What services you need and what you don't

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

That's infuriating. Did they write down on the service agreement when you brought it in what you specifically asked them not to do, and did they call you for permission before doing those things? If not, i wouldn't pay for those things. Did they write down the things you requested them to do and did not do? If so, i would ask their management to reservice your car at their expense and take care of what you asked for. Also, i suggest making a report on Angie's List and other user review sites such as Yelp, to give others a heads up.

The only problem with taking it back to them to complete what you asked them to do is that they don't sound trustworthy, to put it mildly. But call Toyota and report this, ask what recourse you have (or don't have) and present it to them in terms of that they're being watched closely and any problems will be brought to their attention.

If they didn't write down what you asked them to do and not to do, there's probably nothing else that can be done. Sorry you had this experience. Having read this, i'm going to make sure in the future that these things get written down. I wasn't thrilled with my service advisor when i took my car in for its routine service, earlier this month. It was the second service since i've owned the car.

The first time i was very happy with the communication and service and price. When i called for my second appointment, they said my wonderful service manager who had been there for 9 years, was gone, not there anymore :-( So, i got this other guy and he was not the same. He was uncommunicative so that it didn't seem like what i was interested in had any importance to him.

Mainly i wanted the parking brake checked. He did write it down, but when i picked up the car later, he was very busy with other customers and i just paid my bill and assumed everything was checked but nothing was mentioned one way or the other about the parking brake.

But while i was waiting for them to bring out my car, an authoritative looking man asked me if all my needs were being met, he was friendly and then, he started yelling at service guys to get my car, because i was standing there waiting. So i thought i would like to have him as my new service manager, but he turned out to be the boss of the whole place.

I told him about my disappointment that Paul had left and he said he had another guy who was "a Paul clone" and said i would really like this other guy, and he got me the guy's card and encouraged me to call him for future needs, and said that this guy really "takes care of his customers" and gives them that extra concern and attention. He also gave me his card. So i left feeling good. At least it was only $98. Is that a normal price for a minor service?

From the Agency manager's behavior, i had the impression this must be a competitive business. There are a number of Toyota agencies in the area, but this is by far the closest. Like you, i was planning to go to a different one next time, based on the bad feeling i had with the new guy.

 

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

Oh, you have GOT to be sh***ing me!

 

I wish I were. It's possible a couple of the items were my fault, for not being specific enough. I assumed they'd look at my file to see that I use synthetic oil, and that I don't want my car washed. I've seen large scrub brushes on sticks in buckets of mud, said no, and asked them to note it in the file. I also assumed when I said "Do the things specific to the Prius for 65k, NOT the generic tuneup" that they might look it up and do the right thing. Nope, standard tuneup package, no fluids changed other than oil - the wrong kind. They did the coolant when I pointed it out, but of course that was another trip for me and more money. I didn't get any parts back, either, and I definitely remember discussing that part. Bye, local dealer.

 

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

:doh:

If that had been me, I'm fairly certain I would have gone monkeys*** on them

 

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

I'm an infrequent poster. After spending an hour with the search feature, I still have questions. Please redirect me if they've been asked ad nauseum, I mean infinitum.

Our three-year warranty is about to expire. Is there anything you wish you'd done at that point which (in hindsight) you'd recommend we have done?

We're the second owners. It only has 34K miles and it's driven about 5-8K/year on Oahu, mostly by our teen and mostly short trips under 45 MPH. The car's been nearly flawless-- a couple shutdowns on the cruise control, a false alarm on the passenger-seat weight detector. The suspension probably takes more of a beating than it should and the brakes are probably used harder than they should be but they're OK. No other problems.

We do our own oil changes & cabin-air-filter cleanings. The tires are due for a rotate & balance but they're not misbehaving.

Any TSBs I'd want to look at? Any other recalls or late-breaking news? Any other regrets?

Otherwise I'll check back near the seven-year point…

 

Perhaps change the CVT fluid

 

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

I need recommendations-
I replaced my tires in Feb., and the tire store (not the dealership) is wanting to do the 45K maintenance.
Is it necessary to go to the dealership to have these maintenance checks done? Is there such a think as a prius certified mechanic?
thanks-

 

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

Have you been told what maintenance the tire store wishes to perform? How did they notify you of this need for them to perform the 45K service?

 

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

Any more details? Why do they want to do the maintenance? What does it include? Are they trained to work on hybrids etc?

 

I would be cautious whenever they want to sell you "extras".

 

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

Great thread!
my 07 is at 30K miles

I know I need an oil/filter change
I just got new tires (and alignemnt) - so no tire rotation this time.
I can inspect the engine and cabin filters and replace.

So what is left in the prius book list?


Inspect the following:

• Ball joints and dust covers
• Brake lines and hoses
• Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs
• Differential oil
• Drive shaft boots
• Engine coolant
• Exhaust pipes and mountings
• Fuel lines and connections, fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
• Fuel tank cap gasket
• Radiator, condenser and intercooler
• Steering gear box
• Steering linkage and boots
• Transmission fluid or oil

Anything else? Also, what ballpark price is reasonable for the labor for this inspection set?

Thanks

 

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

essaunders,

Have you read message no. 1 yet? Most of your question will be answered by a close read of that initial entry into this thread.

 

yep. got the message printed out...

Interestingly, the dealership is quoting about $25 for part+installation for the engine air filter -- - but they want ~$100 for the cabin filter + "service". the service appears to be some kind of duct vacuuming and spraying (at least two things!) into the vents.

I don't remember any discussion of a need to clean the AC ducts: it sounds like the dealership really just wants to point their vacuum at my wallet.... anybody have wisdom on vent system cleaning? Anyone done their own? Had it done?


I forgot to add: all those listed inspections will appear to be covered under the dealership "free courtesy inspection" that goes with the $25 oil change.

 

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

What differential oil? Maybe they confused my FJ Cruiser with your Prius

A visual inspection, as the tank is see-through. I wouldn't pay anybody to do this

You must have one of those extremely rare and exotic turbocharged Prius cars!

The Prius has electric assist power steering. I guess they confused your Prius with my FJ again

The fill plug can be a bit of a PITA to get to, I personally would change the cvt fluid every 30,000 miles, max

 

The posted list was copied right from the toyota online 30000mile list for the 07 prius. I am avoiding the dealer's 30000k $480 service... that had lots of "extras" in it...

 

Im near the 60K check up on an 04 prius. The following is taken directly from my local Right Toyota dealership's general service plan.
The * means "If Applicable"
How much of this is fluff?

- Replace Engine Oil(up to 5qts)
- Relace Oil Filter Will do myself
- Lube Chassis*
- Clean and adjust rear brakes*
- Asjust/tighten parking brake
- Rotate tires
- Multi Point Inspection
- Replace Air Filter - Will do myself
- Inspect timing
- Scope & Adjust to factory specs as necessary
- Inspect/adjust EFI system
- Road Test
- Basic Transmission Service
- Replace Spark Plugs** (Dont know why this one has 2 *)
- Replace Coolant
- Pressure Check coolant system
- Adjust V'drive belts
- Inspect thermostat operation
- Inspect hoses

 

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

I searched almost 5 years on my Prius, and never did find a grease zerk (Forum member Hobbit calls them "grease tits"). Maybe they confused your Prius with my FJ Cruiser?

Might not be a bad idea after 60,000 miles

You can do that yourself, it's easy enough. I wouldn't pay for it

Of what? Whenever I've pinned somebody down on what exactly this means, I've received extremely vague replies

On a computer controlled engine with per-cylinder coils? You can't even adjust the timing, either the crank sensor works or it doesn't. If the Prius had a distributer cap, I could see adjusting timing.

There probably hasn't been a mass produced vehicle made in 10-15 years that has had the need to adjust the timing

Scope what? Adjust what? Maybe they confused the Prius with a 1967 Chevy Impala: better change the plugs, points, cap and rotor, set the timing, and rejet the carb

Inspect what? Adjust what? Hint, there isn't even an external fuel filter, it's part of the in-tank fuel pump assembly

I'd ask to go along, just in case the lot boy who used to scrub the urinals the week before, decides to try taking a Prius off road

I think it's a good idea to change the CVT fluid much sooner than 60 K. Keep in mind the Prius doesn not have a fluid pan on the CVT, no filter, etc. There is a drain plug and a fill plug, very straightforward.

If they try to sell you on a "transmission flush" tell them they are full of s***. There are no clutches/bands or other conventional auto trans parts inside the CVT case. Just a planetary gearset, a power transfer chain, and a differential

Probably because a Toyota equipped with platinum or iridium plugs has the first plug change >100,000 miles. Changing the plugs on a Prius at 60 K is a bit early. It wouldn't be a bad idea to check on them though

A bit early on a Prius

I was under the impression you were NOT to do that on a Prius, due to the coolant switching valve, thermos storage tank, inverter loop, etc. Could result in damage

Just one belt, as there is no power steering pump, the A/C is variable speed electric, no alternator, etc. The tensioner should keep proper tension on the belt.

Once the belt shows signs of age, it's a good idea to replace the tensioner at the same time. If the tensioner bearings go, the pulley will seize and ruin a belt

How? They're not going to remove it and test it. Either it works, or it doesn't.

Easy enough for you to do yourself

 

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

Regarding this one issue, please note that Prius does not have a spring-loaded tensioner that will automatically adjust as the belt stretches. The tensioner is adjusted manually at the time the belt is installed, and will not compensate as the belt ages.

However, if you don't hear any squealing noise characteristic of a slipping belt, I wouldn't worry about adjusting it since the only accessory the belt is powering is the engine mechanical water pump (in the case of Classic, it is also powering the AC compressor.)

 

Sorry. I assumed a standard tensioner was used on the belt

 

Your list is excellent. I have one further question; the serpentine belt. When should one start looking to replace it? Just had went in for my 60k the dealer recommended their 60k service for $499.00. Basically the list was about 50 items long and all they would actually be changing was the oil & filter and rotation of the tires. The remainder of the 50 or so items on the list including lube steering is not even possible. Such a rip off.