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3997-1. Maintenance and care
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U■
Aluminum wheels (if equipped)
●Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent.
● Wash detergent off with water immediately after use.
● To protect the paint from damage, make sure to observe the following pre-
cautions.
• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive detergent
• Do not use hard brushes
• Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, such as after driv-
ing or parking in hot weather
■ Bumpers
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
WARNING
■When washing the vehicle
Do not apply water to the inside of the engine compartment. Doing so may
cause the electrical components etc. to catch fire.
■ When cleaning the windshield
Installation area of front sensor on windshield: P. 227
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipe
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipe to become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipe unti l it has
cooled sufficiently, as touching a hot exhaust pipe can cause b urns.
NOTICE
■To prevent paint deterioration an d corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum wheels etc.)
● Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If coal tar or tree sap is present on the paint surface
• If dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings are presen t on the
paint surface
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust, iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled with dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the pai nt surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediat ely.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
Page 409 of 596
4097-2. Maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■If your vehicle is no t properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehi cle 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. Wor k 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 Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive har m. 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. 429)
Page 410 of 596

4107-2. Maintenance
PRIUS c_U
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 s ervice shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
( P. 426)
CoolantIs the engine/power control unit coolant at the
correct level? ( P. 424)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (P. 421)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. (P. 426)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 428)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. (P. 429)
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. 540)
Does the brake pedal have the correct amount
of free play? ( P. 540)
Page 414 of 596

414
PRIUS c_U
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. 429) •
Grease
• C onventional wrench
(for te rminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 426)
• 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. 424)
• “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. 421)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 452)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 456)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser
(P. 426)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 442)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Page 415 of 596

4157-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
Washer fluid (P. 428)
• 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 power s witch 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 eng ine
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 r ags, 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 m ay keep
rotating for about 3 minutes even after the power switch is tur ned to the
“LOCK” position.
With the power switch in the “ON” position, the electric coolin g fan may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. Be sure the power 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 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 automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. Be sure the power switch is off when working near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille.
ItemsCheck points
Page 420 of 596
4207-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes (P. 4 5 2 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 4 2 2 )
Engine coolant radiator cap
Power control unit
coolant reservoir ( P. 4 2 4 )
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 4 2 6 )
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 4 2 4 ) Engine/power control unit
coolant radiator (
P. 426)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P. 426)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 421)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 428)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Page 421 of 596
4217-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil
Park 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 th e
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 422 of 596

4227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U■
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 fille r 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 ne ed to be
refilled in between oil maintenance intervals.
● When the engine is new, for example directly after purchasing t he 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. 537
Oil quantity
(Low Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Item
Clean funnel
1
2
3