VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND CARE -> Does your vehicle need repairing? for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door First Generation (1997-2003)

Does your vehicle need  
repairing?  
Engine oil level  
Be on the alert for changes in perfor-  
mance, sounds, and visual tipoffs that  
indicate service is needed. Some impor-  
tant clues are as follows:  
If you notice any of these clues, take your  
vehicle to your Toyota dealer as soon as  
possible. It probably needs adjustment or  
repair.  
Check the level on the dipstick with the  
engine turned off and the vehicle parked  
on a level spot. See page 208 in Section  
82 for additional information.  
D Engine missing, stumbling, or pinging  
D Appreciable loss of power  
D Strange engine noises  
CAUTION  
Exhaust system  
If you notice any change in the sound of  
the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have  
the cause located and corrected immedi-  
ately. (See “Engine exhaust cautions” on  
page 150 in Section 3.)  
Do not continue driving with the ve-  
hicle unchecked. It could result in se-  
rious vehicle damage and possibly  
personal injury.  
D A fluid leak under the vehicle (however,  
water dripping from the air conditioning  
after use is normal.)  
D Change in exhaust sound (This may  
indicate a dangerous carbon monoxide  
leak. Drive with the windows open and  
have the exhaust system checked im-  
mediately.)  
D Flatlooking tire; excessive tire squeal  
when cornering; uneven tire wear  
D Vehicle pulls to one side when driving  
straight on a level road  
D Strange noises related to suspension  
movement  
D Loss of brake effectiveness; spongy  
feeling brake pedal; pedal almost  
touches floor; vehicle pulls to one side  
when braking  
D Coolant temperature continually higher  
than normal  
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