Maintenance beyond 120,000 miles

Bring the garage queen down and we’ll take a look.

You might like it below the 49th parallel.

 

This is very helpful, thanks!

For my 2021 Prius (trim 5):

• I had the full 120,000 mile service done at 122,000 (10/2019). The brake fluid was changed a few months earlier when I had a lot of brake work done.
  
• I had an oil change and tire rotation at 128,000 (5/2020).
  
• I had an oil and filter change, tire rotation, cooling system flush, and cabin air filter replacement at 133,000 (3/2021)
• I had an oil and filter change (I missed the tire rotation) at 138,000 in February. Hopefully, nothing terrible will happen because of the 11 months with no maintenance.

I'm just about at 140,000 now and I know I need everything shown on your spreadsheet (other than the oil change) for both 135,000 and 140,000. Is there anything else I should have done now?

I see in other comments here about getting the "EGR circuit" cleaned. Is that advisable at this time? Please forgive my ignorance, but what's the difference between an EGR valve, EGR pipe, EGR cooler, and EGR circuit when it comes to what I should request from my mechanic?

When should the Intake Manifold clean be done?

Is it safe to assume the Transaxle fluid doesn't need to be changed until an inspection reveals that to be the case, or should it be done proactively at some point?

Thanks!

 

Check first link in my signature.

 

A 2021 also needs egr and manifold cleaning? What’s that when Toyota does the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome, I forgot.

 

Missed that.

 

My poor typing, sorry. I meant 2012!

 

See, I knew...

 

I asked my usual shop (a Goodyear franchise) to quote on cleaning the intake manifold, PCV valve, and the EGR pipe. He quoted me something in the mid-$500 range saying they would replace the PCV instead of cleaning it. I also asked for quotes from two independent shop that also have very good ratings, but both declined, saying they don't touch jobs like that. One suggested I call a dealership.

I sent an email to the dealership requesting a quote and they called back and asked if I was having any problems with the car. I said that I had no symptoms, lights, or codes and that this was solely preventive maintenance. She said that I might qualify for a Customer Service something or other to get all those parts replaced for free instead of just cleaned, but they needed to inspect the car first and that they could get the job done in a day or two.

I had my girlfriend drive up there in her 2012 Prius so she could bring me home. The inspection consisted of scanning the VIN and checking the mileage. She worked at her computer for a few minutes and said my car qualified, and that this program was only good until September and for a car with under 150,000 miles.

I asked about my girlfriend's car, since it was the same year and model as mine (lower trim package and half of my miles). She scanned the VIN and the mileage, worked at her computer for a much shorter time, and said it did not qualify, although it did have 3 unrelated warranty extensions. I asked why it didn't qualify for the EGR replacement, and she said there were a lot of variables, such as when and where the engine was made, etc.

When I picked the car up, I found this in the paperwork: Note that I told them it was solely for preventive maintenance, but what she wrote up must have included the magic words needed to qualify for the free work. Ethically dubious, but in my favor so I'll just keep quiet about that.


I did a web search for "toyota" "zf3-repl" and found a "Warranty Policy Bulletin - NHTSA" (No. POL16-04) that provided all the details (this site wouldn't let me include the link).

I didn't realize until later that although they completely replaced the EGR pipe, inlet, valve, cooler, and modified the wiring harness, my paperwork doesn't say anything about cleaning the manifold or doing anything with the PCV valve. Should I still try to get that done or does it not matter since they did the big expensive job?

[BTW, they noticed my two license plate bulbs were dead and, being a dealership, wanted to charge me over $50 to replace them, saying it involved 20 minutes of labor. I declined. They offered to just sell me the bulbs for about $3 and I took them up on that, figuring that stopping at an auto parts place wasn't worth the hassle to possible save $1 or $2. I think it took me 3 minutes to do once I got it home, including the time to look up in the owner's manual how to do it and to find a screwdriver.]

 

the intake isn't part of toyotas program. best to do it yourself or find someone who will. the four small ports are critical

 

DIY is THE way to go. Unless you’re close to the few savvy shops in the States. See first link in my signature.

the intake cleaning is a walk in the park compared to the rest fwiw.

 

Would you mind including the extras in your spreadsheet?

 

How do you know the spare parts you’re getting are in better shape than the part you’re replacing?

 

When would you recommend replacing head gasket preemptively?

 

I’d rather not; the intent of the spreadsheet was to have an easy-to-read table summary of the Toyota mishmash, not to append it.

 

That’s why Toyota didn’t include cleaning egr, lube caliper pine and hv grid charger and etc on the maintenance list

 

Unless shop is used to clean Prius egr+IM it is good idea to print them instructions. Shop manual does not have such instructions but Mendel signature has suitable links.

i had cleaning done at shop and stressed the importance of those tiny passages. They had never seen such design and would have missed the passages without instructions. Funny thing that if those passages are missed to clean all the other cleaning work is useless

 

First link in signature. If on a phone turn it to landscape orientation to see signatures.

 

How does one know which are the savvy shops?

 

Good question. Might be worth starting a thread, "EGR Savvy Shops".

A couple I can think of:

Tampa Hybrids (Tampa FL)
Hybrid Pit Stop (Buena Park, CA)

Abysmally short list so far.

 

Good suggestion, preferably a sticky thread!

Even more so, in case I need one someday.