Ok, I'm pretty upset after going with the local dealer this weekend. I hit 30,000 miles, so I took my 2004 Prius in to a dealership (not the one I purchased it from) to get the oil changed, tires rotated, and all the filters replaced. I felt this was a good compromise on the recommended ($500!!!) 30,000 mile service.

I had been planning to bring in my own oil to make sure they used the correct type, ensure that they didn't overfill, and to keep within the confines of the Quaker State warranty. The service rep wasn't exactly patient or polite when I was explaining what I wanted, and initially refused to use the oil I provided for the oil change. After insisting a few times and having another service rep intervene on my behalf, he agreed to use my oil. I got flustered and forgot to request the extra 1/2 quart be returned to me (I was also a little embarrased to ask this).

I asked to also have the SSC-50P work done (ECU reflash + dialectic grease), which took additional explaining, and I also had another warranty issue (door making weird sounds).

After I got the car back, before I even drove away, I opened the hood and checked the dipstick (the car is warm now, as they took it for a short test-drive to ensure that the door rattle was fixed), sure enough, about 1/4 inch over the top dot. A mechanic walked up and was all "what seems to be the problem little lady", and I explained that I was concerned that they had overfilled the oil. He checked the oil three times after I did and insisted that it was low if it wasn't above the second dot. I was pretty sure that was not what I had heard here or in the Prius help file, but since he was the mechanic and I really can't claim to be an expert on cars, I let it go.

Needless to say, I feel extremely uneasy, after consulting the car's manual the oil is indeed in the "Too full" zone (per p 285), and I am not completely convinced they actually performed the recall work.

Here are my two questions:

1.) Will any shop be able to remove the excess oil, or do I have to take it back to the dealership?

and

2.) Is there any way I can tell for sure (going into the diagnositc screen maybe?) that they did the reflash? My milage on the Consumption screen did NOT reset after the reflash (still showing 285 miles for this tank). Is this normal?

I apologize for the rambling rant, but I am really intimidated by mechanics and dealers, and I feel cheated and let down. Thanks for any help!

--
Hillary

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