i'm considering a prius, but was wondering if normal wear/tear maintenance is as straightforward on a prius vs. a regular vehicle. my apologies in advance if this has been covered, searched and didn't find a straight answer.

basically, oil changes and brakes are the maintenance items that come to mind. is it any more difficult to perform an oil change on a prius? can i take it to a jiffy lube type place, or do i need to take it to the dealer?

same with brakes...since they have the regenerative component, i assume that changing the pads is not as straightforward as a normal car? or is it?

thanks.

Pads are same as any other car, nothing special there. The regen component is tied to the electric motor(s), has nothing to do with pads.

Below 7 miles per hour the pads engage, above this speed the electric motors are slowing you. Panic stops use both systems (pads and motors).

Basically when you press the brake pedal, you are telling the computer to use whatever means to slow, depending on speed and how fast the pedal is pushed down.

With that being said, brake pads should last a very long time, since they are not being used very often. Amazing technology.

I change my own oil and it's as straightforward as all my other cars have been, nothing special there either.

Hope that helps! Love my Prius.

'04 Seaside Pearl #7. Fumoto oil drain, mudflaps, rear bumper scuff protector & rear warn system, compass mirror, EV mode button, 8" subwoofer in right rear cubby & 6" subs under seats, power lumbar in the front seats, Coastaletech hitch w/ Aspen bike/snowboard rack. iPod2car, 2 amps, Alpine component speakers, and DVD video, solid 47 MPG @ 70000 miles.

Agree w/finman on oil. My 2001 Prius only has 85k miles so it is way too early to be thinking about brake maintenance! I can tell you that the rear drum brake shoe self-adjusters look just like those in previous conventional cars. I have heard that the rear brake design is different in the new model, but do not know. I have also heard that brake line bleeding in the new model can only be done with the Toyota hand-held tester (again, seek confirmation elsewhere). This would not necessarily be an issue for front pad changes, but would certainly be for wheel cylinder work, or brake fluid drain/refill.

DAS