'13 PIP 7+ Years 100k+ Transaxle, Proper Maintenance, 8yr/125k Platinum

Hello. We previously had a great 2007 Touring #6. And for the last 7+ years, a wonderful 2013 Plug In (Base) that we bought new. It's been on the road (4 seasons climate) 7.25 years and 103,000 miles. I did search and browse Gen 3 and PIP threads before asking this.

Maintenance has been done by 1 Toyota dealership with an expert Plug In tech since new, and 1 tire shop. Nokian WRG4 for winter, Continental TrueContact Tour for summer, both superb. The dealer machined the front discs and replaced pads around 100k (mostly city driving). Rears are getting close-ish.

The dealer claims the "transaxle" fluid is not due until 120k, even though we are at 7.25 years. Comments?

But he wants to do the cooling system flush/replacement at this next 104k service. Thoughts?

I make sure they don't overfill at oil changes. But in general, we are just 2 non-smoking adults with no kids or pets. So, the car is still like brand new to us, not one dent, ding or scratch. My wife has a steady hand, and touches up the (3 stage pearl white) paint when we get rock chips.

We did buy the 8 year, 125k Toyota Platinum $0 deductible service contract before the 3/36 was up, from a Toyota dealer that sold them just over cost. Still a chunk of $, but we thought it would be a great selling point. And now we don't even want to sell it.

Is there anything we might get done under that service contract before it expires in 9 months or 21,000 miles?

As always, thank you.

 

Thanks very much Mendel, Bisco.

We've hit 100k, so it seems the dealer was not "off" in suggesting the engine coolant change (10 years or 100k).

Both of you agree that we should go ahead with the "transaxle" fluid change. It's one of those things where....the car currently operates so perfectly in my (very observant) opinion, that I think back 30 years to undergrad where changing trans fluid in a Ford truck made the trans operate worse, not better. But.....different animal I'm sure. We are going to move to the desert for most of the year before too long. We have a fastidious Toyota Plug-In tech here, who has been trusted since day 1...the only person who has touched this vehicle, other than the tire shop for tires. Not that any of this maintenance is plug-in specific...it's just a 2013 Prius in that regard. But the trust is there to get it right, and we believe this tech is capable.

Is the "trans" a drain and fill, more or less? Are there known/legit reports of any issues with otherwise "healthy" Prii after this service?

We've had no issues that I'm aware of with the 12v. The plug-in does charge/maintain the charge of the 12v, when it charges the plug-in battery. So, when we've left for 2+ months, we leave the big battery empty, and plug it in when we return....assuming if the 12v had dropped a bit, the plug-in recharge would (hopefully) restore it. So far, so good.

If you say 7.25 years and 103k of 4 seasons use is enough, we can replace the 12v. Or we can wait for it to give us a "cue?!?" LOL.

I did do some reading, but for confirmation...inverter coolant. This is separate from the engine coolant system, and separate from "transaxle" lubricant?

Again, thank you.