2004 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

281
DOITYOURSELF MAINTENANCE
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level282
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Checking the coolant level 284
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Checking the radiator and condenser 286
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Checking brake fluid 286
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. . . .
Checking and replacing the air conditioning filter 287
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Checking tire inflation pressure 289
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Checking and replacing tires 291
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Rotating tires 293
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Installing snow tires and chains 294
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Replacing wheels 295
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Aluminum wheel precautions 296
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SECTION 8– 2

282
82p001a
Low level Full level
Add oil O.K. Too full
With the hybrid system at operating
temperature and turned off, check the
oil level on the dipstick. 1. To get a correct reading, the vehicle should be on a level ground. After turn-
ing off the hybrid system, wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull the dipstick out, hold the rag un- der the end and wipe it clean.
3. Reinsert the dipstick—push it in as far as it will go, or the reading will not be
correct. 4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil
level while holding a rag under the
end.
CAUTION
Be careful not to touch the hot ex-
haust manifold.
NOTICE
Be careful not to drop engine oil on
the vehicle components.
If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level, add engine oil of
the same type as already in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick. We recommend that you use
a funnel when adding oil.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
raise the level between low and full on the
dipstick is indicated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand− tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.): 1.5 (1.6, 1.3)
NOTICE
Be careful not to spill engine oil on
the vehicle components.
 Avoid overfilling, or the hybrid sys-
tem could be damaged.
 Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
Checking the engine oil level

283
ENGINE OIL SELECTION
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is used in
your Toyota vehicle. Use Toyota approved
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
to satisfy the following grade and viscos-
ity.
Oil grade:API grade SL “Energy −Conserving” or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity:
SAE 5W −30
oil008
Outside temperature
SAE 5W30 is the best choice, for good
fuel economy, and good starting in cold
weather. If SAE 5W30 oil is not available, SAE
10W30 oil may be used. However, it
should be replaced with SAE 5W30 at
the next oil change.
82P103
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark

284
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SL. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W−30. “Energy −
Conserving” shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuel −saving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-
mance for your engine, “Toyota Genuine
Motor Oil” is available, which has been
specifically tested and approved for all
Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details about “Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil”.
CAUTION
The coolant heat storage tank reaches
high temperature inside. It is danger-
ous if hot coolant is discharged when
replacing. For replacement of the
coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
Look at the seethrough coolant reser-
voir when the hybrid system is cold.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines
on the reservoir. If the level is low, add
the coolant. (For the coolant type, see
“Coolant type selection” described be-
low.)
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with hybrid system temperature. However,
if the level is on or below the “LOW” line,
add coolant. Bring the level up to the
“FULL” line.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
Checking the coolant level

285
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your cooling system.
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non−silicate, non −amine, non− nitrite,
and non− borate coolant with long −life
hybrid organic acid technology. (Coolant
with long −life hybrid organic acid
technology is a combination of low
phosphates and organic acids.)
For the U.S.A.—“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and
50% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about −35 C
( − 31 F). For Canada—“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and
45% deionized water. This coolant pro-
vides protection down to about
−42 C
( − 44 F).
NOTICE
Do not use plain water alone.
Toyota recommends “Toyota Super Long
Life Coolant”, which has been tested to
ensure that it will not cause corrosion nor
result in malfunction of your coolant sys-
tem with proper usage. “Toyota Super
Long Life Coolant” is formulated with
long −life hybrid organic acid technology
and has been specifically designed to
avoid cooling system malfunction on
Toyota vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details.

286
If any of the above parts are extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, be care-
ful not to touch the radiator or con-
denser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator
and condenser, do not perform the
work by yourself.
Checking brake fluid
82p002b
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the seethrough reservoir. The level
should be between the “MAX” and
“MIN” lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is
high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refueling,
it may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem.
If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 brake fluid to
the brake reservoir.Refilling brake fluid:
1. Turn the hybrid system off.
2. Depress the brake pedal more than 40 times.
3. Remove the reservoir cap by hand. Add brake fluid up to the “MAX” line.
If you do not follow the procedure above,
the reservoir may overflow.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking.CAUTION
Take care when filling the r eservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces. If
fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water immediately. If
you still feel uncomfortable with your
eyes, go to the doctor.
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wipe
it off to prevent it from damaging the
parts or painting.
Checking the radiator and
condenser

287
82p109
The air conditioning filter information
label is placed on the left side of the
glove box as shown and indicates that
a filter has been installed.
The air conditioning filter prevents dust
from entering the vehicle through the air
conditioning vent.
82p006b
The air conditioning filter may clog af-
ter long use. The filter may need to be
replaced if the air flow of the air condi-
tioning and heater experiences extreme
reductions in operating efficiency, or if
the windows begin to fog up easily.
The air conditioning filter is set behind the
glove box.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency,
inspect and replace the air conditioning
filter according to the maintenance sched-
ule. In dusty areas or areas with heavy
traffic flow, such as inner city or desert
areas, early replacement may be required.
(For scheduled maintenance information,
please refer to the “Owner ’s Manual Sup-
plement/Scheduled Maintenance”.)
82p007a
1. Open the glove box, and slide offthe damper as shown.
Checking and replacing the
air conditioning filter

288
82p107
2. Push in each side of the glove boxto disconnect the claws.
82p008b
3. Pull the filter case toward you totake it out.
82p009a
4. Remove the filter from the filter caseand replace it with a new one.