About to hit 30K by the end of the month

Hello all- My 2006 is about to turn 30K probably by the end of this month. To date I've done all of the maintenance myself with the exception of the first oil change- never had an issue. Have all of the receipts, etc. I even rotate the tires in my garage...painful @ times.

I've been thinking for a while to get the 30K done @ a Toyota shop in case any new software, etc. is needed. So I called Gresham Toyota and they told me it would cost about $325 and mentioned about everything under the sun would be done. If I remember correctly @ 30K you need: oil/filter, rotation, cabin filter, engine filter + general inspections. Gresham insists I need the coolant changed and the brakes taken apart for inspection???? - I said no. So I called Gladstone (where I purchased the car) and tell me $450. What??? So I quiz them and of course there's a list of inspecting things like battery felts, door hinges, visor light, etc they tell me to justify the $450. I asked for just the items on the maintenance schedule and it comes out to $120. The most expensive part is the cabin filter @ $56 which I may just replace myself. In order for them to plug the prius into their computer for a "Tune Check" it will cost $72.00 more.

Anyone have good luck @ other dealers around town? I'm will to pay $100- $150 for the basics. I'd like to know if I need a software update, etc. My car is running right so I don't know if $72 for a 2 minute computer kiss is worth it. If this turns into a circus I'll just do everything myself and document it.

Suggestions?

Thank you,
Brian

Hi Brian. There have been no "software updates" for your 2006 Prius. You can buy a cabin air filter from MetroTPN.com (a Toyota dealer in Ohio) for $15. They have other good prices on genuine Toyota parts too. Other than the air filters for engine and cabin, the 30K mile service is just like any 5K mile service. On PriusChat.com there is some discussion recommending changing fluids at 60K miles, but for now you should be good. If you are interested in a Toyota extended warranty, you can get a good deal there too.

If anyone has had good service experience with local dealers, please add it to the pinned thread here, as well as responding to Brian. Thanks.

Thanks. I was thinking 30K might be a good time to have a Toyota rep service the car just to catch anything I may have missed. Also to have on record they serviced the car @30K and no problems were reported. I just may end up just doing the service myself...

Re: 60K yes I've read about the transmission fluid, etc. needing to be changed (or highly recommended). I already have the instructions on how to do this when the time comes. The coolant/inverter coolant I won't touch since there's a chance air bubbles could be introduced which could mess the interver up.

Thanks for the tip on the filter. Charging $56 for the cabin filter is highway robbery. On the advice of another Priuschat user I removed the cabin filter a fews ago and gave it a bath to clean it up- worked well. As for the extended warranty I haven't pulled the trigger on this. I inquired about this a few months back and the cost is around $900 or so. I may wait until 35,500 before I buy it.

My opinion of most service techs is not high too high unless you are willing to pay for a diagnostic technician. The people who service your car for a 30K mile job are probably NOT trained Hybrid techs, so wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. If you follow the warranty schedule you should have no problem from Toyota if you actually DO need service.

I am coming to the opinion that the extended warranty ($990 from the PriusChat site) was more valuable for the 2004/2005 cars. There have been reports of display failures in Prius from those years. I know my 2007 Prius is a better car than my 2005 Prius, though most things are the same. If you do decide to get the extended warranty, just don't go over the 36 months/36,000 miles threshold.

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the Prius tips. I don't get in to look at the threads very often but sure saves some money. I have had my 5,000 mile oil changes done locally at Capital Toyota of Salem and they do a decent job...love the free car wash during winter months. I usually get a small coupon discount on my oil changes from their flyers. I bit once and had them do some checks on one of the recommended maintenance checks but not any more...big waste of money for them checking stuff on the car that them must know would hardly ever be damaged.
My 30,000 mile check up will happen within a month or so and just ordered the cabin filter ($22.47 with shipping) that I will probably change myself if I find out how its done. Probably in the manual? Anyway, I hope others read this thread. Jim from Salem

Hi Jim. It's pretty easy to change both the engine air filter and the cabin air filter. A Prius driver calling himself John1701a has a web site detailing his ownership of both a classic and current model Prius. He wrote a procedure, with pictures, on how to change the Air Conditioner Filter.

Bill Merchant

Hello all- My 2006 is about to turn 30K probably by the end of this month. To date I've done all of the maintenance myself with the exception of the first oil change- never had an issue. Have all of the receipts, etc. I even rotate the tires in my garage...painful @ times.

I've been thinking for a while to get the 30K done @ a Toyota shop in case any new software, etc. is needed. So I called Gresham Toyota and they told me it would cost about $325 and mentioned about everything under the sun would be done. If I remember correctly @ 30K you need: oil/filter, rotation, cabin filter, engine filter + general inspections. Gresham insists I need the coolant changed and the brakes taken apart for inspection???? - I said no. So I called Gladstone (where I purchased the car) and tell me $450. What??? So I quiz them and of course there's a list of inspecting things like battery felts, door hinges, visor light, etc they tell me to justify the $450. I asked for just the items on the maintenance schedule and it comes out to $120. The most expensive part is the cabin filter @ $56 which I may just replace myself. In order for them to plug the prius into their computer for a "Tune Check" it will cost $72.00 more.

Anyone have good luck @ other dealers around town? I'm will to pay $100- $150 for the basics. I'd like to know if I need a software update, etc. My car is running right so I don't know if $72 for a 2 minute computer kiss is worth it. If this turns into a circus I'll just do everything myself and document it.

Suggestions?

Thank you,
Brian

HI.
My 2007 Prius has had all it's work done at Beaverton Toyota, all just routine maintanence.
The 15K cost $175, and that included a wiper replacement with the premium Rain-X types.
The cabin air filter was $31.95.
I always take it to Patrice Porter, who is top notch, knows Toyotas completely, very knowlegable, always is friendly, and good looking, to boot!
I highly recommend her and beaverton Toyota, as they are always top notch!!!
Mike Colwell