What services you need and what you don't

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The following link might give you some ideas about brake service and it's frequency.

Brake service

The following link is a well-faceted gem.

Prius links

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Note that the cabin filter at Toyota costs ~$20+. My dealer charges 15 minutes ($18) to install it.
1) Change it your self. The only 'hard' part is figuring out that the piston has rotated back up and that is why you can't find the end that pops over the pin on the removable lower glove compartment (right side). It takes 3 minutes after the first time when you have figured out how it is done - If you take a nap between taking the filter frame out and putting it back in.
2) You can wash it! A little Woollite or other gentle soap in the kitchen sink, some water and LIGHT brushing with an old tooth brush. Rinse and let dry. It is 95% new. I read about that here (of course) after I had just purchased new ones for our Prii and tried it. Now I have 2 filters per car. No need to worry if you are changing it too early or waiting too long because you need your money more than Toyota does.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

I don't think the 195 TTs are in the same class as low profile wide tires you guys are dissing (I do too. Most stupidly on an Escalade!) If the TTs came in a 185, I would have bought them, but the 195 was the closest and fit the stock rims. They handle a LOT better than the OEM Integrity.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Your profile doesn't list where you live. If you live in an area where it gets cold (no not 50F in Florida or CA!!) the ICE shutoff can be somewhat harsh when it is JUST warm enough to shut off at a red light. Subsequent shutoffs will be less noticeable as the ICE warms. Barely noticeable in the warm weather.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Dude, Thanks so much! i just hit 119k on my 05 and I totally was thinking about having a tranny flush, but not now I replaced the tires and brakes and spark plugs and had the oil changed. Still getting super great MPG and no complaining!

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Wide tires are OK for heavier loads. The Prius is definitely not heavy enough for 195 width tires on all roads. My choice of 175-65 R15 tires for my Touring, with some newer Corolla steel rims, comes because I could not get anything narrower in 16". For snow, the narrower the tire the easier to pass and less likely to slip. For dirt roads, those 175s are like riding on rails; none of the side slip and corner drift I had with the 195-55 R16 monsters this car came with.

It's just a matter of areas and pressures. For a given mass, the smaller the contact area the higher the pressures. The higher the pressures the higher the frictional forces. Frictional forces are what keeps you on the road and out of the ditches, and gets you through the snow better.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

so my dealer charged me to adjust my rear brakes at 15K. Are they NOT adjustable on 2008? Thanks for any advice.

 

The rear brakes are adjustable, but there's no need to adjust them unless:

1) you feel that the parking brake does not hold the car on an incline (while gear selector is in N), or
2) you feel that the braking action is insufficient.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

If you drive regularly in San Diego there would be ZERO reason for you car to need a rear brake adjustment at 15,000 miles. If there was a manufacturing defect that caused the need for a brake adjustment, Toyota is required by their warranty to make the repairs.

Are you absolutely sure the line is not "Clean and Inspect?" Clean and Inspect is a maintenance item not usually charged separately. If the line actually says "Adjust" then contact Toyota customer services and complain.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

The point is that self-adjusting drum brakes are, um, self-adjusting. Unless there's something wrong, they do not need routine adjusting.

 

The actual cable may stretch. I always use the parking brake on my Prius and my FJ. Have had the parking brake adjusted twice on my Prius, and once on my FJ

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

A past post on this subject:

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-ma...eed-what-you-don-t-post784218.html#post784218

 

Thanks for the list. It's really helpful and timely for me.
I'm new on the forum and am wondering what your take is on having service done at the dealer vs. not w/ a 2007 Prius. I now have about 35k miles and feel like I've been paying almost as much for service as maintenance on an older car that actually needs work. Is it easy to find a good mechanic that knows the ins and outs of a Prius for a reasonable price in a metro area?

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Thanks galaxee, appreciate the feedback and suggestion. I'll check it out.

 

Actually, the routine stuff like oil changes are easy to DIY

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

...And don't be tempted to press extra hard on the parking brake. This is probably a sales ploy. You don't need extra stress on that cable to get the parking brake to hold. Easy does it, that's the ticket.[/quote]
They way I work my parking brake is as follows:
1. If parking on the level, I just press down until I feel a bit of resistance and stop
2. If parking on an incline, I press down until I feel a bit more resistance then gently take my right foot off the brake. If the car starts to move, I apply more parking brake. When I get it stable, I then engage the parking prawl with the P button.

 

What is the minimum Service for a 2006 Prius at 15K in Utah?

 

Rear brakes are disc brakes so no need to adjust them is there? Well they are on my Prius.
Some self adjusting brakes need you to apply the brakes in reverse to adjust them automatically. Some people never do this, they select drive while going backward instead. A few brake applications in reverse fixes it up usually. When I service cars I always take off brake drums to inspect and adjust. Never breath the dust. Yes I know asbestos isn't used in brakes any more but that fine dust can't be good for you.
If you need to remove dust use a gentle stream of water and dry by applying the brakes a few times to generate some heat to prevent rusting. Do not leave brake dust on the ground, always clean up wet to prevent rising dust.

 

Re: What services you need and what you don't

Change the engine oil and oil filter. That's it; all other services are optional.