Dealership very well versed on the Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by FishHawk, Sep 10, 2006.

  1. FishHawk

    FishHawk New Member

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    I had my 5000 mile service which was just an oil change and tire rotation. I suggested that they set the tire pressure to 35 and 33. The response was that we don't do that we set the tires to only 32. I had to repeat myself and told them that's what the manual recommended. They finally did it at my request. Haven't really checked it myself to see it they got it right.
    Also, I work at the Honda store for the same dealership and they pulled apart a Civic hydrid because they thought it had malfunctioned. Turns out everything was ok and they took the car apart for nothing.

    What is going on here ? Seems as if most dealerships don't really know the car.
    FishHawk
     
    #1 FishHawk, Sep 10, 2006
  2. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I think some dealerships know them better than others.

    I take mine to Kearny Mesa Toyota. I tell them what I want (3 qts oil, 42/40) and they do it.

    I happened to go to the service department of Toyota San Diego (to get a quote on some body work) and the service guy asked *me* stuff. He said he's found that Prius Owners know more about their cars than any other car owner and most of the service people too. Of course, that may be changing as the Prius becomes more mainstream.

    If your service department is clueless, find another. Because when something more serious than tire pressure or an oil change comes up, you do NOT want these people working on your car. Call around and see if there is a dealership in your area that has a certified Prius tech. Look for the high volume dealerships first. I think they are more likely to have someone to service the cars they sell.

    Kearny Mesa Toyota sells a high volume of cars, so they have a certifified Prius tech on staff and I'm sure their other service people are learning the basics on the Prius as well.
     
    #2 Godiva, Sep 10, 2006
  3. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    depends on the techs working there, how many hybrids they see daily, etc. a high volume prius dealer is going to have more service experience because there are more in the area coming in for maintenance and/or repair.
     
    #3 galaxee, Sep 10, 2006
  4. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FishHawk @ Sep 10 2006, 09:27 AM) [snapback]317315[/snapback]</div>
    Which dealer, please?
     
    #4 richard schumacher, Sep 11, 2006
  5. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Hopefully it isn't Westboro. If not, you're close enough to
    Westboro Toyota that you should go there and raise these concerns
    to Gilles Labelle [and tell him I sent you if you like] and he'll
    very likely follow through in the right ways and/or send you to the
    right people up there.
    .
    _H*
     
    #5 hobbit, Sep 11, 2006
  6. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

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    :) Happily, not all Dealers are unfamiliar with the peculiarities of the Prius.

    My Dealer (Toyota of Richardson - Dallas TX) is very well versed in the Prius and, in addition, will follow my requests "to the letter" when I take my '04 in for service. The use my oil (3½ qts Mobil-1 5W30), rotate tires with my pressures (40 psi front/38 psi rear), their oil filter and deliver my Prius freshly washed.

    If you're in the Dallas TX area and seek a good Service Department, PM me and I'll provide more info.
     
    #6 Charles Suitt, Sep 12, 2006
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