily.

 

I just got 4 spark plugs off Amazon for $28. Have not tried to install yet, but you might want to ask labor price to see if supplying your own helps.

 

just did some shopping around for Hybrid battery repair in DC area, my findings below (I went with Greentec FWIW):


Jack in Annapolis: Prius Hybrid Battery. Faulty cell replacement only. $1750 total including labor and travel to you.

Mac’s - VA:
Hybrid Services in Ashland VA, Troy VA, Goochland VA | Mac's Service Center
. They don’t replace cells, only full replacements with the reinvolt battery. Diagnostic = $149; if corrosion only = $650; if replace battery = $2500.

Curry’s – Arlington VA: Diagnostic = $149. Min $1200 up to $2000 depending on # of cells replaced. 3 yr warranty. they charge by how many modules they replace – only do paired modules, not individual cells. 3 yr warranty on the replaced cells only (www.hybridshop.com)
Currys Auto > Maintenance & Repair Services > The Hybrid Shop

Todd in Richmond VA: Hybrid Battery Pros | your solution for hybrid batteries Prices: Prices for your hybrid’s battery | Hybrid Battery Pros. Faulty cell replacement only. $1000 for the battery, plus $175 labor, plus $200 to travel to you.12 mo warranty, balances all cells, replaces harness.

GreenTec - Lothian MD: $1100 for 6 mo warranty, $1345 for 18 mo warranty. $200 for installation. remanufactured battery or new battery install. . Hybrid Auto Repair Shop in Washington, D.C. | Hybrid Battery Replacement

Mr Salgado – Germantown MD: $750 for everything including balancing. 6 month warranty. 240-938-1575 Faulty cell replacement only. His web site: gogreenhybrid.com. toyota prius hybrid hv battery rebulde service2001 to 2013.

 

That's a great list I don't think we've had anything like that posted so far.
Mac's has been mentioned a lot but it's kind of far from DC.
Still seems funny we don't have more in NoVA but at least there is now Curry's.

OK 2004 I was going to ask about CARB warranty but you're over the time.
Did you check with Toyota? many do to see if they can be given a loyality discount?

>>>looks like Curry's offers battery pack reconditioning, preventative maintenance, presumably similar to the technology being discussed on Prius Chat. Anybody tried it? Cost?

 

JoJoNC -
Why did you decide on Greentec and are you (still) happy with that decision. We're trying to figure out what to do about our battery which just died.

 

they were the cheapest option for an 18 month warranty. After reading some cautionary tales I decided against going with random dudes on Craigslist who replace just the faulty cells - cheaper, but have no way to guarantee anything, so if another cell goes next week, you're SoL. Greentec also appears to back their warranty based on someone else on PC who had a battery go bad within the warranty period. FYI they took $100 off the installation for me, so it was a $100 install. I had the car towed to Lothian and went to pick it up the next day, it was painless. I went with the remanufactured battery... so far so good, but it's only been about 5 months.

 

One option is to call Toyota and ask for out of warranty assistance. They seem to be sometimes granting reduced cost about $1800 for a new battery in other cases like yours. If you can get a deal like that, it's best to get the new battery. See my thread (search on Goodwill Warranty) has a phone number. But first you need to go to Toyota service for a diagnosis. Dealer can sometimes help you too. I'd might be inclined to try MD dealer as MD is a CARB state.

HV Battery Goodwill Warranty Listing - Toyota Prius USA | PriusChat

PS- JoJo recently said so far so good (only been a few months) but many here like Toyota new batts are def better than rebuilts.

 

I can do that stuff for about half that. no I'm not a hybrid specialist, but I own 2 prii, which I service myself, and I was a Mercedes Benz master tech until I got tired of working at the dealer last year. 195 for spark plugs is kinda high in my opinion, and if you've already had your coolant flushed last year, you don't need to do it again.

 

I am wondering if you could help with transmission issues with 2001 Prius. Mechanic to look at in area. Making a lot of noise on startup sounds like belts slapping. Has some one replaced one?

 

69ShovlHead of Sterling (prior post to you) is a general car repair expert and he might be able to give you a hand. As far as hybrid shop, aside from dealers where Miller in Manassas gets some good reports, we do not have too much. Hillmuth in Maryland is one independent shop possibility. You can see the places referred to above in this thread.

 

Had to check that, but yeah: DENSO SK16R11 prices:

amazon.ca: $14.30 (CAN)
amazon.com: $5.99 (US)

 

I am pleased to report they are performing well 1-year later.
I replaced the orig at around 135k miles so that puts me at 270k miles and 10- years in the future for the next replacement, which I am hoping is not by me.

PS- I saved the old plugs as I cannot bear the thought of throwing iridium in to the landfill

 

welcome! you should quote shovel head, mention his name or pm him, if you want to get his attention. all the best.