Maintenance needed at 100,000?

I've been reading different threads, but would like to get clear on what maintenance I should have done on my 2011 Prius with 94,000 (soon to be 100,000). What is important to get done to extend the life of the car? I've read enough to think that not everything that is recommended by dealership is needed, but want to be smart about it also. I had all the maintenance done at the previous intervals because it was under warranty.

My car runs well, except for a ping after start up until it warms up and I accelerate, especially on an incline. After car is warmed all up it mostly completely dissipates. Would a can of Techron 1 be smart? Should I be buying a higher octane gas? Is it something I should have the dealership look into?

My situation now is that I leave the car for a period while I am in another state, and have been doing so for some time. Hasn't seemed to create any issues. It is trickle charged before I get back, and tires checked. Anything else I should be thinking of? Actually have another Prius in the other state too...a 2020.

I know these are more than one query, but any good recommendations from those who know Priuses pretty well would be appreciated. I'm hooked on them after 10 years of ownership of 3 of them, and want to keep them going strong into the future without breaking the bank doing unnecessary things. Thanks in advance!

 

By regular brake inspections, do you mean what they regularly do with oil change, or something different? Had all required maintenance done until warranty ran out, and now just oil changes and tire rotations. I will ask them to do the EGR/intake cleaning....they seem so busy these days it's like pulling teeth to get in, but will try and push for these things to be done. Mostly concerned about the ping.

 

Thanks for the replies....I'm heading back to that Prius and am once again trying to figure what to do. I thought of buying a new one, but they're near impossible to find, and so expensive. People always say these cars can go 300,000 miles with hardly anything being done...I know that's just what people like to say, but always makes me question what truly needs to be done in the way of maintenance.

If the dealership is saying that the brake pads are at 5 does that mean they should be changed? And thank you for the further advice on brakes. I do get confused, as so many say that they regenerate with braking, and don't need changing that often. Is there a way to discern whether the brake pads do indeed need to be changed by the feel of the brake?

And as far as the EGR, is that a recommended remedy at this point anyway, and could easily take care of the ping problem? Just trying not to throw a bunch of money into a car I only use for half the year that isn't necessary. But also want to feel safe driving the car wherever I need to go.

Thanks for any further insight into this and helping me make decisions about what I should do about this 2011 baby of mine that I truly want to last a long time, especially as I said with it being so difficult to get new ones. Thanks again.

 

Hello Mendel....thanks for all your help! So regarding the brake pads I should have nothing to worry about for a bit, even though they seem to insist I should put new brake pads on since they've never been done and are down to 5. I am a female that does no car maintenance on my own...have a lot of talents, but fixing cars isn't one of them! So I rely on mechanics, and particularly the dealership I purchased this Prius at since I don't know any other mechanics there that I trust either in the area. You're saying you would feel entirely comfortable with 5mm and brake safety at this point, but as you say if they get down to 3/4 might be good to change? Will the brakes feel a certain way when I can tell they are not safe perchance?

Also, thanks for further info regarding the EGR cleaning. My situation is that I leave the Prius for about 6 months a year, and I do wonder if that gunks up the system more. I am somewhat concerned about this pinging situation mentioned above, but since will not be doing any of the work myself am wondering what the best thing to do is. I was thinking of trading this in, but with current inventory issues and costs, am thinking I can hopefully get through this 6 months with the one I have. Why is having the dealership do it an exercise in frustration exactly....do they not do a thorough job, and might it not even take care of the problem? Is there any fluid I can put in that would help the situation? And I can't replace the intake manifold gaskets myself, and not sure I want to have the dealership do that with all the costs, etc. Are there any special instructions I can give the tech at the dealership to make sure he does the PGR cleaning correctly, or wondering what my options are, and you seem quite knowledgeable on all things Prius. How likely is it that I could blow a head gasket if I do nothing, please?

 

One more thing, Mendel....spoke with the dealership, and they said the PCR was all replaced with a recall so should be good, but that they recommended intake manifold work, and possibly the timing cover gasket. They say 2011's are known to blow head gaskets, and this would likely remedy that. Do you know anything about this? They also said I could get a diagnostic for $160 to see what the problem is. As I mentioned, I kind of just want to trade it in, but there seems to be no supply. I had always heard that these things run forever...but possibly because I leave it half the year it has compromised things. Am I overworrying, or what would you likely do in a situation like this? Thanks a bunch!