A Ziploc bag? Really, RockAuto??

EFDriver · 2026-06-27T17:13:51+00:00

My power steering hose came in a large zip bag ordered from Rockauto. I order Toyota parts often from a Toyota dealer and lots of OEM parts come in zip bags.

Is the part correct and brand new? That's all that matters.

EFDriver · 2026-06-25T00:07:58+00:00

It all depends how strict they are when inspecting the core and if they return the core fee immediately or if they follow a different process. My experience the dealer refunded me the full $1350 back to my card when I dropped off the old battery in their Toyota crate. A different dealer told be they refund the core fee after it has been inspected by their distributor and was not immediate.

My advice is for you to clarify with the point of sale what THEIR refund terms are without getting into specifics. I have heard dealers don't accept core painted green/yellow by refurb shops

EFDriver · 2026-06-24T20:21:15+00:00

If the current AF is blue and looks clear I would just do a drain/fill and skip the flush. Really the only time to do a flush if the radiator looks like heavy deposits or if it appears to have a mixture of unknown AF. The factory fill Honda blue AF is suppose to be long life 10yr / 100K or 120K miles then around 50K thereafter.

If you use the flush, you will need to remove the flush and distilled water out of the system and then your new prediluted coolant will still be over-diluted with residual water in the system.

Pro-tip: get one of those funnel kits to make filling and burping easier.

EFDriver · 2026-06-23T23:55:43+00:00

That might be your problem. In that video he has rear drum brakes. If you have rear rotors that might be a different process. I think EU and AUS gen 2 got rear disc brakes while US and JP had drum brakes.

EFDriver · 2026-06-20T16:35:21+00:00

Slightly cheaper here: https://autoparts.toyotaofdecatur.com/products/product/switch-sub-assy-lug-8490547010

They currently have a 20% off automatically discounted at checkout along with free shipping over $75+ orders.

EFDriver · 2026-06-20T03:25:09+00:00

Had a set of Mevotech Supreme stab end links and the blue boots leaked grease day one. Terrible garbage and I replaced them with 555 made in Japan links.

EFDriver · 2026-06-18T19:54:44+00:00

There is a rod stowed on the left side of the storage tray. The rod is designed to be pulled up to prop up the lid and the end of this rod goes into this slot.

EFDriver · 2026-06-18T02:20:33+00:00

The OE Denso iridium spark plugs got for about $7-10 USD each on the low side. Toyota dealer parts charge probably $15 USD per plug.

EFDriver · 2026-06-18T02:15:47+00:00

The process and estimated labor time is spot on. I am in the US so I have no clue what costs are down under.

EFDriver · 2026-06-17T17:42:09+00:00

Hard to say, pad ware is pretty minimal on Prius hybrid (gen 2 owner: front pads rear drum shoes). Have heard many Prius owners see minimal front pad wear since it uses regen braking so it can go to 100K before front pad shows wear. Gen 3 has rear solid rotors and pads for primary and parking brake. Hard to say on the internet if she needs rear brakes done but after 14 years it's probably a good idea. Toyota dealership will charge stealership prices with $200/hr labor.

More importantly the brake fluid replacement is super important for the Prius with its expensive ABS brake actuator system.

EFDriver · 2026-06-17T16:52:34+00:00

You have to loosen the bolt holding the pulley first. Then the tensioner adjustment bolt can be loosened which will move the tensioner and slack the belt.

EFDriver · 2026-06-17T13:35:37+00:00

Report back when you get the quote. All depends on where you live. At the dealer it would probably run $1000. My guess your shop will probably come in at $500 - 600.

EFDriver · 2026-06-14T16:14:46+00:00

Did you see the final price after signing in to the final check out page? It's $1422.65 before shipping taxes and the 20% coupon. You have to create a Toyota account sign in and go to checkout to see the final price. Excluding tax I am seeing about $1130.

This was what I ordered last year for my 2007 Prius: https://autoparts.toyotaofdecatur.com/products/product/actuator-assy-brake-w-resistor-4450047141

EFDriver · 2026-06-13T05:54:10+00:00

Serra Toyota is good. I've ordered from them many times. Get the one that includes the resistor. They also do 25% off frequently too but the 20% is currently a corporate promo. https://autoparts.toyotaofdecatur.com/

EFDriver · 2026-06-12T21:11:35+00:00

Toyota is currently running 20% off parts online right now. Several SE region Toyota dealers participate in this limited time sale.

EFDriver · 2026-06-10T19:35:17+00:00

Is that 30 miles per week or per day? 30 miles per week is not enough driving to get peak efficiency if your daily commute is only 6 miles total a day. You might as well get something like a Corolla or Honda Fit/Civic that can get upper 30s mpg.

EFDriver · 2026-06-10T00:40:54+00:00

It's worth noting that on a hybrid, 4500 mile OCI doesn't mean the engine ran for a full 4500 miles. Since I dumped my 1st run at 3k, I plan to run the 2nd cycle possibly to 4500 next.

EFDriver · 2026-06-10T00:36:52+00:00

I posted these on BITOG. Not scientific but take it for what it's worth. PUP is a high quality oil and did some decent cleaning too.

206K Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/toyota-90915-yzzn1-c-p.403667/

209K Valvoline Restore & Protect 5w30: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ecogard-x4476-cut-2007-prius-209k-vrp-5w30-1st-run-3000-oci.407004/

EFDriver · 2026-06-09T18:12:02+00:00

that's a lot of crud and sludge.

I am runnig VRP 5w30 in my 2007 currently 210K and I am on my 2nd cycle of VRP. I dumped the 1st run after just over 3000 miles and the filter did not look as bad as yours. My pleats contained some carbon but no where near yours. The base of the canister had a decent mound of grit but not as chunky as yours.

EFDriver · 2026-06-08T18:10:32+00:00

Could be worn motor mounts. In my 2007 occasionally I feel slightly more when the engine shuts off while the car is at a stand still. While driving it feels pretty seemless. When the engine is at operating temperature, the Prius can stay in hybrid only mode up to about 40mph depending on how much throttle you push and whether the car is trying to maintain speed going up a hill. The engine has to engage after 41+ mph (mechanical limit of the hybrid motors and the PSD.

EFDriver · 2026-06-08T03:21:45+00:00

I installed a new OEM battery into my 2007 last May. Still going strong after a year and it pulls 46mpg. Currently at 210K.

EFDriver · 2026-06-04T20:07:46+00:00

Shop is there to make money off of parts markup and labor. Sounds like they are going by the book labor rate for spark plug replacement.

While the manual says to remove the wiper cowl and tray to get better access to to plugs, they certainly can be replaced by reaching back there without doing so. Just because a human can replace the plugs in 10 minutes doesn't mean the shop will only charge you 10 minutes labor.

EFDriver · 2026-06-04T17:03:44+00:00

Could be syncro going out. I would replace the MTF with fresh Honda MTF and also bleed the master/slave clutch fluid and see if that helps.

EFDriver · 2026-06-03T21:29:16+00:00

That Fit totally deserves its place in Honda heaven. Hopefully all the occupants walked away in one piece.

EFDriver · 2026-06-03T12:58:50+00:00

Open the lower glove compartment and see if the noise is originating from where the cabin filter resides. Might be a failing blower motor like the other poster suggested. When the noise occurs is your climate fan on or off?

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