Its the tranny part 2: $4211

"Some people have gotten very good price from dealers". I was not one of these people. Went to my dealer -they wanted $230 to change the transaxle fluid. I thought I heard them wrong...then thought they misunderstood what I was asking for....finally I thought that this is what it might feel like being a bank employee during a stick up. Needless to say- doing it myself tomorrow. May save a sample of old stuff to have tested.

 

Within 45 seconds my dealer quoted $289, then $189, then $119 for that service. After the $289 I noted that it wasn't a transmission that needed a flush, then he came back with $189 and I told him it wasn't much more than a manual gearbox fluid change, then he came back with $119. I'll do it myself.

 

I bought used steel ramps to drive prius onto (on sloped driveway to keep it level) $20. Used (brand new ) torque wrench $20, oil collection pan $5, oil $35, alum crush washers $3. I'll do it tomorrow for $83 (not $230) and have a nice torque wrnch and a set of sturdy steel ramps. Gotta love dealerships.

 

To follow up: the ramps did not work due to low prius clearance. I could have made a ramp for the ramp, but the slope of driveway was not right- car would not be level. It occured to me that my trusty mechanic may do this for me- gave him a shout: he charged $60 labor for BOTH oil change and transaxle fluid change. (!!!!) Dealer wanted $230 for just fluid change. It was a pleasure to see the black fluid drain out, and the clear red fluid go in. For 15 years that fluid has been in there! 130K miles. (not much for 2004) Also gave it and underbody treatment with N.H. oil undercoating.