Dealership shenanigans?

[Dave Hess]

They may have not changed the fluid.

I would have waited till warm spring weather and change it.

I don’t want anybody touching my car.

 

[VersysVsWhat]

Keep in mind the Prius C uses a nicad battery pack instead of a Lithium ion battery pack. Maybe this is part of the cost as cadmium is really toxic and I'm sure fairly expensive to recycle.

I'm not sure, but I called 3 or 4 different dealers in the area and the prices all varied. Between the highest and lowest it was about a thousand dollars difference, which I was surprised by.

I found a guy last summer who uses all new OEM batteries and did it for 2800, which was considerably less than all the dealers (I was wrong earlier about less than half the price of that one dealer. I checked my records recently). Apparently we got it done at the right time because I just checked his site and its gone up to 3600.

I think the cost difference is mostly overhead. The guy I found is a one man show who specializes in replacing hybrid batteries.

 

[VersysVsWhat]

The trans oil change may have been forgotten by accident, since they rarely change the fluid? Not a big deal I guess for that transmission, but shows that even charging premium dollars, it doesn't always buy premium service.

As for dealers overcharging for things like batteries, that's their business decision, as big numbers like that can either sell a new car, or make lots of money, or send the customer away. I think dealers sometimes get stuck having to use overpriced parts, or use the full complicated procedure which requires many other new overpriced parts?

Probably finding a knowledgeable independent toyota hybrid specialist would be the best for your battery swap? Or DIY if you can get comfortable with that. I think that era of battery can have individual cells replaced even, a dedicated Prius forum should have all the info you need.

I brought it in specifically and only for that though.

That's exactly what I did this past early summer. The battery pack still had life left in it when we changed it at about 200k. But I had noticed a change starting to happen, and as the height of summer/high temps was approaching, and we were about to go on a long road trip, I just didn't want to chance it. We got it done for $2800 using all new OEM batteries. Guy was super nice with a great vibe as well.

I probably could have done the job myself and saved some money, but I'm definitely not an accomplished/skilled mechanic type and at the time was burnt out from working 3 jobs for awhile.

 

[VersysVsWhat]

They may have not changed the fluid.

I would have waited till warm spring weather and change it.

I don’t want anybody touching my car.

That's the plan from here on out for sure.

We do have a small, family owned, pretty honest, reasonable, and knowledgeable mechanic shop that we go for more complicated/harder things (I'm just not that skilled, especially not for experimenting on someone else's car. And I only have free time/energy during part of late spring to mid summer time). In hindsight, I'm not sure why I didn't bring it to them at the time. I think at the time I was under the conception that Toyota WS fluid "had" to be used, and I was worried that they might put something else in there. Now I know better as I understand the transmission more/better than I had.

 

[nascarnation]

As mentioned upthread, the Prius transmission is not complex and no reason to think it's hard on the fluid.
No torque converter. Called a cvt but not a belt/sheave cvt they do it with the electric motor.

Unfortunately I didn't ask this guy:

N

Thread 'Prius taxi guy, 1 million km'

Oct 4, 2024

Spent a few days in Vancouver BC on my way to Alaska. Got a taxi from the airport to downtown. Toyota Prius C. Just turned over 1 million kilometers on the original powertrain. Car looked and ran quite well. Guy slices through traffic like Earnhardt at Talladega. Between him and his brother and cousin they're running about 14 hours a day 7 days a week. Asked him about maintenance and he said he changes oil every 10,000 km and uses whatever is on sale at Canadian Tire.

• nascarnation
• Replies: 32
• Forum: Passenger Car Motor Oil (PCMO) - Gasoline Vehicles

• 
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if he had done any trans fluid changes.

 

[Shel_B]

I don’t think you have any reason to doubt that the work was done at 175k. By the time the transmission got to you at 221k, it was far more worn and degraded than it was at 100k. Love that you are keeping this car going, but maybe a little perspective: it’s the cheapest Prius, well into its second decade, with high miles and failing batteries. I assume that the transmission is working okay and don’t see why you are claiming dealer shenanigans that happened years ago (most likely did not happen imo) when the real questions are whether you invest more in this aging sled.

The OP did not claim dealer dishonesty or shenanigans. He in fact asked of anyone has heard of such things and commented that he had. I read his post twice and could not see where he claimed the dealer was dishonest. Did I miss that somehow?

 

[martinq]

What wear material? This transmission has a couple of gears and no planetaries nor clutches.

Exactly, yet the fluid was ... "recently changed it again at 221k, and it was black/super dark". Transmission fluid stays clear once the transmission is broken in and not overheated.

 

[martinq]

That seems a little overkill seeing as how robustly built and durable these transmissions are and how easy they are on fluid. There are reports of people going 200 to 300k miles on the original fluid. I would never do that, but every other oil change seems excessive. ...

Every other engine oil change until the fluid and magnets stay clean. Once the gearbox is broken in, AND clean, the fluid will go a long way, maybe even as long as the mfg recommended service. Running a tranny with dark fluid (grinding compound) is never a good idea.

Or ... get it tested.

 

[TomYoung]

The OP did not claim dealer dishonesty or shenanigans. He in fact asked of anyone has heard of such things and commented that he had. I read his post twice and could not see where he claimed the dealer was dishonest. Did I miss that somehow?

I took my cues from the OP and the title of the thread : “Dealership shenanigans.” I also note that he said he would not take the car to that dealer again. I think that the post leaves some doubt, and most responders, including me, suggested that nothing dishonest or underhanded happened. I would allow that it might have happened. In response to your comment, I would say that the original poster might not be making an accusation, but very much is thinking out loud that he may have been a victim of shenanigans. Does it make a difference at this point ? Probably not.

 

[TomYoung]

The transmission is doing fine. I only changed it this early for peace of mind having seen some people speak about Toyota dealer shenanigans in relation to trans fluid.

Like I said to the previous poster, this car may be only be between 1/2 to 2/3rds of its life. It's running great and has been a fantastic, low maintenance, lost cost, high MPG car. Also, not my car and not my decision. My spouse loves her car and plans to drive it till it dies/needs to be replaced.

Btw, I was not claiming that there were definitely dealership shenanigans, I was only wondering out loud if there could be based on some observations of self and others. Big difference. I do generally practice, or try to, innocent until proven guilty.

Agreed. I may have added too much in my interpretation of your comments. On the high mileage comments, I wish you and your spouse many more safe and reliable miles in this car. In my travels, including a Midwest city that has a mostly-Prius fleet, I see 400-500k taxis frequently, and you can be certain they have lived tougher miles!

 

[VersysVsWhat]

No worries Tom.

Cheers