Page 401 of 600

4017-1. 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.
■ Plated portions
If dirt cannot be remove, clean the parts as follows:
●Use  a  soft  cloth  dampened  with  an  approximately  5%  solution  of  neutral
detergent and water to clean the dirt off.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
● To remove oily deposits, use alcohol wet wipes or a similar pro duct.
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. 229
■ 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 
     
        
        Page 411 of 600
4117-2. 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. 431) 
     
        
        Page 412 of 600

4127-2. 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. 428)
CoolantIs  the  engine/power  control  unit  coolant  at  the
correct level? ( P. 426)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (P. 423)
Exhaust systemThere  should  not  be  any  fumes  or  strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. (P. 428)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 430)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. (P. 431)
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. 542)
Does  the  brake  pedal  have  the  correct  amount
of free play? ( P. 542) 
     
        
        Page 416 of 600

416
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. 431) • Grease
• Conventional wrench 
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 428)
• 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. 426)
• “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. 423)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 454)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 458)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser
(P. 428)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 444)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source 
     
        
        Page 417 of 600

4177-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
7
Maintenance and care
PRIUS c_U
Washer fluid (P. 430)
• 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 422 of 600
4227-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
Engine compartment
Fuse boxes (P.   4 5 4 )
Engine oil filler cap ( P.   4 2 4 )
Engine coolant radiator cap
Power control unit 
coolant reservoir ( P.   4 2 6 )
Brake fluid reservoir ( P.   4 2 8 )
Engine coolant reservoir  ( P.   4 2 6 ) Engine/power  control  unit
coolant radiator (
P. 428)
Electric cooling fan
Condenser ( P. 428)
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 423)
Washer fluid tank ( P. 430)1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 
     
        
        Page 423 of 600
4237-3. 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 424 of 600

4247-3. 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. 539
Oil quantity
(Low  Full) 1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp. qt.)
Item
Clean funnel
1
2
3