Any private Toyota specialists or mechanics specializing in Hybrid cars ?

[ucsmfu]

i'm looking to get a full maintenance for my Prius but not at dealership pricing.

let me know if you guys have any recommendations.

thanks

[narfy]

most prius' only ever need fluid changes, the occasional belt, and maybe spark plugs every 150,000km...

most repair shops should be able to do the oil and filter changes...
i would recommend going to the dealer for coolant because it's difficult to bleed the inverter if you don't know what you are doing...
i would recommend going to the dealer for transmission fluid because it is a fill from below system and requires a scanner/tablet to check transmission temperatures during the fill process...
i would recommend going to the dealer for brake fluid - most shops don't realize there is no real direct connection between the pedal and the calipers... so brake fluid is not changed the conventional way...

brakes last a very long time in prius' due to regenerative braking taking a majority of the load, so aside from fluids, there isn't much those cars need...

i'd say get any general mechanic or mr. lube or whoever to do your engine oil changes, and take your car to the dealer once every year or two and have them give it a check over for fluids and other maintenance related items...

[ucsmfu]

i'm at 50k, i'm needing a full maintenance, the dealership pricing for the 64 parts that need to be inspected is around $170, is it worth it ?

or should i just do the oil change myself and just get the other parts checked out as well ?

thanks

[narfy]

what year is your prius?

the $170 is a service inspection including an oil and filter change... during this service, they may find other items that require attention... those additional items are NOT included in the $170...

you can do the oil changes every other service, but every year or so, or every second or third oil change, i suggest getting the $170 "maintenance service" done... the dealer technicians are trained to look at each vehicle thoroughly, and record their findings... you are in no way required to have the additional recommended items done right away... but i do suggest getting them done sooner or later...

these cars are pretty low maintenance... and everybody knows that... so chances are, if they find something, it's prolly not somethign you can ignore...

[ucsmfu]

thanks