I have a 2013 Prius 3 and the dealer is recommending to perform a Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaning. They are charging me $69.95. Is it necessary to have it done?
Any reason for the recommendation? Any codes or poor performance? In any case, you can easily do it yourself. IIRC, you'll just need a 10mm socket/wrench, some MAF sensor cleaner, and maybe a Philips head screwdriver? Remove the sensor and spray it down with the MAF sensor cleaner. I wouldn't try messing with it using a brush or anything; you could damage it. The sensor is connected to your airbox, where the engine air filter goes. Edit: You may not even need the 10mm socket/wrench, just the phillips head screwdriver. I think the MAF sensor (or mass air flow meter, as the repair manual calls it) has 2 screws connecting it to the airbox. just make sure not to strip the screws. If you do though, just replace the screws once you've removed them.
Dealers will recommend all kinds of different services to help make their boat payment. It's usually wise to decline their recommendations unless they show a specific reason why they are recommending them. If they tell you, that's just what you should do at the mileage you're at, it's usually a bunch of BS.
SB6, I took it in for its regular maintenance and it was listed on the dealer's Multipoint Inspection report. My Prius has 78K miles. Thank you for the recommendation! Will definitely try it. Thank you!!
Seems odd to only recommend cleaning this one thing... I always do them with the rest of the tune up: New air filter & spark plugs, throttle body cleaning, mass air flow cleaning. And I've done enough of them that it only takes 90 minutes to do all of it... So it's super inexpensive for people who come to me rather than a dealer.
