Is it worth to do the 180k miles maintenance at the dealer?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Cibelly Aguiar, Dec 21, 2018.

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  1. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    Hey everyone,

    I have a 2007 Prius with 178,520 miles. Tomorrow I have an appointment at the dealer because there is a recall pending for it. Something about a steering shaft that needs to be replaced. Decided to do it now because we are planning on doing a longer trip than usual with it (Boston - NYC) and my brother keeps saying that he doesn't think the car can handle it because it is "really old" with a lot of miles on it. Which I don't think it applies, because I am always reading in the forums people with their prii way longer than that and no problems. But also, I know that a proper maintenance is the key to keep a car running longer.

    I asked the dealer about the 180k maintenance as well and they told me that as my car has never been there before, they don't really have a quote or estimate of how much it would be, but they said that they start at $67 doing oil change and tire rotation. I changed the oil on the 29th of September, but don't remember doing tire rotation since I got the car about 1 year ago. I always go to the mechanic when anything abnormal happens with the car, like check engine lights, I had one fixed in August and it didn't come back. Everybody says the car is running great, changed the tires recently too. And took it to a guy to do the HV battery diagnostics to see if everything is fine, he said it was running really good. The only problem is an airbag light that is on the dash that doesn't go away and the passenger one doesn't sense that there's a person sitting there.

    Should I still go ahead and do the 180k service? Or should I wait the car hit the actual 180k to do it? The car I was looking at the Carfax report of the car and it says that the last dealer visit was in 2016. The car also had some damages reported and one accident, I think that when the thing with the airbag started. I didn't buy the car, so I didn't know about that stuff, my parents got it from my brother's shop and gave it to me last year.

    P.s.: I am going to attach the diagnostic results below too. IMG_4438.PNG Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.35 AM.png Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.26 AM.png IMG_4438.PNG Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.35 AM.png Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.26 AM.png IMG_4438.PNG Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.35 AM.png Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.26 AM.png IMG_4438.PNG Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.35 AM.png Screen Shot 2018-12-21 at 12.06.26 AM.png
     
    #1 Cibelly Aguiar, Dec 21, 2018
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The manual repeats after 120,000 miles so if you read the 60,000 maintenance that is what they should do.
    https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/07ToyMS_MS0003/pdf/07ToyMS_MS0003.pdf
    Page 12. If it was mine I would consider changing the ATF WS in the transaxle, it is a simple drain and fill and should be about $100 (it is there as check front differential oil, if you haven't changed it by 180,000 I would)
    You mention new tires, that counts as rotating them. They last longer rotated often.

    And yes, do it all at once, now. The less time at the dealership, the less time they can mislead you.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Dec 21, 2018
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Wow that steering shaft recall is really old like 6+ years old surprised your shaft has not failed. Very very dangerous the steering could fail. You need that recall done asap.

    Letters of recall were sent out to the original owner but since you never saw a dealer they lost track of the car ownership.

    There's another recall too where they cut 2 inches off the bottom of the gas pedal that was to stop the "the car is accelerating by itself" issue years ago where the bottom of the gas pedal gets stuck in an after market carpet mat and the pedal gets stuck floored and away you go. I recommend you get that done too you will not even notice the difference in length and its then above the floor mat. Much safer.
    Doesn't bother me or my wife.

    The airbag light is on probably because the clock spring in the steering wheel is broken. Do all the buttons for radio and ac work on the steering wheel? I bet not.

    Its a tiny little car you really need the airbag system functioning in that car. Don't bother asking the dealer to fix that because it will be very $$$ at $140 an hour labor. Probably $150+ in Boston.

    If your 12 volt battery is older than 3 years old don't be surprised if it starts acting up on you after the dealer visit. Dealer likes to work on the car with the doors open and you cannot turn off the door side lights and it will kill the little 12 volt battery so be aware of that.

    The only thing that's a really must have is if its got the original water pump belt its a miracle it has not failed. There's only one fan belt on this car and its only job is to turn the engine water pump. If It breaks and falls off you will never know till a check engine light comes on indicating the engine has severely overheated and that usually warps the head and then the engine is toast. terrible system with no engine coolant temp indicator on the dash. It is not to be trifled with.

    I would have that belt replaced no matter what it looks like when its on. When you take it off you will be able to see how cracked it is.
    That little $10 belt could cost you thousands of dollars.

    Lastly go to toyota.com/owners forum and join and then list the cars vin off your insurance card and you will see on that site every visit the car has ever seen at an authorized toyota dealer. You can also post and use it to keep track of your diy activity.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Dec 21, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2018
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  4. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The original owner would have gotten the letter years ago when Toyota sent it out. We just had my wife's '07 steering recall done last year after we found out about it here on PC. We had had it since December of '15.

    I'd like to second Ed's motion on the airbags and serpentine belt. Those are critical, as is the steering fix.
     
    #4 jerrymildred, Dec 21, 2018
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  5. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    The steering shaft has been replaced on my 04 twice in it's 245,000 miles. It's a permanent problem? I've owned it since 225,000. Any symptoms to know it's going out?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #5 audiodave, Dec 21, 2018
  6. Stoner

    Stoner Junior Member

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    Does anybody know if the 2008's were recalled for the steering shaft?
     
    #6 Stoner, Dec 21, 2018
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    #7 SFO, Dec 21, 2018
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    dealer or a good mechanic who understands hybrid nuances, makes no difference
     
    #8 bisco, Dec 21, 2018
  9. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Could be:
     
    #9 SFO, Dec 21, 2018
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  10. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    I am at the dealer right now. They just finished the recall and I decided to pay for the 180k service. They charged me $255 for the maintenance service, I uploaded a file on what it covers. Thought it was fair, as I was already here doing the recall.
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 Cibelly Aguiar, Dec 21, 2018
  11. Cibelly Aguiar

    Cibelly Aguiar Junior Member

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    Yeah, I heard it is really old. According to Carfax, I am the 6th owner. The first four owners had the car for less than 5 years. So I think they were just passing it forward. Probably the first owner didn’t have the car when the letter arrived. I changed the details of the owner last week, when I called about an enhanced program.

    About the airbags, all the buttons on the steering wheel work fine. My brothers shop fixed the last accident, and he told me it was something on the drivers seat, but I’m not sure. The guy from Prius Kings recommended me to a mechanic in my area that fixes those sensors. He asked me to take it there so he can take a look, and if they’re not dealer codes, he’ll be able to fix it for cheaper.

    It’s my first car, so I’m still learning what I have to do with it. And saving money for all the repairs and stuff. You guys are always very helpful. Thank you for the tips!
     
    #11 Cibelly Aguiar, Dec 21, 2018
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  12. Stoner

    Stoner Junior Member

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    General statement for all but mine is a 2008.

    Toyota says my vehicle has no recalls on it.

    Read the Recall notice from Toyota and a portion of my vin was included but Toyota further stated that about 1/2 actually need to be looked at. Guess I'll call Toyota tomorrow and check.

    Thanks so much for these two links .... very helpful!
    Stoner
     
    #12 Stoner, Dec 21, 2018
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  13. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Does anyone know what the "Install Premium Engine Protection" is all about :confused:
     
    #13 SFO, Dec 21, 2018
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  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I wondered about that, too. <head scratching emoticon>

    @Cibelly Aguiar and @Stoner, if you go to Toyota's website, you can set up an account and then register your car's VIN to see all the service records and recalls they might have for your car. Here's the link to the owners' page. Toyota Owners Official Web Site
     
    #14 jerrymildred, Dec 21, 2018
  15. Stoner

    Stoner Junior Member

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    I just signed up, thanks.
     
    #15 Stoner, Dec 22, 2018
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