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Toyota Prius Basic Care & Maintenance

262 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 12:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Auto Repair, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback

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#239 of 262 Re: 2002 Prius - Normal Wear & Tear? [caprius02] by railroadjames Aug 09, 2009 (10:08 am)
Replying to: caprius02 (Aug 09, 2009 9:02 am) While I too own a 2nd gen Prius, I also have concerns when the warrantee expired but the important thing is about finding a trustworthy dealer or independent mechanic. This can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Good luck in that dept. Good regular maintenance is a must. One important alturnitive is good "used" replacement parts that can be at a considerable savings thru ebay etc....I presently have 103K miles on an '04. p.s. I once went to a Major Brake & Muffler Shop for a brake problem on an old 93 Ford 150. He called and said I needed major repairs to the tune of $1,400.00 so I went down to the dealer and inspected his explanation and then told him to just replace the brake line that was initially requested. He did at a cost of $67.00 and the truck has been fine for 2 yrs. Buyer beware!!
#240 of 262 Re: 2002 Prius - Normal Wear & Tear? [caprius02] by whitey9 Aug 09, 2009 (11:49 am)
Replying to: caprius02 (Aug 09, 2009 9:02 am) I am dismayed to hear you had to have your Prius' fuel tank replaced for unknown reasons. If someone asked me to pay $$$$ for anything, I would know for sure why. Also, the ECU was replaced. Which one? Was it the one NOT covered by the 8yr/80K mi warranty? Or since it was just past 80K, and you do not trust your dealer's service department weren't they willing to "participate"? As for the "groaning/squeaking" noise, there is a rubber boot and bushing where the steering shaft passes thru the firewall. Sometimes when even new, but esp when older, this needs to be lubricated to avoid a creaking/groaning sound that may even sound like the steering wheel itself is noisy. I hope you really did need the complete rack ass'y, and did get your money's worth. I have and '86, a '98, and an '07. I put a rack in the '86 Camry after it began leaking after 155K mi, and now my 157K mi Sienna is leaking. NOT creaking/groaning 'tho. Good luck finding a truthful, competent mechanic. Replies to this message: caprius02 (Aug 09, 2009 5:07 pm)
#241 of 262 Re: 2002 Prius - Normal Wear & Tear? [whitey9] by caprius02 Aug 09, 2009 (5:07 pm)
Replying to: whitey9 (Aug 09, 2009 11:49 am) The ECU was P/N 89661-47054, and I was told that if I didn't get it replaced, the car would likely stall at some time while I was driving it, which would be a road hazard. Since it was 10K over the 80K warranty, I was told it didn't qualify. Should I have questioned this? I'm terribly suspicious of dealers, particularly since I know nothing about cars (and am female, as I'm sure you can tell).   When I declined the gas tank as first, the message on my invoice read: "Declined gas tank and relay; engine light or stalling condition will come back." So, I asked that the technician please take a second look to see if the gas tank really needed replacing, in which case I would go ahead with it. Here's the message: "Inspection verifies gas tank malfunction; replaced gas tank"   I really wish I could have spoken directly to the technician, but I was relegated to the "advisor"; is this normal?   As for the creaking/groaning sound, I've been asking about lubrication for the last couple of oil changes but was just told that was not the issue... I'll question the shop again before going ahead with the complete rack and pinion replacement, but I think I may be stuck, as the non-dealer shop made me prepay for a special-order part.   Anyone know of a good mechanic or shop in the South Bay?
#242 of 262 Extended Warranty by wvgasguy Aug 10, 2009 (5:42 am)
And people are giving me grief for thinking that a 125,000 mile Platimun warranty is a good consideration. Replies to this message: whitey9 (Aug 10, 2009 6:01 am) wvgasguy (Aug 14, 2009 5:29 am)
#243 of 262 Re: Extended Warranty [wvgasguy] by whitey9 Aug 10, 2009 (6:01 am)
Replying to: wvgasguy (Aug 10, 2009 5:42 am) Yeah, I know what you mean. I bought the 100k mi Toyota extended service plan. That is in addition to the 8yr/100K mi warranty on "most" of the hybrid system. It was about $2K, but I was slightly wary of the repair costs, and the "guessing ability" of the service department if the hybrid system, or any other "covered" component needs repair. My dealership relies on the service writer to diagnose much of the malfunctions while the car is on the drive during write-up. I bought the service plan to ease my mind. But it was $2K after all. Replies to this message: wvgasguy (Aug 14, 2009 5:29 am)
#244 of 262 Re: Extended Warranty [whitey9] by wvgasguy Aug 14, 2009 (5:29 am)
Replying to: whitey9 (Aug 10, 2009 6:01 am) That can be found considerably cheaper. More like $1055. They now offer a 125K mile warranty.
#245 of 262 independent mechanics? by xenoninjax Aug 15, 2009 (8:49 pm)
im very new here and im trying to find a prius right now. my question is, are independent mechanics capable of fixing prius? it's for my mom and she heard that only the dealers can repair malfunctions. her other concern's the battery replacement every 3 years, which i know isnt true and covered by the 10year warranty. Replies to this message: snowboarder4 (Aug 16, 2009 3:31 am) whitey9 (Aug 16, 2009 5:05 am) wvgasguy (Aug 16, 2009 5:41 pm)
#246 of 262 Prius maintenance and repairs by snowboarder4 Aug 16, 2009 (3:31 am)
Replying to: xenoninjax (Aug 15, 2009 8:49 pm) I discussed the Prius with my trusted independent mechanic before my purchase because I am about 80 miles away from a Toyota Dealer. My mechanic assured me that he could handle any problems. Furthermore, there are very few maintenance problems with a Prius. In two years, I have had none. I buy tires at an independent provider. I buy routine maintenance parts at a parts store that regularly has the Prius parts in stock. I do my own routine maintenance. The Prius, by all reports that I have seen, is not going to need new batteries essentially over the lifetime of the vehicle. I always carry an air pump and a spare battery to jump start cars and power the air pump. I have also lobbied Toyota to open a dealership near me so that I can convince more people to buy a Prius.
#247 of 262 Re: independent mechanics? [xenoninjax] by whitey9 Aug 16, 2009 (5:05 am)
Replying to: xenoninjax (Aug 15, 2009 8:49 pm) If "Mom" is afraid of the possibility at the prospective ownership of a Prius, then get her a Focus. Maybe she would feel more at ease with a "conventional" car. The fact is, most of the Prius is just like most other cars. It does NOT have a nuclear reactor, and one need not be a computer programmer to operate it. Unless she drives "a lot", she might be better suited to a non-Prius type of automobile.
#248 of 262 Re: independent mechanics? [xenoninjax] by wvgasguy Aug 16, 2009 (5:41 pm)
Replying to: xenoninjax (Aug 15, 2009 8:49 pm) Buy the 8 yr 125,000 warranty and she'll never have to take it to the local mechanic. They'll tow the car to Toyota if it ever breaks down.

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