I've tried my best to look online for a non-dealer mechanic who can work on Prius. I mean more simple things like draining the transmission fluid without explaining it needs the toyota replacement, etc. I'm looking for the Boston/Somerville/Cambridge area. Given the demographics of this area either every mechanic does this or there have to be some that only work on hybrids. Thanks again!
For stuff like transmission fluid changes maybe a PriusChat member in the area can help you out? It is a pretty easy DIY. From reports here, most of the cases of wrong fluid being used are non-dealer mechanics, fwiw. The name of the game is raise/level the car, drain, fill with Toyota ATF WS, till it starts coming back out.
There's a DIY auto shop about an hour away in Providence, with mechanics on hand to help. Haven't been there myself but it seems popular.
These folks in the Boston area train independent hybrid techs. I've never used them but did correspond once with Craig VanB and he was quick to reply, so they have a good vibe Auto Careers Development Center - Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair Training
To have a decent chance of getting it done right, with the transaxle fluid change: bring your own bottles, the right stuff. And might as well bring the fill and drain bolt washers. Then, they'll probably use a pump that's been used to pump other fluids, so there'll be some contamination, depending on how well they cleaned the pump.
as you said, any mech in cambridge/somerville should have the knowledge and experience. just quiz her before giving the go ahead.
All the mechs in canbridge/somerville are female? You learn something new every day here Thanks, Bisco.
What stupid answers you all gave to a decent question: “where are the specialist (Prius only...)” mechanics in the Boston area...
Leaving aside the nonsense above, does anyone know of a good non-dealer Prius-capable mechanic in the Arlington MA area, specifically one with experience diagnosing issues with the hybrid system?
Any experience with Firestone? They say specifically that they service hybrids, have a shop fairly semi-close.
Stay away from chain shops, they lie more than dealers. For funsies, ask them if they have Toyota tech stream diagnostic software, and if yes, describe your issue to them and report their response here