2008 TOYOTA PRIUS brake fluid

33
1-1. Hybrid system
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
Road accident cautions
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury.
● Pull your vehicle off the road, put the shift lever in “P”, apply the parking
brake, turn the hybrid system off.
● Do not touch the high voltage parts, cables and connectors.
● If electric wires are exposed inside or outside your vehicle, an electric
shock may occur. Never touch exposed electric wires.
● If a fluid leak occurs, do not touch it as it may be strong alkaline electrolyte
from the hybrid battery (traction battery). If it comes into contact with your
skin or eyes, wash it off immediately with a large amount of water or if pos-
sible, boric acid solution. Seek immediate medical attention.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle, leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not meant for electric fires. Using even
a small amount of water may be dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do so with the rear wheels raised. If the
wheels with the electric motor (traction motor) are on the ground when
towing, the motor may continue to generate electricity. This may cause an
electricity leakage leading to a fire. (
P. 416)
NOTICE
■Hybrid battery air vent
● Do not put foreign objects over the air vent. The hybrid battery (traction
battery) may overheat and be damaged.
● Clean the air vent regularly to prevent the hybrid battery (traction battery)
from overheating.
● Do not wet the air vent. It may cause a short circuit and damage the hybrid
battery (traction battery).
● Do not load a large amount of water such as an aquarium into the vehicle.
If water spills over the hybrid battery (traction battery), the battery may be
damaged.

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2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■
When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the hybrid system off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the
shift lever or depress the accelerator pedal, which could cause an accident
or fire due to hybrid system overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked
in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle,
leading to death or a serious health hazard.
■ When braking the vehicle
● When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously. Braking distance
increases when the brakes are wet, and may cause one side of the vehicle
to brake differently than the other side. Also the parking brake may not
securely hold the vehicle.
● If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid downhill or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but it will require more force on the
pedal than usual. Braking distance may also increase.
● Do not pump the brake pedal if the hybrid system stalls.
Each push on the pedal uses up your reserved brake fluid pressure.
● The brake system consists of 3 individual hydraulic systems: if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and braking distance
becomes longer.
Do not drive your vehicle with only a single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.

129
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
NOTICE
■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
● It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
● The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
● The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( P. 441)
■ When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
● Engine stalling
● Short in electrical components
● Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
● Brake function
● Changes in quantity and quality of engine oil, transmission fluid for the
hybrid system, etc.
● Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.

353
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 373)
Engine/power control unit coolant • At the correct level? ( P. 371)
Engine oil • At the correct level? ( P. 365)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 373)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? (P. 378)
ItemsCheck points
12 volt battery • Maintenance-free (P. 375)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supp lement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

357
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12 volt battery condition(P. 375)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 373)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power control unit coolant
level ( P. 371)
• “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.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool- ant)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Engine compar tment
■12 volt battery
 P. 375
Washer fluid tank
( P. 378)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 373)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 367)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 371)Inverter coolant reservoir
( P. 371)
Fuse box ( P. 398)
Radiator ( P. 373)
Condenser ( P. 373)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 365)

373
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicl e checked by your Toyota dealer.
Brake fluid
■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
■ Adding fluid
CAUTION
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap. The cooling system may be under pressure
and may spray hot coolant if the cap is removed, causing burns or other inju-
ries.
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel

374 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
NOTICE
■If the fluid level is low or high
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 refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.