Where To Take My Prius for Scheduled Maintenance?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by frankenstein, Nov 13, 2013.

  1. frankenstein

    frankenstein Junior Member

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    Been taking my 2008 Prius to a Toyota dealership for scheduled maintenance, but after catching them red handed in an attempt to rip me off, I am now looking for someone else to service my car. My question is, how risky is it to give a hybrid to any of the non-Toyota service centers in my area where mechanics may or may not know the ins and outs of hybrid technology? F.Y.I., I am in Georgetown, Texas.
     
    #1 frankenstein, Nov 13, 2013
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    What was the rip off?
     
    #2 rjparker, Nov 13, 2013
  3. frankenstein

    frankenstein Junior Member

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    I had taken my Prius in for 30k servicing, they replaced air filter, and cabin filter, oil filter, etc., etc. Everything according to schedule. Six months and 2,000 miles later I get a reminder from Toyota about having my 30k service. I had been really busy, going out of town, buried in work, etc., and completely forgot that I had already had the 30k service. So, like a dummy, I take my car into the same dealership and the service tech tells me there will be a two hour wait, and they might have to replace the air filter, cabin filter, etc., but maybe not. Twenty minutes later my car is ready to go, and darn if they didn't have to replace the air filter, cabin filter, etc., because "they were pretty clogged." Now, I know they have my service records on their computer, and they knew damn well I had already had the 30k service, and the filters had been replaced just 2,000 miles ago, etc., but instead of telling me, "Hey, pal, you already had this service done," they just charged me for another 30k service, and I doubt they replaced the filters. I was suspicious because it only took them about 20 minutes to perform this service, so when I got home I checked my maintenance records and sure enough, discovered I had already had the 30k service done. I complained to Toyota corporate and soon after got a phone call from my dealership apologizing for the "mix up." Got a refund, but of course I can't trust these thieves any longer, so looking for someplace else to take my car. Thanks for asking.
     
    #3 frankenstein, Nov 13, 2013
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Most any shop can do those things. Might check cartalk.com for mechanic recommendations near you.
     
    #4 rjparker, Nov 13, 2013
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    *Moved to Gen 2 Forum*
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Nov 13, 2013
  6. frankenstein

    frankenstein Junior Member

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    Thanks RJ, will do. Appreciate the response.
     
    #6 frankenstein, Nov 13, 2013
  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Why not YOUR garage?

    OK.
    So some people are unable to do self maintenance.
    I get that, but mostly is like hybrid ownership in general.
    Many more people are able to and ought to be doing it, than currently are.

    In this case, and for a 2008 I'd recommend developing a relationship with a good independent shop.
    Depending on your location, there might even be a shop that specializes in hybrids.
    Routine maintenance for hybrids is easy.
    Wanna know why?
    Because most of the parts that need the routine maintenance are the same ones that need them in non-hybrids!

    Good Luck!
    Spread the word.
    People like me don't call them stealers for nothing!
     
    #7 ETC(SS), Nov 13, 2013
  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    FWIW, most of the maintenance is simple oil and filter changes every 5000 miles. Rotate the tires at least every 10,000 or when you do the oil changes. Keep an eye on all of the fluid levels. When you reach 60,000 on the odometer you should have the transaxle drained and refilled. A flush is not needed or necessary. Simple drain and refill. Instructions here on Prius Chat on how to service the transaxle. The major services don't come up until you get to 100,000 miles on the odometer. It is a good idea to service the throttle body every so often. It gets pretty dirty and if it ever gets stuck can cause major problems and excessive repair costs. That too can be done by just about anyone as long as they take their time and use common sense. Chances are you won't have any problems with the hybrid part of the car. Even if you did, it is warranted for a long time (8 years, 100,000 miles) so you are a long way from having to be concerned with that. The only real thing to watch on the hybrid end is the inverter pump. As long as you see turbulence in the inverter tank when in "Ready" mode, the pump is doing it's job.

    I am disabled, so I simply hire my local mechanic that I have used for years to do my oil changes. I buy a new Toyota Oil Filter, one crush washer for the drain plug and take that along with 3.5 quarts of synthetic Mobil 1 to my mechanic. He changes the oil for me and moves the tires around once every 5000 miles. Air Filter and Cabin Filter are also very easy to change. I can do both of them in less than five minutes with no tools needed.

    It doesn't matter if you do the work or if Toyota does it. What matters is that the maintenance is done on schedule, and that receipts are kept for documentation in case of warranty work down the road.

    A Prius is very easy to maintain. Anyone who has a decent set of tools and a little mechanical ability can do it. Take some time to read the owners manual where it talks about maintenance. Then you will see that there really is not a lot that has to be done.

    About the only thing the dealer does on ours is alignments and throttle bore cleaning. All the rest of it is either done by myself or my mechanic. And when I do have the dealer do anything, I make sure it is what I want, not what they think I need.

    We don't call them stealers for nothing. Hope this helps you.
     
    #8 dorunron, Nov 14, 2013
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