1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius Mechanics in Boston Area

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Bluesman78, Mar 5, 2017.

  1. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2017
    162
    46
    0
    Location:
    Boston
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I've tried my best to look online for a non-dealer mechanic who can work on Prius. I mean more simple things like draining the transmission fluid without explaining it needs the toyota replacement, etc.

    I'm looking for the Boston/Somerville/Cambridge area. Given the demographics of this area either every mechanic does this or there have to be some that only work on hybrids.

    Thanks again!
     
    C Wagner likes this.
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,664
    39,220
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    For stuff like transmission fluid changes maybe a PriusChat member in the area can help you out? It is a pretty easy DIY. From reports here, most of the cases of wrong fluid being used are non-dealer mechanics, fwiw.

    The name of the game is raise/level the car, drain, fill with Toyota ATF WS, till it starts coming back out.
     
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    Perhaps when he returns from vacation, @bisco could be of assistance.
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Bisco? He doesn't even change his own oil
     
  5. Currahee

    Currahee Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2016
    103
    33
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    There's a DIY auto shop about an hour away in Providence, with mechanics on hand to help. Haven't been there myself but it seems popular.
     
    SFO likes this.
  6. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    SFO and bisco like this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,664
    39,220
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    To have a decent chance of getting it done right, with the transaxle fluid change: bring your own bottles, the right stuff. And might as well bring the fill and drain bolt washers. Then, they'll probably use a pump that's been used to pump other fluids, so there'll be some contamination, depending on how well they cleaned the pump.
     
    bisco likes this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    as you said, any mech in cambridge/somerville should have the knowledge and experience. just quiz her before giving the go ahead.
     
  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    All the mechs in canbridge/somerville are female?
    You learn something new every day here :D

    Thanks, Bisco.
     
    bisco likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    oh ya, luscious. i mean, brilliant.
     
    Prodigyplace likes this.
  11. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Well, the Brilliant ones are. I understand all the Luscious ones are all in SF. (y)
     
    bisco likes this.
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    look for a triple a rated mechanic, i think they have to meet some standards.
     
  13. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    An A for AA, perhaps? :rolleyes:
     
  14. C Wagner

    C Wagner Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    183
    58
    0
    Location:
    Boston
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    What stupid answers you all gave to a decent question: “where are the specialist (Prius only...)” mechanics in the Boston area...
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    uh-oh :oops:
     
    C Wagner likes this.
  16. StirFly

    StirFly New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2024
    13
    2
    0
    Location:
    Boston area
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    N/A
    Leaving aside the nonsense above, does anyone know of a good non-dealer Prius-capable mechanic in the Arlington MA area, specifically one with experience diagnosing issues with the hybrid system?
     
  17. StirFly

    StirFly New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2024
    13
    2
    0
    Location:
    Boston area
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    N/A
    Any experience with Firestone?
    They say specifically that they service hybrids, have a shop fairly semi-close.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,129
    50,045
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Stay away from chain shops, they lie more than dealers.
    For funsies, ask them if they have Toyota tech stream diagnostic software, and if yes, describe your issue to them and report their response here