I Just Needed an Oil Change, but did I Rooked?

I top off the gas on daughter's behemoth Pilot when changing the oil. Sometimes. Especially if it's running on vapours. But there's no way professional mechanics are going to do that for a customer, lol.

 

... not the Washington State laws are relevant to transactions in Oregon ...

 

I am not aware of ANY dealer that tops off your gas tank. Brake and inverter fluid, probably. Windshield washer fluid, doubtful. Oil, never.

 

Brake fluid on a normally functioning system shouldn't be topped up. It's pointless: the gradual dropping of the level as the pads wear is normal, and when pads wear it'll return to the top, if it hasn't been topped up. If it has, it could overflow. On the other hand, if there's a leak in the brake system, the fluid level's dropping rapidly, you still don't want to just top up; you want to find out how and why it's dropping

Engine and Inverter coolant levels, normally don't budge much, maybe 1/4" per year with heavy usage, unless there's a problem. And then more investigation is needed, not just top up. And with Toyota's near-proprietary fluid, maybe best to stick with the kosher stuff, don't let independent mechanics dump in whatever. Best to just bite the bullet, buy yourself a gallon, you're set for life. You can use it up when fluid change time comes.

Windshield washer fluid is pretty much the fluid that's worthwhile to be topped up by the pros. but do you want to pay a mechanic $100 an hour to do that...

Really, between the 50 cajilion point check up, and the top up all fluids, I just roll my eyes.

 

Mine topped off only washer fluid, which I didn't want.

 

NOwhere on planet Earth have I ever seen "topping off fluids" include gasoline. Everything else ... good to go.



Please explain to me why you wouldn't want washer fluid. ... TIA.

 

Perhaps he has preferred or favorite products, rather than the cheap generic shop stuff.

If heading out soon on a cold hard winter trip needing -30F or colder fluid, one certainly wouldn't want a shop to fill it with +32F or 0F product.

 

Easy Because washers don’t need any fluids. It only needs right turns.

 

And, in Oregon, it is illegal to exceed a quote by more than 10 percent without prior authorization.

 

Hmm .. I'm surprised that comment aroused such widespread interest.
1. It is hardly ever needed in warm weather, so would just be another 8 pounds of useless weight to haul around everywhere.
2. I still had the gallon I syphoned out initially.
3. If I did happen to venture far enough north the following winter to need it, it likely would've frozen by then.
4. The washer system on this car is so bad, it's next to useless anyway.

 

Wait, what? You have a problem with the washers? Why?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

The windshield of my car just gets dirty sometimes. ... Bugs. ... Birds. ... Stuff off the road. ... et al.

WOW. "... another 8 pounds of useless weight ...".​

 

Meant to say the above; edit window long gone.

 

Hi Baryonyx,

For what it's worth, I just obtained a 2013 Prius and called the dealer in Pensacola, FL to see the price of an oil change, the service writer I spoke to quoted me $55.00, I presume that's before tax.

I checked on a Fram filter and 5 Qts of Mobil One 0w20 at Walmart, $5.63 and $22.88, respectively. Looks like I can do it for roughly half the price the dealer charges, in my area.

I am an older DIY dude, those prices they charged you seem very high.

 

The feeble streams just barely reach the bottom of windshield with car stopped. Aren't they all like that?

 

No.

 

No. My powerful streams shoot far over the car if not aimed carefully. you must have a disconnected hose.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Really? Nothing is disconnected or obviously awry otherwise. Same on both sides. Sounds ok. Of course it could be partially clogged somewhere. That's one more questionable detail I should've complained about shortly after buying the car (as CPO). It never worked any better, at least not since I acquired it.
How do you aim this type washer nozzles? That was obvious on my earlier cars.

 

Stick a large pin in the holes.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

If the stream is weak, there is either a clog in the lines, nozzles, or the motor.
How does the rear one work? Is that strong?
If it is, you can go to the bottom of the washer tank, switch the lines and try the front again.
If the front works and there is a strong stream, and the back is weak, it's the motor.
The wash tank may be gunked up with what ever they use as a washer cleaner. You might have
to remove the tank and wash it out with a garden house. Or remove the motors, and spray the hose
at the filler neck to wash it out. The clean out the motor inlets, and maybe that will fix it.
If they lines are not clogged. I'm not sure if it have a filter in it or not, that could be clogged.