Page 241 of 552

2414-6. Driving tips
4
Driving
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tempera-
tures.
• Engine oil
• Engine/power control unit coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the condition of the 12-volt bat-
tery.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set of tire
chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains match
the size of the tires.
Perform the following according to the driving conditions:
●Do not try to forcibly open a window or move a wiper that is frozen.
Pour warm water over the frozen area to melt the ice. Wipe away
the water immediately to prevent it from freezing.
● To ensure proper operation of the climate control system fan,
remove any snow that has accumulated on the air inlet vents in
front of the windshield.
● Check for and remove any excess ice or snow that may have accu-
mulated on the exterior lights, vehicle's roof, chassis, around the
tires or on the brakes.
● Remove any snow or mud from the bottom of your shoes before
getting in the vehicle.
Accelerate the vehicle slowly, keep a safe distance between you and
the vehicle ahead, and drive at a reduced speed suitable to road con-
ditions.
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before
driving the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a man-
ner appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions.
Pre-winter preparations
Before driving the vehicle
When driving the vehicle
Page 365 of 552
365
7Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)7-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior .......... 366
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior ........... 369
7-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements ................... 372
General maintenance........ 375
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs ......................... 378
7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions ..................... 379
Hood ................................. 382
Positioning a floor jack ...... 384
Engine compartment ......... 385
12-volt battery ................... 394
Tires .................................. 398
Tire inflation pressure ....... 406
Wheels .............................. 409
Air conditioning filter.......... 411
Wireless remote control/ electronic key battery ...... 413
Checking and replacing fuses ............................... 416
Light bulbs......................... 420
Page 375 of 552

3757-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner's Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified service shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?( P. 391)
CoolantIs the engine/power control unit coolant at the
correct level? ( P. 389)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (P. 386)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. ( P. 391)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 393)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. ( P. 394)
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 appropriate clear-ance from the floor? ( P. 496)
Does the brake pedal have the correct amount
of free play? ( P. 496)
Page 377 of 552
3777-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflation pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces-sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper (if
equipped)
• The wiper blades should not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/
rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation
before performing maintenance checks.
Page 379 of 552

379
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
7-3. 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.
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery condition (P. 394) • Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level (P. 391)
• 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. 389)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non-sili-
cate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid tech-
nology
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)
Engine oil level (P. 386)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 416)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 420)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser
(P. 391)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 406)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Page 380 of 552

3807-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
Washer fluid (P. 393)
• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer
fluid)
WARNING
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 fan 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 cooling fan 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 cool ing fan or radiator grille.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep rotat-
ing for about 3 minutes even after the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fan 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 fan or radiator grille.
ItemsCheck points
Page 386 of 552
3867-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oilPark the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning off the hybrid system, wait more than 5 minutes for
the oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end,
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check the
oil level.
Low
Normal
Excessive
The shape of the dipstick
may differ depending on the
type of vehicle or engine.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Engine oil
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
6
Page 387 of 552

3877-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U (OM52E68U)■
Adding engine oil
If the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as that
already in the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed
before adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
■Engine oil consumption
A certain amount of engine oil will be consumed while driving. In the following
situations, oil consumption may increase, and engine oil may need to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
●When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing the vehicle or
after replacing the engine
● If low quality oil or oil of an inappropriate viscosity is used
● When driving at high engine speeds or with a heavy load, or when driving
while accelerating or decelerating frequently
● When leaving the engine idling for a long time, or when driving frequently
through heavy traffic
Engine oil selection P. 493
Oil quantity
(Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Item
Clean funnel
1
2
3