Routine Maintenance and upgrades to system

[font=Comic Sans MS:58f111774c]I started a thread in Dealers and Pricing trying to identify GOOD dealers. It seems mostly oriented to purchasing a Prius, but I'd love to see a thread where people have found good mechanics, particularly Prius technicians. I know I wouldn't deal with my closest Toyota dealer even if they paid me, since it's such a sleaseball operation, IMO. But I hate to learn by trial-and-error, particularly if someone else has found a place/person they can recommend for service.

I wonder if Toyota has a list of Prius technicians by area?

I think your best bet is to get your service done by the guy you trust, and keep reading PriusChat and keep asking other Prius owners you meet for recommendations for service.[/font:58f111774c]

 

This has been mentioned before, but...

There is a difference between TSBs and campaigns. TSBs are alerts to service personnel about new repair procedures, or updates regarding repair of specific areas of the vehicle. A TSB is not a mandatory fix, nor should all TSBs be completed on a vehicle unless that vehicle experiences that problem. The fuel gage and filler neck issue with the early 2004 models was something that most, if not all, affected buyers should get taken care of, but there are other TSBs out there which are done on an as needed basis.

A campaign is more akin to a recall and owners of vehicles in the affected serial number range will probably get contacted, however that is never a guarantee. Toyota kind of has to know where you are living and we all know that Americans move, a lot.

But, the dealer I have had oil changes with keeps records in the system of when my vehicle showed up in their service facility and by punching in my VIN they are able to identify work done on the vehicle, but also work that should be done according to Toyota's database of TSBs and campaigns. I'm not sure every dealer is that well tied to corporate, but if I were running a garage I wouldn't think of not being connected to corporate in that manner.

TSBs are online. Try alldata.com

 

hdrygas, call up a dealer and ask them if your vehicle is eligible for any updates. they can look it up by your VIN i think. they should be able to tell you if your car is eligible for any updates, etc. if not, then keep bringing it to the guy you trust. if so, bring it to the dealer for the updates only.

 

Many have posted links to AllData that worked. Some of the search functions seem to require a subscription.

Punching in a VIN does not necessarily bring up TSBs that may apply to your vehicle.
EG038-4 came out in Sept 04. My car was made in June 04 and I bought it August 04. In December 04, I asked about the 40D and the brake switch issue. I didn't have the TSB numbers for the recalibration. They put my VIN into techinfo, and determined only the NAV DVD update was needed. Obviously the EG038 had not yet been implemented, but was not flagged.

Also, even if a dealer is aware of a TSB that may apply (many don't know about TSBs you may require), they may baulk about doing it if you have no symptoms.