I've got a 2015 Prius v with about 29,000 miles on it. I did my first oil change on it today. A little early but we've got a long trip coming up. I discovered the plastic access cover for the drain plug and filter is missing. Previous changes were all done by the dealer under the free maintenance plan. A couple of questions: 1) How necessary is this cover? I searched previous postingsand the answers were mixed. Not having it makes future changes easier but if it is needed for protection I'll get it taken care of. 2) What do you think happened? Does this model and year have the cover that is hinged and subject to failure? Is it likely the dealer mechanics just pulled it off? Or is it likely it failed somehow? If it failed, would this be a warranty item? Thanks!
I'm not a tech, but I've been doing my own oil changes for over 10 years now. My 2012 Prius v still has the cover, but no, you don't NEED it. I'm sure it doesn't hurt as far as keeping things clean and resisting rust on the subframe. I had a 2005 Ford Focus for 10 years that was missing the undertray. I never had issues. So, with that, if you are in an area that gets snow, it's possible snow can build in that opening a little, and there isn't much room for it to go. Thus the corrosion gets worse. I think that with the service department having done the service to this point, I would at least call them and ask why you don't have one anymore. I know I hate taking the thing down, haha. I'm sure they will at least quote you a price to replace the tray, if they don't do it for free. XT1575 ?
If you've got all your services done at that dealership, yeah: I would give it a go, try to get them to spring for replacement. Now that you're doing your own, and assuming it's a similar setup to the regular Prius, I would suggest: remove the whole cover, as opposed to bending back just the flap at the oil pan. The hinge is too thin and brittle, can't take it. Also, always wash all the plastic fasteners out with hot soapy water, get the grit out. Keeps them from jamming up and breaking when you next try to remove them.
OP here: Thanks for the info, especially the suggestions about cleaning the fasteners. I went in to the dealership to get their take on it. Basically didn't get anywhere but I didn't really expect much given that I didn't have a clear understanding of what happened- they broke it off when servicing, pins came out and flap tore off while . They seem to be of the mindset that almost all those covers break off given some time and I am fine without it. I'm not sure what I make of it but it seemed like the convenient answer for them. It does sound like these covers will break off without extreme care (like removing the whole cover to change the oil to avoid bending it. What I find frustrating is what I perceive as a tendency to give any excuse without understanding the problem. "We can't turn in a warranty claim because we have to turn in the bad part and you don't have your cover." I pointed out that I do have the remainder of the cover that it broke off from. I need to change the transaxle fluid sometime in the near future. When I drop the whole cover, I can get a better sense of how important I think that flap is. Thanks everyone!
If you've just been talking to Service Writers, ask the Service Manager, see how that goes. And if he falls into line with his underlings, ask him for a Toyota contact number: they've broken a part of your car, and their arguments are ridiculous. The unfortunate underlying issues: 1. The flap on the cover is a poor design, the material way too thin and brittle to take repeated flexing. For what it's worth: the Repair Manual makes no mention of this flap, recommends removal of the entire panel. 2. The myriad plastic fasteners holding the panel require patience and care to avoid breakage, and OEM replacement are expensive. Both of the above are "perfect storm" for harried, professional mechanics. I think your best course is to go Toyota, get them spring for a replacement cover the one time, and then stick to DIY oil changes, keep the pros the heck away from it.
I would also let your money do the talking and consider another dealer fir future purchases. Customer service is not their strong suit and U suspect the service department is a profit center for the dealer.
4th Gen is improved in this regard, btw: has a small, completely separate (not hinged) panel at the oil panel, held on with screws.
