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Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance, Repair and Concerns

186 messages,  Last post on Jan 09, 2013 at 7:39 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Fit Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck

Messages Page 18 of 19

#167 of 186 Re: navigation system [palomar1] by dwakef

Jun 17, 2011 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: palomar1 (Aug 25, 2009 11:08 pm)
Yes, my 06 Civic nav sys stick (cursor controller) stopped working for every direction except one. A dealer said that was not repairable. To replace would cost about 2K! I decided to use my android phone when I need to browse around the map. Rip off.

#168 of 186 Re: hybridhell [rmgilden] by labrams2306

Jul 02, 2011 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: rmgilden (May 10, 2011 11:38 am)
I am having the exact same problem. Have they told you what the problem is yet?

#169 of 186 Re: hybridhell [rmgilden] by kmorrison1

Jul 23, 2011 (12:15 pm)

Replying to: rmgilden (May 10, 2011 11:38 am)
The same thing happened to my Escape Hybrid this morning. The dealership won't look at it until Monday. Sounds like they have a problem. Was it expensive?

#170 of 186 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement by jchutch

Feb 25, 2012 (4:05 pm)

I recently took my '08 Highlander Hybrid in for oil change and routine service at my local dealership. After inspecting the car, they told me that it needed a timing belt and water pump replacement for a cost of $795. Although I'm no expert on auto repair, this replacement seemed early for my car which only has 56k miles on it. The technician assured me that 60k was the appropriate time for this repair. Taking his word for it, I agreed to it as well as a fuel injection/throttle body emission service for $179 that was also recommended.
 
After returning home and checking online while the repairs were being done, I saw that Toyota doesn't recommend the timing belt replacement until 90k miles. I talked to the dealership manager about the difference in recommendations and he said that because we live in NJ that they are following "extreme conditions" suggestions which call for the earlier replacements.
 
I didn't buy his story and declined the emission service as well, thinking that it was bunk as well.
 
Has anyone else heard of this "extreme conditions" clause in timing belt replacement???

#171 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [jchutch] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 25, 2012 (5:08 pm)

Replying to: jchutch (Feb 25, 2012 4:05 pm)
Manufacturers do often have an 'extreme conditions" rule for timing belts but my impression was that this was for extremes of heat and cold, such as 110F or minus 20F, so I would say New Jersey doesn't qualify.

#172 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [jchutch] by srs_49

Feb 26, 2012 (9:30 am)

Replying to: jchutch (Feb 25, 2012 4:05 pm)
Dealers tend have a different definition of "extreme", or "severe duty" than does the manufacturer. Of course, it's the dealer that's making out if drivers are manipulated into thinking they need more maintenance than what the manufacturer thinks is warranted.
 
Always gotta ask - who's going to profit from this recommendation? In other words - just follow the money!

#173 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [srs_49] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 26, 2012 (9:56 am)

Replying to: srs_49 (Feb 26, 2012 9:30 am)
it makes no sense for NJ--this is simply not an extreme climate. I guess you could try to look this up in your owner's manual or call Toyota Customer Care.

#174 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander Hybrid Timing Belt Replacement [Mr_Shiftright] by whitey9

Feb 26, 2012 (11:17 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 26, 2012 9:56 am)
I just look at the edges of the belt, and if there are some OBVIOUS cracks, i replace it.

#175 of 186 press request by kirstie_h HOST

Feb 28, 2012 (1:00 pm)

A reporter is looking to interview parents who own a Chevy Cruze Eco, Toyota Prius V and/or Honda Civic Hybrid. If you are willing to share your experience with the car, please email PRedmunds.com no later than March 10, 2012.

#176 of 186 Bogus Prius Maintenance Concerns by new_yorker

Apr 20, 2012 (6:23 am)

I am an owner of a 2 year 3 month old 2010 Prius Five with the ATP, Nav, pretty much everything. I sold my 2007 Prius Touring to my sister who loves the car. Neither has had a dime in repairs from normal breakdown or wear items. I purchased my first Prius despite all kinds of Gloom & Doom Warnings about expensive hybrid batteries, and costly repairs. Even Edmunds review warns about buying a Used prius and expensive repairs possible. None of that nonsense has been born out by reality. In fact in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia the Prius is probably the most prevalent Taxi Cab model in the city, and has been for a long time. In case you don't know it, Taxi fleet owners are the people most averse to paying for expensive car repairs. The proliferation of the Prius as a Taxi has happened precisely because Taxi Fleet owners know what Edmunds and others obviously do not, that the Toyota Prius is, when it comes to repairs, practically Bullet Proof. Thay almost never breakdown. And nobody uses them more harshly or runs up the mileage higher than a fleet Taxi Cab. So by all means Buy a Used Prius, they exceed 300,000 miles routinely, and the Gen 3 models (2010 0nward) have even fewer moving parts to break than the older versions of the car. Don't give a moments thought to buying a properly maintained Prius as a used car.

Messages Page 18 of 19

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