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Routine Maintenance in Seattle area

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by leifanders, Jul 12, 2020.

  1. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    Hello all. I have a 2012 Prius c, and have been turned off by the Toyota of Seattle service department. They've serviced my Prius since new, but their performance, and up selling tactics are a hit much for me as of late. Really I only need an oil change. Anyone know of any places in the Seattle area that would do an oil change on a Prius c? Anyone honest and professional? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated thank you.

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    #1 leifanders, Jul 12, 2020
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Hiya, I live an hour south of you in Olympia and if you ever need help with your Prius I'd be happy to help give you an honest assessment and a range of prices to choose from.

    We have a small group of hobbyist down here who take care of friend's and family's hybrids... As for oil change, I'd encourage you to watch some you tube videos and buy everything you need to do the work yourself. Most of us who work on our own cars wouldn't dare trust a dealership or an oil change place because we'd rather see for ourselves how the car is doing and avoid them accidentally adding too much oil or trying to sell us services we might not need.

    Also, my main supplier for hybrid battery rebuilds said that in the Seattle area he recommends Glenn at Eastside Auto in Bellevue, but probably not needed to go out there just for an oil change, but then again, maybe that's the first step in having a good mechanic nearby who's responsible for keeping you car healthy?

    But more to the point, as much as you can take on to ensure yourself that your car is healthy the lower your maintenance costs will be and the more confidence you'll have when more challenging repair issues arise. And changing your own oil is the first step in the journey.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jul 12, 2020
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  3. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, since that post about the oil change less than a week ago, without warning, the infamous "check hybrid system pull over in a safe spot immediately" came on and I limped the remaining 3 blocks home. I was very low on gas, and after extensive research, thought that maybe my gauge was slightly off, and I ran out? It felt that way as the power shut down. But the hybrid system check light?? Car has always run great. Only 135k and routine maintenance. I put gas in it, and it starts and drives just fine,
    But without the hybrid system kicking in. I took it to the auto parts store and put it on a scanner that said replace battery pack. which obviously I can't afford to do that so do you think it's possible that if I disconnect the battery and reconnect it it might turn that light off and the hybrid system will work again? Any suggestions?

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    #3 leifanders, Jul 18, 2020
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea, auto parts stores can only read the primary code. What you need is the subcodes that are more specific, as well as the best way to incrementally repair from least expensive to most expensive. Sometimes it's an inexpensive fix if you get the right sub-codes, of course Toyota Stealerships and most mechanics will just read that initial code and waste thousands trying to replace everything even when it's not necessary.

    First step is to get a better sense of how the system looks.... Dr. Prius app via an OBD2 device is an ideal way to do that. Here's buyer's guide: Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus Alternatively you could a Mini-VCI dongle via Ebay or Amazon, which runs Toyota techstream diagnostic software on older version of Windows computers.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Jul 20, 2020
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  5. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    so thank you for the reply and as it turns out I just disconnected the 12-volt battery on my Prius and then pulled the service plug from a hybrid battery let it sit about 15-20 minutes and then it started right up like new. I'm absolutely smart floored and shocked that it works. And super excited about it thank you for your advice and I shall look into getting one of those devices for my Prius.
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    #5 leifanders, Jul 21, 2020
  6. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    Hello. Well the "check hybrid system" warning lights coming up on my dash periodically has been unrelenting so I've dug into ways to diagnose myself, rather than get raped at the Toyota dealership. I browsed the link you sent me and am wondering your opinion on this adaptor for my 2012 Prius c 3.
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    #6 leifanders, Mar 15, 2021
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I wouldn't buy that one... Didn't you read the buyer's guide I linked? Currently I prefer Caristsa... As for Amazon, don't buy from them, they're thieves who are destroying small independent business. Use Ebay or someone else instead.
     
    #7 PriusCamper, Mar 15, 2021
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  8. RobAustin

    RobAustin Member

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    Nice, sounds like you got an extra 9 months out of it.

    If you haven't used techstream before it makes sense to get someone with the software to do it.


    Any reason the dealer won't check the codes for you?

    Rob
     
    #8 RobAustin, Mar 15, 2021
  9. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    Thank you for the reply. I did look at the different options as far as OBD2 scanners go, but against my instinct, mistakenly went to the dealership out of ease and lack of time. What a disaster that was. I paid for the deep scan $172 and was told what I already knew that the hybrid system was failing. They're only offer was to replace the traction battery at $3,400. I said thanks but no thanks. despite repeatedly asking them to check my 12 volt battery, they once again did not do so and that is puzzling. At 9 years old I believe the 12 volt is past its shelf life and I'm curious to know if that might have something to do with low voltage in my car overall. My next step, or steps I should say is to either get a second opinion from an independent hybrid mechanic with good reviews, or I was thinking about getting the 12v battery tested at an auto parts store and maybe replacing it see what happens
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    #9 leifanders, Mar 23, 2021
  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yea... Replacing the 12v is the first step considering the age of the existing one. Here's the one I prefer: 12 Volt (12V) 55 Amp (55Ah) VRLA AGM Sealed Lead Acid Battery 55 AMPS HIGH CAP | eBay Keep me updated on how things go and I can explain a range of options for having a healthy hybrid battery again that's compatible with what you can afford.
     
    #10 PriusCamper, Mar 23, 2021
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  11. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    #11 leifanders, Mar 23, 2021
  12. leifanders

    leifanders Junior Member

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    Hello. Update > I found a website called Green Bean Hybrid, and they sent out a mobile mechanic with a rebuilt hybrid battery. Installed it and everything, with a 100k warranty. Only $1700. Seems like a good deal. For now

    HD1907 ?
     
    #12 leifanders, Aug 29, 2021
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