Hey fellow Prius Owners,
I just had a very annoying experience with the service center at the dealership where I bought my 2002 Prius 2 years ago. I share it here in the hopes of hearing reactions from any of you that may have had a similar experiences or might have some wise advice, and to impress upon all of you the importance of not running out of gas!
Yesterday morning upon starting, the screen showed the very scary hybrid system warning indicator. I brought it right to the dealer as the owner's manual instructs. The warning message then went away and didn't come back on for the technician, but he did note there were "codes" indicating the car had run out of gas in the past. That was all he did and they charged me $99 for labor, explaining that my running out of gas must have caused the warning light to come on so they wouldn't warranty the service. Apparently there are many things that can cause that warning screen to come on, including running out of gas several weeks before. (??)
Yes, I ran out of gas several weeks ago, and I admit that was silly of me. But it's not like I drove it around once it ran out, and I could find no specific reference to running out of gas voiding any warranties on the hybrid system. And why does the general warning light come on weeks later, imploring you to bring it in for (unwarrantied) service? I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth.
What do you all think? Should I dispute the fee, or do you think the dealership was justified?
At any rate, from now on when my Prius tells me to "Ajouter essence" you better believe I'm going to ajouter! Both for the car's sake and mine, (so it doesn't snitch on me again.)
Thanks,
Eddie
[/i]
I just had a very annoying experience with the service center at the dealership where I bought my 2002 Prius 2 years ago. I share it here in the hopes of hearing reactions from any of you that may have had a similar experiences or might have some wise advice, and to impress upon all of you the importance of not running out of gas!
Yesterday morning upon starting, the screen showed the very scary hybrid system warning indicator. I brought it right to the dealer as the owner's manual instructs. The warning message then went away and didn't come back on for the technician, but he did note there were "codes" indicating the car had run out of gas in the past. That was all he did and they charged me $99 for labor, explaining that my running out of gas must have caused the warning light to come on so they wouldn't warranty the service. Apparently there are many things that can cause that warning screen to come on, including running out of gas several weeks before. (??)
Yes, I ran out of gas several weeks ago, and I admit that was silly of me. But it's not like I drove it around once it ran out, and I could find no specific reference to running out of gas voiding any warranties on the hybrid system. And why does the general warning light come on weeks later, imploring you to bring it in for (unwarrantied) service? I'm left with a bitter taste in my mouth.
What do you all think? Should I dispute the fee, or do you think the dealership was justified?
At any rate, from now on when my Prius tells me to "Ajouter essence" you better believe I'm going to ajouter! Both for the car's sake and mine, (so it doesn't snitch on me again.)
Thanks,
Eddie
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