2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C engine

350 4-2. Maintenance
CAUTION
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible serious injury or death.
■ Handling of the 12-volt battery
●Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Work in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Avoid exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● 12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your
hands after handling. ( P. 375)

351
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluid Is the brake fluid at the correct
level? (
P. 371)
Coolant Is the engine/power control unit
coolant at the correct level?
(P. 369)
Engine oil Is the engine oil at the correct
level?
(P. 365)
Exhaust system There should not be any fumes or
strange sounds.
Radiator/condenser The radiator and condenser
should be free from foreign
objects.
(P. 371)
Washer fluid Is there sufficient washer fluid?
(P. 374)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement/Scheduled
Maintenance Guide”. It is recomme nded that any problem you notice
should be brought to the attention of your Toyota dealer or qualified
service shop for advice.

354 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors • Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood • Does the engine hood lock sys-
tem work properly?
Fluid leaks • There should not be any signs of
fluid leakage after the vehicle has
been parked.
Tires • Is the tire inflation pressure cor-
rect?
• The tires should not be dam- aged or excessively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance
schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
CAUTION
■ If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.

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)

357
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
ItemsParts and tools
Engine oil level ( P. 365)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 400)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Light bulbs ( P. 411)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser (P. 371)

Tire inflation pressure ( P. 388) • Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 374) • Water or washer fluid containing
antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)

358 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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
●Vehicles without a smart key system: Make sure that the engine switch is
in the “LOCK” position and the “READY” indicator is off.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Make sure that the indicator on the
“POWER” switch and the “READY” indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fans and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, 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 and rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric c ooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep
rotating for about 3 minutes even after the engine switch is turned to the
“LOCK” position.
With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric cooling fan may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. Be sure the engine switch is in the “LOCK” position when
working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep rotating
for about 3 minutes even after the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. Be sure the “POWER” switch is off when working near the
electric cooling fans or radiator grille.

359
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also, a backfire could cause a fire in the engine com-
partment.

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)