Get DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE - Introduction Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

SECTION 8– 1

DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE

Introduction

Engine compartment overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Fuse locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Do−it−yourself service precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Positioning the jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204

Parts and tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

199

Engine compartment overview

1. Engine coolant reservoir

2. Fuse blocks

3. Brake fluid reservoir

4. Engine oil filler cap

5. Inverter reservoir tank

6. Windshield washer fluid tank

7. Radiator and condenser

8. Engine oil level dipstick

9. Auxiliary battery

81p001f

200

Fuse locations

81p003a

81p004a

81p005a

81p006b

81p002b

201

Do−it−yourself service

precautions

If you perform maintenance by yourself,

be sure to follow the correct procedure

given in this Section.

D Do not get under your vehicle with

just the body jack supporting it. Al-

ways use automotive jack stands or

other solid supports.

CAUTION

D When the hybrid system is on, keep

hands, clothing, and tools away

from the moving fan and engine

You should be aware that improper or in-

complete servicing may result in operating

problems.

D Be sure that the ignition is off if

you work near the electric cooling

fans or radiator grille. With the

ignition on, the electric cooling fans

will automatically start to run if the

engine coolant temperature is high

and/or the air conditioning is on.

drive

belts.

(Removing

rings,

Performing

do−it−yourself

maintenance

watches, and ties is advisable.)

during the warranty period may affect your

warranty coverage. Read the separate

Toyota Warranty statement for details and

suggestions.

D Right after driving, the engine

compartment—the engine, radiator,

exhaust manifold and spark plug

boots, etc.—will be hot. So be care-

ful not to touch them. Oil, fluids

and spark plugs may also be hot.

This Section gives instructions only for

those items that are relatively easy for an

owner to perform. As explained in Section

7, there are still a number of items that

must be done by a qualified technician

with special tools.

D Use eye protection whenever you

work on or under your vehicle

where you may be exposed to fly-

ing or falling material, fluid spray,

etc.

D If the hybrid system is hot, do not

remove the radiator cap or loosen

the drain plugs to prevent burning

yourself.

D Be extremely cautious when work-

ing on the batteries. It contains poi-

sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid

or strong alkali.

For information on tools and parts for do−

it−yourself maintenance, see ”Parts and

tools” on page 205 in this Section.

D Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-

low open flames around fuel or the

batteries. Their fumes are flam-

mable.

Utmost care should be taken when work-

ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental

D Warning: Battery posts, terminals and

related accessories contain lead and

lead compounds, chemicals known to

the State of California to cause can-

cer and reproductive harm. Wash

hands after handling.

D When the hybrid system is operat-

ing with the “READY” light on, the

engine is automatically started in

some case. When you inspect the

engine compartment, be sure to

turn the ignition switch to “OFF”

position.

injury. Here are

a

few precautions that

you should be especially careful to ob-

serve:

202

NOTICE

z Be careful not to scratch the glass

surface with the wiper frame.

D Used engine oil contains potentially

harmful contaminants which may

cause skin disorders such as in-

flammation or skin cancer, so care

should be taken to avoid prolonged

and repeated contact with it. To re-

move used engine oil from your

skin, wash thoroughly with soap

and water.

z Remember that batteries and igni-

tion cable carry high currents or

voltages. Be careful of accidentally

causing a short circuit.

z When closing the hood, check to

see that you have not forgotten any

tools, rags, etc.

z Add only demineralized or distilled

water to fill the radiator. And if you

spill some of the coolant, be sure

to wash it off with water to prevent

it from damaging the parts or paint.

D Do not leave used oil within the

reach of children.

z Do not allow dirt or anything else

to fall through the spark plug holes.

D Dispose of used oil and filter only

in a safe and acceptable manner.

Do not dispose of used oil and fil-

ter in household trash, in sewers or

onto the ground. Call your dealer

for information concerning recycling

or disposal.

z Do not pry the outer electrode of

spark plug against the center elec-

trode.

z Use only spark plugs of the speci-

fied type. Using other types will

cause engine damage, loss of per-

formance or radio noise.

D Take care when filling the brake

fluid reservoir because brake fluid

can harm your eyes and damage

painted surfaces. If fluid gets in

your eyes, flush your eyes with

clean water immediately. If you still

feel uncomfortable with your eyes,

go to the doctor.

z If you spill the fluid, be sure to

wash it off with water to prevent it

from damaging the parts or paint.

z Do not drive with the air cleaner

filter removed, or excessive engine

wear could result. Also backfiring

could cause

compartment.

a

fire in the engine

203

Positioning the jack

When jacking up your vehicle with the

jack, position the jack correctly as

shown in the illustrations.

D Do not raise the vehicle with some-

one in the vehicle.

D When raising the vehicle, do not

put an object on or under the jack.

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the

following to reduce the possibility of

personal injury:

81p008b

NOTICE

Make sure to place the jack correctly,

or your vehicle may be damaged.

D Follow jacking instructions.

D Do not put any part of your body

under the vehicle supported by the

jack. Personal injury may occur.

Front

D Do not start or run the engine while

your vehicle is supported by the

jack.

D Stop the vehicle on

a

level firm

ground, firmly set the parking brake

and put the transmission in “P”.

D Make sure to set the jack properly

in the jack point. Raising the ve-

hicle with jack improperly posi-

tioned will damage the vehicle or

may allow the vehicle to fall off the

jack and cause personal injury.

81p009b

D Never get under the vehicle when

the vehicle is supported by the jack

alone.

Rear

204

Parts and tools

Here is a list of parts and tools you will

need on performing do−it−yourself mainte-

nance. Remember all Toyota parts are de-

signed in metric sizes, so your tools must

be metric.

CHECKING BRAKE FLUID

Parts (if level is low):

Tools:

D Funnel

D SAE J1703 or FMVSS No.116 DOT 3

REPLACING LIGHT BULBS

Parts:

brake fluid

Tools:

CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL

Parts (if level is low):

D Bulb with same number and wattage

rating as original (See charts in ”Re-

placing light bulbs–” on page 225 in

Section 8−3.)

D Rag or paper towel

D Funnel (only for adding fluid)

D Engine oil API grade SJ “Energy−Con-

serving”, SL “Energy−Conserving” or IL-

SAC multigrade having viscosity proper

for your climate

CHECKING AUXILIARY BATTERY CON-

DITION

Tools:

D Screwdriver

Tools:

D Warm water

D Baking soda

D Grease

D Rag or paper towel

D Funnel (only for adding oil)

CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVEL

Parts (if level is low):

D Conventional

wrench

(for

terminal

clamp bolts)

D ”TOYOTA Long Life Coolant” or equiva-

CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES

Parts (if replacement is necessary):

lent

See page 210 in Section 8−2 for de-

tails about coolant type selection.

D Fuse with same amperage rating as

original

D Demineralized or distilled water

ADDING WASHER FLUID

Tools:

Parts:

D Funnel (only for adding coolant)

D Water

D Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for

winter use)

205

206

DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE - Introduction for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

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