2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C brake

352 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. ( P. 375)
Accelerator pedal • The accelerator pedal should
move smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal • Does the brake pedal move
smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appro- priate clearance from the floor?
(P. 497)
• Does the brake pedal have the correct amount of free play?
(P. 497)
Brakes • The vehicle should not pull to one
side when the brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effec- tively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the
brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(Adjustable type) • Do the head restraints move
smoothly and lock securely?
Hybrid transmission “Park” mech-
anism • When parked on a slope and the
parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers • Do the indicators and buzzers
function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?

353
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever
operate normally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking brake is on, is the vehicle
securely stopped?
Seat belts • Do the seat belts operate
smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be dam- aged.
Seats • Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel • Does the steering wheel rotate
smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correct amount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds coming from the steering
wheel.
ItemsCheck points

356
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery condition( P. 375) • Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 371)• 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. 369)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or a 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
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 50%
coolant and 50% deionized
water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life
Coolant” is pre-mixed with 55%
coolant and 45% deionized
water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)

363
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury:
●When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with
the jack.
● Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
● Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is sup-
ported only by the floor jack.
● Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
● Do not start the hybrid system while the vehicle is supported by the floor
jack.
● Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, set the parking brake and shift the
shift lever to P.
● Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
● Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
● When raising the vehicle, do not place any object on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
●Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

364
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compar tment
Fuse boxes (P. 400)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 366)
Engine coolant radiator cap
Power control unit
coolant reservoir ( P. 369)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 371)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 369)Engine/power control unit
coolant radiator ( P. 371)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P. 371)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 365)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 374)

371
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Radiator and condenser
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign
objects.
If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have y our vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.
Brake fluid
■ Checking fluid level
The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
CAUTION
■When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiators or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.

372 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item.
Slide and lift up the rubber strip
and clips to partly remove it as
shown.
Disconnect the claws and
remove the service cover.
Remove the reservoir cap.
Add brake fluid slowly while checking the fluid level.
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Item Clean funnel
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

373
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■
Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking
efficiency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
CAUTION
■When filling the reservoir
Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and eyes and damage painted
surfaces.
If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the affected area 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 out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious proble\
m.