Service And Parts

[Chippy01]

My 2007 GenII T-Spirit was first registered in the UK, imported into Ireland by a small independant dealer, which I bought off in June last year.

Today I took it to my local Toyota garage and it had it's 50,000 mile service.

Total came to €270, which I thought wasn't too bad for a main dealer service.

On collecting the car, the service manager mentioned a couple of things that will need looking at soon.

First was the spark plugs, which will definately be needed at the next (60,000 mile) service. I know that they will be Iridium Long Life plugs, but he quoted me at €30 each + VAT!!! Surely this can't be right?

Next is rear brake discs and pads. I know these need doing as the corrosion and pitting on the discs can be clearly seen through the wheel. With the amount of pitting showing, the rear pads will most certainly be getting a hammering. For new discs, pads, fitting and VAT he quoted me €258. Does this sound reasonable?

On the plus side however, he also informed me of an outstanding water pump recall that is due on my car, and that this will be done F.O.C.

He will call me when the part comes in, arrange a convenient time to collect the car from me, do the work, and drop it back. Now that can't be bad.

[ian rooke]

Hi just checked price of Iridium long life spark plugs they are about £5.00 to £6.00 each.I would tell the dealer that I would supply them.The brake disc's and pads sounds reasonable it is something I would not trust to kwik fit anyway.

[Ancient Nerd]

I've just had a 50,000 mile service on my Gen III (It is almost exactly the same as for the Gen II) Cost was just under £70, although I supplied the oil. It would have been around £145 if the dealer had supplied the oil. So your cost seems high, even allowing for the exchange rate. Don't forget, the 50,000 mile service is an intermediate service, with the cost of the oil as just over half the total cost.

On the other hand, there are other things that may be required on a time basis, because the car is x years old. Or there be something that resulted fromm an inspection, such as the cabin/pollen filter.

For my service, the only parts supplied were the oil filter kit, drain plug gasket and screen wash. Anything else you were charged is likely to be an extra.

[ian rooke]

Hi £75 for oil seems a bit dear Opie Oils it's £50 inc delivery I would knock your dealer into touch for being greedy.

[MSHasan]

The Iridium tipped spark plugs are supposed to last a 120,000 miles. Only reason for replacing at 50,000 would be if you don't want them to be 'baked in' and difficult to remove at a higher mileage - but this should be YOUR decision. Unless there's something specifically wrong, your dealer should not be saying the plugs need to be replaced at 50K

[Chippy01]

I've just had a 50,000 mile service on my Gen III (It is almost exactly the same as for the Gen II) Cost was just under £70, although I supplied the oil. It would have been around £145 if the dealer had supplied the oil. So your cost seems high, even allowing for the exchange rate. Don't forget, the 50,000 mile service is an intermediate service, with the cost of the oil as just over half the total cost.

On the other hand, there are other things that may be required on a time basis, because the car is x years old. Or there be something that resulted fromm an inspection, such as the cabin/pollen filter.

For my service, the only parts supplied were the oil filter kit, drain plug gasket and screen wash. Anything else you were charged is likely to be an extra.

OK, I just checked the receipt.

50,000 mile service, and parts:-

Brake flush and new fluid (Dot 5.1),

Oil change (using the correct 5W/30 oil),

Oil filter,

Sump washer,

Air filter,

Pollen filter,

New wipers front and rear (I knew they were bad so no surprise there).

Taken into the workshop about 2:30pm, and got the call that it was ready at 4:10pm.

I'm sure that the car was also linked up to their diagnostic program just to make sure everything else was in order.

[Chippy01]

The iridium tipped spark plugs are supposed to last a 120,000 miles. Only reason for replacing at 50,000 would be if you don't want them to be 'baked in' and difficult to remove at a higher mileage - but this should be YOUR decision. Unless there's something specifically wrong, your dealer should not be saying the plugs need to be replaced at 50K

120,000 seems to be an awful long time for plugs to be in an engine.

I was always under the impression that Iridium/Platinum long life plugs were meant to last 60,000 miles or 100,000 kilometres.

I also applied for a quote from an online Toyota parts outlet for rear brake discs, pads, and plugs.

Here is what I got back:-

Thank you for your enquiry.

Back brake pads cost €46.18. With your online discount it will cost you €41.56.

Rear discs cost €72.00 each. With your online discount it will cost you €64.80 each.

There two types of long life plugs.

Type A costs €15.77 each. With your online discount it will cost you €14.20 each.

Type B costs €35.23 each. With your online discount it will cost you €31.71 each.

All of the above prices are inclusive of vat.

[Ancient Nerd]

Hi £75 for oil seems a bit dear Opie oils it's £50 inc delivery I would knock your dealer into touch for being greedy.

Hi Ian,

I agree completely about the oil price. That is why the service cost me £67, as I supplied the oil (courtesy of Opie), and have done for the last four services. The remaining service charge is excellent compared with similar services on other makes. And the dealer is otherwise very good.

[britprius]

I've just had a 50,000 mile service on my Gen III (It is almost exactly the same as for the Gen II) Cost was just under £70, although I supplied the oil. It would have been around £145 if the dealer had supplied the oil. So your cost seems high, even allowing for the exchange rate. Don't forget, the 50,000 mile service is an intermediate service, with the cost of the oil as just over half the total cost.

On the other hand, there are other things that may be required on a time basis, because the car is x years old. Or there be something that resulted fromm an inspection, such as the cabin/pollen filter.

For my service, the only parts supplied were the oil filter kit, drain plug gasket and screen wash. Anything else you were charged is likely to be an extra.

OK, I just checked the receipt.

50,000 mile service, and parts:-

Brake flush and new fluid (Dot 5.1),

Oil change (using the correct 5W/30 oil),

Oil filter,

Sump washer,

Air filter,

Pollen filter,

New wipers front and rear (I knew they were bad so no surprise there).

Taken into the workshop about 2:30pm, and got the call that it was ready at 4:10pm.

I'm sure that the car was also linked up to their diagnostic program just to make sure everything else was in order.

Plugs should be removed at 60,000 and anti seize compound put on the threads and refitted they are designed to last 120,000 miles. The brake fluid flush is not required by Toyota but it does flush your wallet and this requires connection to service computer to accomplish. Normal break systems may need this to remove water dissolved in the fluid to stop it boiling at the high temperatures they work at, but the Prius uses regen breaking and rarely get even warm this is why the disc pads last so long and the discs get rusty. To clean the discs drive at 50mph on an open road put the car in neutral and brake steadily, do this several times this forces use of the discs, a long down hill run using the breaks in neutral has the same effect but do not exceed 50mph

[Ancient Nerd]

The Prius service sheet calls for spark plug replacement at 60,000 miles/6 years. So I'm due for that at the next service. As also the brake fluid replacement, which is needed every two years. IIRC, the fluid absorbs water over time and loses effectiveness, so that was neccessary.

Given the other things you've had replaced, the price seems within bounds. However, I suggest that you replace your own Wiper Blades when necessary. It only takes a few minutes, and it can save you a fair amount.

BTW, you shouldn't need brake pads and discs for a long time, as long as you use them once a week or so to stop corrosion and keep them free. Brake firmly in Neutral to make sure you are not using regen braking.

[britprius]

The Prius service sheet calls for spark plug replacement at 60,000 miles/6 years. So I'm due for that at the next service. As also the brake fluid replacement, which is needed every two years. IIRC, the fluid absorbs water over time and loses effectiveness, so that was neccessary.

Given the other things you've had replaced, the price seems within bounds. However, I suggest that you replace your own wiper blades when necessary. It only takes a few minutes, and it can save you a fair amount.

BTW, you shouldn't need brake pads and discs for a long time, as long as you use them once a week or so to stop corrosion and keep them free. Brake firmly in Neutral to make sure you are not using regen braking.

The Prius service sheet says remove and inspect plugs at 60,000 miles (not change) but some dealers do not read the word inspect. I have just checked the service manual and there is no instruction for break fluid change interval. The fluid container should not be opened unless topping up is needed, the system is sealed and it is only while the cap is removed that moisture can enter. The pistons in the callipers are plastic not steel as in normal cars showing just how much cooler the break system components run.

As for spark plugs remember the Prius engine only runs at 4,000rpm max but normally less than 2,000rpm (if at all and not while stationary such as at traffic lights) this is less than half the speed of conventional engines so fewer sparks per mile longer plug life.

[Chippy01]

Well, seeing that the weekend was fine, my partner and I decided to check out the brake and spark plug issue that the dealer reckoned I was looking at, after the last service.

One wheel at a time, we removed the wheels, removed the caliper from the carrier, removed the caliper carrier, and removed the discs.

The discs and caliper carrier were given a liberal brushing with a wire brush, and the a quick rub with 150 grit emery cloth. I cleaned the actual caliper with a brass wire brush just to remove the dirt (I didn't disconnect the caliper itself from the car. I ain't that brave/stupid...lol).

Judging by the lack of 'spanner marks' on the bolts, I would say that the mechanic took one look at the corrosion on the discs and pronounced ''New brakes and discs needed here'', and didn't even attempt to check thier actual condition. The pads themselves were near perfect, except for a bit of glazing on them which we roughed up with emery cloth.

A dab of new grease on the slider pins, and they were reassembled looking a lot better than when we took them off.

The spark plugs were next, and they were a job and a half to get out. Very tight, so tight I thought at one stage that they might be siezed in place. But a little loosening/tightening technique eventually got them out.

I carefully cleaned them up with a toothbrush, and put them back with a little copper grease on the threads.

They should be good for another 50,000 miles, but if I start getting misfiring issues I'll replace them.

I took the code from the plug and did some searching.

The ideal plugs for the Gen II Prius is either a Denso SK 16R11 (these are the type in my car), or an NGK IFR 5A11. Both these types come in at around €14/€15 per plug.

Cleaning the brakes and checking out the plugs took us about 6/7 hours, but it's put my mind at rest that what I have is still good, and I can keep the guts of €400 in my pocket.

And yesterday, the dealer called us to say that the pump has arrived. The car is being collected tomorrow for the recall work.

[Mkuk0]

Fair play to you sir for taking the time and trouble, 400 Euros saved is VERY nice too!

[acetip]

The Prius service sheet calls for spark plug replacement at 60,000 miles/6 years. So I'm due for that at the next service. As also the brake fluid replacement, which is needed every two years. IIRC, the fluid absorbs water over time and loses effectiveness, so that was neccessary.

Given the other things you've had replaced, the price seems within bounds. However, I suggest that you replace your own wiper blades when necessary. It only takes a few minutes, and it can save you a fair amount.

BTW, you shouldn't need brake pads and discs for a long time, as long as you use them once a week or so to stop corrosion and keep them free. Brake firmly in Neutral to make sure you are not using regen braking.

The Prius service sheet says remove and inspect plugs at 60,000 miles (not change) but some dealers do not read the word inspect. I have just checked the service manual and there is no instruction for break fluid change interval. The fluid container should not be opened unless topping up is needed, the system is sealed and it is only while the cap is removed that moisture can enter. The pistons in the callipers are plastic not steel as in normal cars showing just how much cooler the break system components run.

As for spark plugs remember the Prius engine only runs at 4,000rpm max but normally less than 2,000rpm (if at all and not while stationary such as at traffic lights) this is less than half the speed of conventional engines so fewer sparks per mile longer plug life.