$270 for 15,000 maintenance - worth it??

Seems like an awful lot of inspections.

You're getting oil / filter change plus a top off of other fluids. Tire rotation and some bolts tightened.

I'm not big on all of those inspections. Oil change and tire rotation would cost you far less at the local quick lube.

Some of the things they have on the list can end up in charges that are more than this. For example, they just mention inspect the cabin air filter. That does not include changing it if it is dirty, which is a very easy self change.

I usually just go to a quick lube place in town, they have been very good from a service perspective in my opinion. For major services that they won't do, then I go to the dealer and do ala-carte services.

On my Lexus, they wanted ~$1,500 for a 90k mile service, that did not include the $750 timing belt change. I went for just the timing belt change and some other key items instead.

Ken

 

It's hard to say, since I'm not a mechanic, but it seems that all you get with the extra $170 is 2 cleanings and a whole lot of inspecting. I guess the real question is how long the brake cleaning takes. Although some of the inspection items seem like they may involve more than a quick look.

In addition - it's seems to me any good dealership should always inspect everything they can, especially when a vehicle is under warranty still. It's really in their best interest to.

So, how's that for not really answering your question

[EDIT] - I swear those other posts weren't there originally...

 

um, I'm pretty sure the rear brakes are self-adjusting...

 

If possible call up a different nearby Toyota dealership, and get their price. Nobody is going to be able to check the 12v battery electrolyte levels (because it's sealed), or inspect the rear differential oil (because there isn't one).

As a 2001 Prius driver, my voice won't count for much, but I have read that the fuel filler TSB is often helpful. Sometimes though, the servicer leaves out an important o-ring, and next time you refuel, you'll make a puddle. This is not so good.

Most Prius maintenence is not hybrid-system-specific, and any competent shop (or DIY-er) can do it. Exceptions include the inverter coolant loop and the transaxle fluid. The new model Prius (like yours) requires a spcial Toyota computer tool to bleed the hydraulic brake fluid. You are almost certainly not a candidate for any of those, at 15k.

If you document maintenance and keep all receipts, you should not have compromised your Toyota warranties.

As your drive includes Bostonian potholes, a suspension alignment (about $80) is worth considering. But again, this is not unique to the Prius. All they need is the spec sheet, probably available around here someplace.

 

1. you are being ripped off. go have the oil changed somewhere else.

2. don't do the fuel TSB.

rob

 

You should go by the 15K mile services as listed in your Prius 'passport' in your glove compartment.

It lists oil change, rotate tires, inspect fluid levels, check filters.

For my 15K (which I did at 17144mi) for my 02/2005 Prius:
o I checked and Dysoned the filters already so I waived that
o I brought my own Mobil-1
o I invoked the Toyota Xpress Lube
o my rear brakes were inspected (for some extra reason outside self-adjustment), no charge

total out the door: $41.89

I think some people recommend doing the fuel tsb, and some not, you probably want that clarified. I lean to just do it, but it should again be no cost to you up front.

 

What is Dysoned?

 

Dyson vacuums.
Annoyingly, most of the black gunk stays stuck to the filter.

One of these days, I wonder if somebody will make a Dyson air filter for cars, and then NO MORE FILTERS! :lol:

But that would be a forced induction intake if that happens, and somebody would still need to clean out the dust collector, or somehow have it self empty.

 

That is way too much.

Pull out the nice maintenance book that came with your car. Read what it says to do. Have the dealer do exactly those items, nothing more. Don't pay for a 15,000 mile service; especially not at those prices.

15,000, 30,000, 60,000, 90,000... mile services were originally created by manufacturers to create logical and memorable mileage points by which things aside from oil and oil filter could be done on a vehicle. However the good intentions of the manufacturers have been perverted by dealers into a profit center. So, manufacturers have fought back by creating well designed and documented service booklets for their customers. Dealers have continued to ignore those service scheduels and hope that you, the trusting customer, choose to ignore the book and let them do what they want, or let them claim they are doing stuff to your car so that they can make money.

Many of these regular interval services include items that just dont' apply to your car, such as tranny oil change at 30,000 miles. In fact, consider many of these package services dangerous to the Prius.

 

You are getting hosed. Look around. This routine work can be done by any competent auto technician. You do not need a Prius Master Tech to change the oil and rotate the tires.

 

well, i dont have a prius. but any place that wants to charge me 99 bucks for my regularly scheduled oil change is just overpriced, and you should look elsewhere

a side note - this might be a heads up that the prepaid maintenance deal is particularly valuable to bostonians.

 

"lubricate keylock cylinders"

oh ya... pay BIG money for that!!... well i guess it might still be needed even if not ever actually using a key although i dont really see why. never using a key means never introducing contaminants to the cylinder making the factory lube last much much longer.

seriously though, is this typical maintenance cost for any car? that could just be market rates. i get most of that done on a standard $31.99 oil change at the dealer around here and jiffy lube will do it for half price. but i have to say, our cost of living is pretty cheap in some areas (services and commodities yes, housing NO)

 

Congrats on your new heir, Dave.

Probably this is not the best time for you to dispute brake service with the significant other, so bite the bullet on that. Just between us, there is nothing wrong with your brakes, but as well, letting their service traineees touch them probably won't screw anything up. The front discs adjust themselves, and the rear discs reset when you stop while reversing. Just cycle the parking brake pedal a few times after they finish with it, and you will be good. Probably it will be 150k miles (about twice what I've got) before anything needs to be done in the friction-stopping department.

You've got a low-maintenance car there, a real plum. I apologize for giggling a little bit when the dealers try to enrich themselves at the expense of Prius drivers.

Here is a 2001 Prius, and *nobody* touches it, except when I feel too stupid to do the job. Fortunately, I have trusty service-folk who don't mind picking up the crumbs. I never go there, without a bag of cookies for the staff!

Anybody who wants to, can run Prius out to 300k or more. It's gonna be fun.

 

Checking the brakes is a no brainier, if you want to get fancy you put a caliper on the pads and compare it to a chart. I have 20K on my car and just had it serviced and I had < 90% wear. The technician said unused was closer to the truth. If you slow down slowly and use the regenerative breaking the use of the friction brakes is minimal. Convince is a major factor for some.

 

I think they are just charging a bunch for the extra labor. It's always the labor that costs the big $$$.


I also have a Dyson, and love the washable filters (and the vacuum in general). However, if these filters are "permanent" then why did I see repalcements for sale at the store...

 

Maybe for those that don't want to wash their sponge filter, or damaged it somehow. More former than latter. Doesn't really make sense to me either.