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 416 of 596
4167-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Safety glasses
Wear  safety  glasses  to  prevent  flying  or  falling  material,  flui d  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. 
     
        
        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 
     
        
        Page 423 of 596

4237-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
WARNING
■Used engine oil
● Used  engine  oil  contains  potentially  harmful  contaminants  which  may
cause  skin  disorders  such  as  inflammation  and  skin  cancer,  so  c are
should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
● Dispose  of  used  oil  and  filters  only  in  a  safe  and  acceptable  manner.  Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewe rs or onto the
ground.  Call  your  Toyota  dealer,  service  station  or  auto  parts  store  for
information concerning recycling or disposal.
● Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.
NOTICE
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■ When replacing the engine oil
● Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
● Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
● Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the v ehicle.
● Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened. 
     
        
        Page 424 of 596
4247-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
Engine coolant reservoir
The coolant level is satisfact ory if it is between the “FULL” a nd “LOW”
lines on the reservoir wh en the engine is cold.
Reservoir cap
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
If  the  level  is  on  or  below  the
“LOW”  line,  add  coolant  up  to  the
“FULL” line. ( P. 526)
Power control unit coolant reservoir
The coolant level is satisfactory  if it is between the “F” and “L” lines on
the reservoir when the hybrid system is cold.
Reservoir cap
“F” line
“L” line
If  the  level  is  on  or  below  the  “L”
line,  add  coolant  up  to  the  “F”  line.
(P. 526)
Coolant
1
2
3
1
2
3 
     
        
        Page 425 of 596

4257-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
■Coolant selection
Only  use  “Toyota Super  Long  Life Coolant”  or a  similar  high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-bora te coolant with
long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: 
“Toyota  Super  Long  Life  Coolant”  is  a  mixture  of  50%  coolant  an d  50%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: 
“Toyota  Super  Long  Life  Coolant”  is  a  mixture  of  55%  coolant  an d  45%
deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F [-42 C])
For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
■ If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing
Visually  check  the  radiators,  hoses,  engine/power  control  unit  coolant  reser-
voir caps, drain cock and water pump. 
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap  and check for
leaks in the cooling systems.
WARNING
■ When the hybrid system is hot
Do not remove the engine coolant radiator cap and power control  unit cool-
ant reservoir cap. 
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
NOTICE
■ When adding coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The cor rect mixture of
water  and  antifreeze  must  be  used  to  provide  proper  lubrication ,  corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging p arts or paint.