2009 TOYOTA PRIUS light

Maintenance and care4
341
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle’s exterior ............ 342
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle’s interior ............. 344
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 347
General maintenance....... 349
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ........................ 352
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 353
Hood ................................ 357
Positioning a floor jack ..... 358
Engine compartment ........ 360
Tires ................................. 375
Tire inflation pressure ...... 384
Wheels ............................. 388
Air conditioning filter......... 390
Electronic key battery....... 392
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 394
Light bulbs........................ 403

343
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■
To prevent paint deterioratio n and corrosion on the body
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects or insect droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzine and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
CAUTION
■Caution about the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe until it has cooled
sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause burns.
NOTICE
■To protect your vehicle’s painted surfaces
Do not use organic cleaners such as benzine or gasoline.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
● Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surface of the lights. Wax may cause damage to
the lenses.

346 4-1. Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
NOTICE
■Cleaning detergents
Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehicle
interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces.
● Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzine or gasoline, alka-
line or acidic solutions, dye, or bleach.
● Seats: Acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzine, or alcohol.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces.
● Remove any dust or dirt on leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or that contain wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components under the floor of the vehicle, and
may also cause the body to rust.
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires. Use a cloth dampened
with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in
strokes running parallel to the heater wires.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.

350 4-2. Maintenance
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal • Moves smoothly (without uneven pedal
effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission
“Park” mechanism • Can the vehicle be hold securely on an
incline with the shift lever in “P”?
Brake pedal • Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and
correct amount of free play?
Brakes • Pulls to one side when applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Head restraints • Move smoothly and lock securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake • Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on an
incline?
Seat belts • Does the seat belt system operate
smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats • Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel • Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

355
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
CAUTION
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury observe the following precautions.
■
When working on the engine compartment:
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, inverter, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc.
right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the 12 volt
battery. Fuel and 12 volt battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the 12 volt battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors. It can cause severe burns or electric shock
that may result in death or serious injury.
● When the hybrid system is operating with the “READY” light on, the engine
may suddenly start in some cases. When you inspect the engine compart-
ment, be sure to turn off the hybrid system.
■ When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is OFF.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fan may automat-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( P. 369)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

357
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Hood
CAUTION
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood lock release
lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Lift the hood catch and lift the
hood.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into the
slot.
ITY43P001
STEP1
ITY43P002
STEP2
STEP3
ITY43P003
STEP3

365
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■
Engine oil consumption
● The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
● More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds, fre-
quent acceleration and deceleration.
● A new engine consumes more oil.
● When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accu-
rately.
● Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp. qt./600 miles (1.0 L per
1000 km). If the vehicle consumes more than this amount, contact your
Toyota dealer.
■ Resetting the engine oil maintenance data (U.S.A. only)
Perform the following steps:
Turn the “POWER” switch to OFF mode with the odometer shown.
Turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode with the trip meter reset but-
ton (P. 146) held down.
Keep pressing the button for longer than 5 seconds after the
“POWER” switch is in ON mode.
When the odometer indicates “000000” and the light goes off, the system
reset is completed.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

370 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■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
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.