On my way to work today I notice a scraping sound coming from under my Prius at low speeds. When I looked under the car I noticed the plastic cover that must be dropped to change the oil fliter was dragging the ground. The plastic clips that hold it in place were missing. I used a couple of zip ties to hold it up until I can get it to the dealer. I called the dealer service department to explain this and was told that I must have hit something that caused the clips to pop out and that this is not covered under warranty. The thing is, I did not hit anything, there is no damage, only the clips are missing. I had my second (10,000 mile) oil change done at the dealer yesterday morning. I explained this and asked if perhaps the clips were not re-installed properly and was told no. I don't understand how the assumption is made, with out having seen the car, that this could only happen if I hit something. Has anyone had this happen? Should I stand my ground or eat it and pay for replacement clips (what ever that costs)?
You're probably better getting some black cable-ties and keeping it held in place with those. From what I've seen, those little plastic clips are pretty inexpensive, and a parts person might just hand them to you if you ask. Either way, they've already fallen out once, even if you replace them the odds are that they will probably fall out again. Cable ties are cheap and stronger. You could do your own oil changes, and the 2010 Prius is apparently part of the 10k intervals for oil changes now. Either way, I would imagine if you provide the cable ties to the person doing the change, they will gladly install them for you while they are under the car.
I agree that the cable ties are more secure. But for the plastic clips to come out after only the second oil change? To be told by the dealer, site unseen, that I must have hit something for that to happen. I bought a maintenance agreement for oil changes and tire rotations every 5000 miles for 60,000 miles. When I brought the car in for my first oil change I was told by the dealer that oil change interval was raised to 10,000 miles. I have read about it on this forum and else where but have not recieved anything from Toyota to the effect, nor has the dealer offered any documention to the effect other then showing me an internal memo from another dealer. Until I recieve a notice from Toyota and a refund for half the oil changes that I already paid for, I'll stck to my guns and have them do it every 5000 miles. I just don't want to worry about the pan falling after every oil change and have the dealer tell me I must have hit something. I guess I'm more upset and venting to the forum that without seeing the car, I'm told thier guy's couldn't have made a mistake and not fastened the pan back properly after yesterday's oil change and that the only way the clips come off is if I hit something, or I should say, run over somthing that hit the pan breaking the clips off. Like I said, nothing appears to be broken or damaged. The clips are just not there.
I would talk to the Service Manager about this. If those clips fail that quickly there is something seriously wrong. If there is no ding on on the pan they have no case. I suspect the mechanic did not secure them properly. I recently had a bad experience on a dealer oil change on a Porsche where the oil plug was left loose and most of the oil drained out in a few miles. The dealer had to own up to that one. Just proves that even the best mechanics make mistakes. I now do all oil changes myself!
Found a nice 64mm wrench for the 2010 Oil filter removal: Klann Tools # KLA0122-308 Use google, brandsplace-dot-com sells it. I can't post links as a new forum registrant!
Stand your ground and make them supply and install the clips free. They obviously left them out when they changed your oil. If they refuse, talk to the service manager, if he refuses, talk to the general manager. If he refuses, call or write the national office and demand satisfaction.
The service manager is psychic and can diagnose your problem over the phone. Its in their job description. :madgrin:
The attached TSB has the part numbers. I've done about 20 DIY oil changes on our 2010 now, remove the full panel every time. No one else has touched it. I just recently bought a replacement set of the fasteners type #3 and #5 (per attachment) as a few had broken teeth, were starting to get loose. Use care when prying the fasteners out (a paint can lid pry tool is often best for this), wash them in hot/soapy water before reinstalling, and they will last a long time.
