Page 625 of 816

6257-1. Maintenance and care
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
■Caring for leather areas
Toyota recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a year to
maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a sponge
or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not use water.
Wipe dirty surfaces and let them dry. Excellent results are obtained by keep-
ing the carpet as dry as possible.
■Seat belts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
■Cleaning the air intake vents and filters
●Dust on the air intake vents or filters may interferes cooling of the hybrid bat-
tery (traction battery) and results in poor electricity and fuel consumption.
Clean the air intake vents and filters periodically.
●If continuing to drive the vehicle with “Maintenance required for Traction bat-
tery cooling parts See owner’s manual” shown on the multi-information dis-
play, the hybrid battery (traction battery) may overheat, leading to
decreasing in distance that can be driven using the electric motor. It may
cause poor electricity and fuel consumption or a malfunction. If the warning
message is shown, clean the air intake vents and filters immediately.
●Improper handling may result in damage to the grille or filters. If you have
any concerns about cleaning the filters, contact any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
●If the warning message on the multi-information display does not disappear
after cleaning the filters, have the vehicle inspected by any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
●Timing of cleaning filters differs depending on the use environment of the
vehicle.
Page 626 of 816

6267-1. Maintenance and care
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
■Water in the vehicle
● Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle, such as on the floor, in the
hybrid battery (traction battery) air intake vent, and in the luggage com-
partment.
Doing so may cause the hybrid battery (traction battery), electrical compo-
nents, etc. to malfunction or catch fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
( P. 40)
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or serious injury.
● Vehicles with wireless charger:
Do not let the wireless charger ( P. 607) get wet. Failure to do so may
cause the charger to become hot and cause burns or could cause electric
shock resulting in death or serious injury.
■ Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect
off the windshield, obstructing the driver’s view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
■ Cleaning detergents
● Do not use the following types of detergent, as they may discolor the vehi-
cle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces:
• Non-seat portions: Organic substances such as benzene or gasoline,
alkaline or acidic solutions, dye, and bleach
• Seats: Alkaline or acidic solutions, such as thinner, benzene, and alco-
hol
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel’s or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces:
● Remove any dust or dirt from leather surfaces immediately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or containing wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
Page 627 of 816

6277-1. Maintenance and care
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
NOTICE
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components such as the audio system above or
under the floor of the vehicle. Water may also cause the body to rust.
■ When cleaning the inside of the windshield
Do not allow glass cleaner to contact the lens. Also, do not touch the lens.
( P. 4 0 6 )
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires or antenna. Use a cloth
dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the
window in strokes running parallel to the heater wires or antenna.
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires or antenna.
■ When cleaning the air intake vents and filters
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may cause damage to
the vehicle.
● When removing the air intake vent grille, make sure to turn the power
switch off to stop the hybrid system.
● Do not use water or other liquid to clean the air intake vents or filters.
● Do not allow water or foreign matter to enter the air intake vent when the
grille is removed.
● Carefully handle the removed filters not to damage.
If the filter is damaged, have it replac ed with a new filter by any authorized
Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer.
● Make sure to reinstall the filters and vents to its original positions after
cleaning.
The shape of the left side and right side filters are different. When remov-
ing both filters, be careful not to mistake the left-right installation direction.
● Do not install anything but the filters exclusive for this vehicle to the air
intake vents or use the vehicle without installing the filters.
Page 628 of 816

6287-2. Maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
Maintenance requirements
Scheduled maintenance should be performed at specified intervals
according to the maintenance schedule.
For full details of your maintenance schedule, refer to the “Toyota Service
Booklet” or “Toyota Warranty Booklet”.
What about do-it-yourself maintenance?
Many maintenance items are easy to do yourself if you have a little
mechanical ability and a few basic automotive tools.
Note, however, that some maintenance tasks require special tools and
skills. These are best performed by qualified technicians. Even if you’re an
experienced do-it-yourself mechanic, we recommend that repairs and
maintenance be conducted by any authorized Toyota retailer or Toyota
authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer. Any authorized Toyota retailer
or repairer will keep a record of maintenance, which could be useful should
you ever require Warranty Service. Should you choose to select a qualified
and equipped professional other than an authorized Toyota repairer to ser-
vice or maintain your vehicle, we recommend that you request that a
record of maintenance be kept.
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and reg-
ular maintenance are essential. Toyota recommends the follow-
ing maintenance:
Scheduled maintenance
Do-it-yourself maintenance
Page 629 of 816

6297-2. Maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
■Where to go for maintenance service?
In order to maintain your vehicle in the best possible condition, Toyota recom-
mends that maintenance service operations as well as other inspections and
repairs be carried out by authorized Toyota retailers or Toyota authorized
repairers, or any reliable repairers. For repairs and services covered by your
warranty, please visit an authorized Toyota retailer or repairer, who will use
genuine Toyota parts in repairing any difficulties you may encounter. There
can also be advantages in utilizing authorized Toyota retailers or repairers for
non-warranty repairs and services, as members of the Toyota network will be
able to expertly assist you with any difficulties you may encounter.
Your Toyota retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer will
perform all of the scheduled maintenance on your vehicle reliably and eco-
nomically due to their experience with Toyota vehicles.
■Does your vehicle need repairs?
Be on the alert for changes in performance and sounds, and visual tip-offs
that indicate service is needed. Some important clues are:
●Engine missing, stumbling or pinging
●Appreciable loss of power
●Strange engine noises
●A fluid leak under the vehicle (However, water dripping from the air condi-
tioning system after use is normal.)
●Change in exhaust sound (This may indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide
leak. Drive with the windows open and have the exhaust system checked
immediately.)
●Flat-looking tires, excessive tire squeal when cornering, uneven tire wear
●Vehicle pulls to one side when driven straight on a level road
●Strange noises related to suspension movement
●Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling brake pedal, pedal almost
touches the floor, vehicle pulls to one side when braking
●Engine coolant temperature continually higher than normal (P. 716, 761)
If you notice any of these clues, take your vehicle to any authorized Toyota
retailer or Toyota authorized repairer, or any reliable repairer as soon as pos-
sible. Your vehicle may need adjustment or repair.
Page 630 of 816
6307-2. Maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehicle and
possible serious injury or death.
■ Handling of the 12-volt battery
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. 644)
Page 631 of 816

6317-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
7
Maintenance and care
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12-volt battery
condition
(P. 644)• Warm water • Baking soda • Grease
• Conventional wrench (for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Engine/power
control unit
coolant level
(P. 641)• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar high
quality ethylene glycol-based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed with
50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level
(P. 638)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (P. 6 9 1 )• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Hybrid battery
(traction battery)
air intake vent
(P. 623)
• Vacuum cleaner, etc.
• Flathead screwdriver
Light bulbs
(P. 695)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as origi-
nal
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and
condenser
(P. 643)
Tire inflation
pressure
(P. 665)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid
(P. 648)• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze (for win-
ter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer fluid)
Page 632 of 816

6327-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Prius Plug-in Hybrid_OM_OM47D72E_(EE)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become el ectrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■ When working on the engine compartment
● Make sure that the “Accessory”, “Ignition ON” or mileage display (P. 223)
on the main display and the “READY” indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan.
● 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.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the 12-volt battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces. If fluid gets on your hands or in your eyes, flush the
affected area with clean water immediately. If you still experience discom-
fort, consult a doctor.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Be sure the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( P. 643)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.