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

I'm getting all 4 brake pads replaced, do I NEED to resurface the rotors? (pictures included)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Gassavingfenatic2024, Oct 19, 2024.

  1. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,489
    5,056
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The only serious issues that would seriously impact braking power would be a bad brake booster. But you would have lights and codes.

    Less serious but important would be a need to flush the brake lines. Without a brake fluid leak this is unlikely except for the first paragraph.

    I would take it back and talk to the service manager. Ask for their Master Mechanic to drive it.

    There are wide variations of helpers to oil change guys to jr mechanics to Master mechanics (usually only 1) in the dealership.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,671
    39,221
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    You had brake "maintenance" done. It's to ensure the brakes continue to function as they always have; no change is good.
    That's not so good; sounds like something they effed up. Hopefully sorted itself out, whatever the heck they did. You were just there for the transaxle fluid change, correct? How do they manage to mess up the brakes then...

    What did they quote you on the transaxle fluid change btw? I ask because a more-than-fair price would be around $100 USD, and there's been lots of reports here, long-winded stories by service writers about how tricky it is, and quotes $200~300 USD, and higher.

    There's a link in my signature regarding transaxle fluid change, if you want to see the complexity level. (on a phone, turn it landscape to see signatures)

    And yeah, sounds like an unhealthy attitude at that dealership; you may want to try another, or an independent, if practical. Dealerships are a mixed bag. Even the better ones can take a downturn, say if it has a responsible/honest service manager, and management cans him, because revenues are down...
     
    #22 Mendel Leisk, Oct 29, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2024
  3. OptimusPriustus

    OptimusPriustus Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2021
    322
    134
    1
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It is always good idea to avoid pushing fluid back upstream when replacing pads. Better to bleed out while pushing pistons in. Especially with old cars and old fluids.

    Is the shop some independent shop not used to Toyota hybrids?
     
  4. GFO

    GFO Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2015
    75
    47
    0
    Location:
    Larkspur
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It sounds like you're being played. You can buy a cheap OBDII scanner/reader from Amazon for $20.00 or so and then search online what the code means. What I do.

    Or as Kenny noted above, some car part stores will read the code for you for free. For all you know, it's just a loose gas cap. Happened to a coworker of mine with his Mazda SUV, check engine came on, he called the dealer and they quoted him $175.00 just to read the code. I read the code for him with my cheap eBay scanner, was a evap leak related code, turned out his wife left the gas cap on loose when she filled it last. Cost nothing to resolve. Code P0445 iirc.

    If you buy a scanner or get Autozone (or other) to read it for you, don't clear the code, as it might be related to something the dealer did. That will serve as proof they messed something up.

    I would absolutely find a new mechanic though.
     
    #24 GFO, Oct 30, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2024