I took my Prius in for its 40k checkup and the dealer informs me that I need a new aux battery for $200. The warranty ended at 36k. I'm irked because I had mentioned in two previous visits that the radio had been re-setting itself (and sometimes the clock). Both times they shrugged it off. So I'm wondering if they put off testing the battery because they could make more money if they let the warranty lapse. You'd think not, because Toyota will pay them for the warranty work (right?).
Welcome to the site. I'm sorry you didn't join us earlier. If Toyota pays less for warranty work the dealer is going to want to defer it until it is on your dime. I now nominate you to be the poster child for checking your own voltages. Check the new battery to ensure it is fully charged & working properly. At least name the dealer that ignored you.
I haven't had the battery work done yet. I'm going to talk to my dealer tomorrow. If they give me a price break I'll have them do the work, otherwise I'm taking it to another shop (no sense giving the bad guys more $). As far as checking things myself, I used to do car stuff in my younger, poorer days. I'm okay with having the dealer take care of things, but with that comes suspicion. I miss my 66 Nova.
Dealers have proved not-completely-reliable at testing the Prius 12V battery. You can easily do it yourself with no tools using this procedure: http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/73400-weird-stuff-happening-mpgs-dropping-test-battery.html Also do this immediately after getting a new battery. Some dealers are careless about fully charging them before installing them.
Certain normal wear parts are not covered by the bumper to bumper warranty including things likebrake linings, tires and the 12 volt aux battery. You'd have been responsoble for this whether the dealer caught the problem or not.
