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What to check w/ used 2013 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ZeroTX, Jan 21, 2017.

  1. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
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    Five
    Hi guys,

    We added a second Prius to our family. My brother just bought a 2013 Prius Persona with 44k miles on the clock. Paint color is white with the dark gray vinyl interior, etc. This is in addition to my wife's 2014 Prius Five with now about 28k on it. On my wife's, we were still in Toyota bumper to bumper warranty, so we got some freebies, such as a new 12v battery (it was low), and they did the recall on the hybrid computer. I'm guessing this 2013 needs the recall done. Not sure, other than oil changes, if anything else should be checked. Car drives great and other than a scratched up front bumper, looks great (dealer is going to repaint front bumper).

    My Toyota dealer service guy says the Prius basically doesn't need much maintenance other than 10k oil changes (full synth) and periodically check the usual maintenance items. He says other maintenance items like brakes and tires, last longer on a Prius than on a Corolla or Camry. Less maintenance in general.

    I want to help my bro do a once-over on this one before he starts racking up miles. I expect he'll be keeping this car for a minimum of 6 years.Thanks for your input!

    -Z
     
    #1 ZeroTX, Jan 21, 2017
  2. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Junior Member

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    Five
    Ok, I'll add a couple of pictures of the car.... dealer pics, so of course idealized and you cannot see the very obvious scratches in the front bumper!

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
    #2 ZeroTX, Jan 21, 2017
    jerrymildred and bisco like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gorgeous, congrats! check/clean/replace air and cabin filters. all the best.(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 21, 2017
    CNYhybrid likes this.
  4. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Junior Member

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    Thanks! Anything else?? My brother is TERRIBLE with automobile maintenance, so I want to head off any issues at the pass.
     
    #4 ZeroTX, Jan 23, 2017
  5. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Go by the owner's manual. Also suggest a transaxle drain and refill which you probably already know about. Best of luck to you.
     
    #5 dorunron, Jan 23, 2017
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  6. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

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    I just bought a '13 Prius3 a few months ago from dealer. Certified, 20K miles, leased car.

    One thing I didn't check is the recalls. I assume that was done as part of certification.

    How long does the 12v battery last? Is it mileage or years?

    Mpg has dropped from 55 late summer to about 50 now in mixed driving.
     
    #6 PriusSport, Jan 25, 2017
    Eve Barbanell likes this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Toyota USA says to do a brake service every 36 months or 30K miles. In the the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet. Maybe that was missed? Toyota Canada says to change the brake fluid every 36 months or 48,000 km's (30K miles as well).

    Strangely to me: it seems a lot of owners, and a lot of Toyota dealerships, seem to equate brake service with pad replacement. But in my opinion, and Toyota's as well, this is a periodic service that should be done, regardless of pad thickness remaining.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Jan 26, 2017
  8. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Yes the recalls will have to be done before the dealer sells the car, certified or not. And don't forget about the side curtain airbag recall, G0U


    iPhone ?
     
    #8 trentofdestiny, Jan 26, 2017
  9. ZeroTX

    ZeroTX Junior Member

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    I don't think that's true. We bought our used 2014 with recalls pending. It was not a Toyota dealership. Also, the "brake service" is really just an inspection unless they find something problematic (e.g. pad thickness or rotor issues). My Toyota dealer service told me that transaxle service should not be done until 100k miles....
     
    #9 ZeroTX, Jan 27, 2017
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Yeah there you go. ;)
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Jan 27, 2017
  11. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    I'd agree with OP's dealer that maintenance is pretty minimal. I've been doing my own; mostly just oil, air filters, and tire rotation once a year (or slightly more often, now that I'm going over 10k annually). Replaced the wiper blades after 6 years, and the tires at about 6.5/60k. One of the rubber covers over the shocks is cracked now, but it's my understanding that it's not cost effective to replace them. I think I topped off the coolant once, too.

    Probably at least 4 years, likely several more. Time takes a toll, mileage doesn't really - regular driving probably helps keep it charged, actually. Heat and cold do cause it to age though, as does draining it. I'm at 7 years on mine, and until 6 years, the voltage on it was the same as when it was brand new. I also live where it is rarely hot or cold, so I would expect to get more time out of it than most.
     
    #11 macman408, Jan 28, 2017
  12. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Well if a problem had been identified but Toyota had no solution available, then that's fine. But otherwise, in the OE dealer world, they must be done first


    iPhone ?
     
    #12 trentofdestiny, Jan 28, 2017
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