Toyota Prius: 15,000 mile service

"Don Goyette" <net> wrote in message
news:jAxtg.106488$.. 

I'm looking at the 15,000 mile service requirement and don't see anything
different from the 10,000 mile ($39.95 here) other than some visual
inspections, some of which will be accomplished during steering recall. You
can make your own cabin filter from furnace filter foam at the hardware
store. In fact, you can make a lot of them from one furnace filter. My 15K
inspection is due in about 1K miles and will be performed in conjunction
with the recall. I'll let you know what they charge if I remember.

Bill wrote:
 
My dealership charged almost $270! I think next time I'm
going to do the calculations for the prepaid maintenance.
(Since this costs the same amt regardless of where you buy it
[I think], it might just make sense for service at a more
expensive dealership.)

I also got the recall work done at that time. I hadn't yet
received the notice (and was told they go out in waves) but
knew it pertained to my car.

--
Jean B.

In article <net>, "Jean B." <com>
wrote:

 

What did they do?

Many dealers have predefined one-size-fits-all service packages, and you
pay for the whole thing whether you need all of it or not. (Note, I am
*not* talking about prepaid maintenance plans.) Next time read the
Prius maintenance guide, show it to the service writer, and tell them to
perform only those items and no others.

Don Goyette wrote: 

Kudos for calling around to different dealers to get pricing, as
pricing can vary. 8)

Instead of calling around asking for the 15,000 mile service, call and
ask for what is specifically in your Prius Passport to Performance
(scheduled maintenance guide). You can view the page at
http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/ . The problem is that many
dealers will have different things that they like to "check" or fluids
they like to "change" for you at that specific service, whether or not
you need it (pretty much any multiple of 15,000 miles will have the
same results), which they like to recommend for every car that comes in
at that mileage.

Cabin air filter: I have no idea why the change interval was increased
from the Classic Prius' 22,500 mile/18 month service to the
2004-current Prius' 30,000 miles/36 months. At my 18 month services
the cabin air filter was usually filthy on my 2001!

Every so often (each service, if you can remember), you should probably
take your cabin air filter out (instructions are in the Owner's Manual
- this is the filter hiding behind the glove box) and shake out the
pollen, leaves, insects, and other particulate matter that has
accumulated on it. I've gone so far as to take my home vacuum to it,
or run it under the kitchen sink faucet for a few minutes.

This is really a DIY job - just purchase the part from your favorite
Toyota parts source. Or, you can make your own filter by visiting your
favorite home/hardware supply store, and purchase a home heating system
filter and cut it down to size (you can usually get several filter
changes this way - much more economical).

The engine air filter is also really easy to change/DIY, when the time
comes. But I suggest the Toyota part, not a home brew there.

The DIY for the air filters can save you some unneccessary labor
charges! And that way you can resort the mess that falls out of the
glove box they way you want it...