2004 TOYOTA PRIUS checking oil

207

Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High tem-
perature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed de-
pends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high −speed driv-
ing and frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 Imp.qt./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil con-
sumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately. As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a nor-
mal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in prop-
er vehicle maintenance is to keep the en-
gine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 282.

279
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need to perform do−it−yourself mainte-
nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-
signed in metric sizes, so your tools must
be metric.
CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
Engine oil API grade SL “Energy −Con-
serving” or ILSAC multigrade having
viscosity proper for your climate
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVEL
Parts (if level is low):
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or
similar high quality ethylene glycol
based non− silicate, non −amine, non− ni-
trite, and non −borate coolant with long −
life hybrid organic acid technology.
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a
mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-
ized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%
coolant and 45% deionized water (for
Canada).
Tools:
Funnel (only for adding coolant) CHECKING BRAKE FLUID
Parts (if level is low):
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3
brake fluid
Tools:
Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
CHECKING AUXILIARY BATTERY CON-
DITION
Tools:
Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES
Parts (if replacement is necessary):
Fuse with same amperage rating as
original
ADDING WASHER FLUID
Parts:
Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for
winter use) Tools:
Funnel
REPLACING LIGHT BULBS
Parts:
Bulb with same number and wattage
rating as original (See charts in “Re-
placing light bulbs–” on page 302.)
Tools:
Screwdriver

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

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

298
CAUTION
AUXILIARY BATTERY PRECAUTIONS
When the auxiliary battery must be
replaced, use the Prius designated
battery.
The auxiliary battery produces flam-
mable and explosive hydrogen gas.
Do not cause a spark from the bat-
tery with tools.
Do not smoke or light a match near
the battery.
The electrolyte contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Avoid contact with eyes, skin or
clothes.
Never ingest electrolyte.
Wear protective safety glasses when
working near the battery.
Keep children away from the bat-
tery.
EMERGENCY MEASURES
If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush your eyes with clean water
and get immediate medical atten-
tion. If possible, continue to apply
water with a sponge or cloth while
en route to the medical office.
If electrolyte gets on your skin,
thoroughly wash the contact area. If
you feel pain or burn, get medical
attention immediately.
If electrolyte gets on your clothes,
there is a possibility of its soaking
through to your skin, so immediate-
ly take off the exposed clothing and
follow the procedure above, if nec-
essary.
If you accidentally swallow electro-
lyte, drink a large quantity of water
or milk. Follow with milk of magne-
sia, beaten raw egg or vegetable
oil. Then go immediately for emer-
gency help.
83p035
Open the back door. Remove the lug-
gage storage box and auxiliary battery
cover.
If the back door does not open, see “If
you cannot operate back door opener” on
page 258.
Checking auxiliary battery
condition—
—Precautions —Checking auxiliary battery
exterior