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 427 of 600

4277-3. 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. 
     
        
        Page 428 of 600
4287-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS c_U
Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign objects. 
If  either  of  the  above  parts  is  extremely  dirty  or  you  are  not  sure  of
their condition, have your vehic le inspected by your Toyota dea ler.
■Checking fluid level
The  brake  fluid  level  should  be
between  the  “MAX”  and  “MIN”
lines on the tank.
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary ite m.
Slide  and  lift  up  the  rubber
strip  and  clips  to  partly
remove it as shown.
Radiator and condenser
WARNING
■ When the hybrid system is hot
Do not touch the radiators or condenser as they may be hot and  cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.
Brake fluid
Fluid type FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid
Item Clean funnel
1 
     
        
        Page 529 of 600
5298-2. Steps to take in an emergency
8
When trouble arises
PRIUS c_U
● ( P. 489) is shown on the mu lti-information display.
● The hybrid system overheat warning message ( P. 493) is shown
on the multi-information display. 
● Steam comes out f rom under the hood.
■If   is shown on the mult i-information display
Stop  the  vehicle  in  a  safe  place  and  turn  off  the  air  conditioning
system, and then stop the hybrid system.
If you see steam: 
Carefully lift the hood after the steam  subsides.
If you do not see steam:
Carefully lift the hood.
After  the  hybrid  system  has
cooled  down  sufficiently,
inspect  the  hoses  and  radia-
tor  core  (radiator)  for  any
leaks. Radiator
Cooling fan
If  a  large  amount  of  coolant
leaks,  immediately  contact
your Toyota dealer.
If  your vehicle overheats
The following may indicate that  your vehicle is overheating.
Correction procedures
1
2
3
1
2 
     
        
        Page 530 of 600
5308-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS c_U
The  coolant  level  is  satisfac-
tory if it is between the
“FULL”  and  “LOW”  lines  on
the reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL” line
“LOW” line
Add coolant if necessary.
Water  can  be  used  in  an  emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the hybrid system and turn the air conditioning system on  to
check  that  the  radiator  cooling  fan  operates  and  to  check  for
coolant leaks from t he radiator or hoses.
The fan operates when the air conditioning system is turned on  immedi-
ately after a cold start. Confirm that the fan is operating by  checking the
fan sound and air flow. If it is difficult to check these, turn the air condi-
tioning system on and off repeatedly.
(The fan may not operate in freezing temperatures.)
If the fan is not operating:
Stop  the  hybrid  system  immediately  and  contact  your  Toyota
dealer.
If the fan is operating:
Have the vehicle inspected at the neare st Toyota dealer.
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