Get DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE Introduction Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2009)

SECTION 8– 1

DO−IT−YOURSELF MAINTENANCE

Introduction

Engine compartment overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392

Fuse locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393

Do−it−yourself service precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394

Positioning the jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 396

Parts and tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 397

391

Engine compartment overview

1. Windshield washer fluid tank

2. Brake fluid reservoir

3. Engine oil filler cap

4. Engine coolant reservoir

5. Inverter coolant reservoir tank

6. Fuse block

7. Radiator and condenser

8. Engine oil level dipstick

9. 12 volt battery

81p001g

392

Fuse locations

81p006c

81p003b

81p005b

81p002c

393

Do−it−yourself service

precautions

If you perform maintenance by yourself,

be sure to follow the correct procedure

given in this Section.

ꢀ 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

press the “POWER” switch to the

“OFF” mode.

CAUTION

ꢀ 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.

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.

ꢀ 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.

ꢀ Do not get under your vehicle with

just the body jack supporting it. Al-

ways use automotive jack stands or

other solid supports.

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.

ꢀ Be sure that the hybrid system is

in the “OFF” mode if you work near

the electric cooling fans or radiator

grille. With the ignition on, the

electric cooling fans will automati-

cally start to run if the engine cool-

ant temperature is high and/or the

air conditioning is on.

ꢀ If the hybrid system is hot, do not

remove the radiator cap or loosen

the drain plugs to prevent burning

yourself.

For information on tools and parts for do−

it−yourself maintenance, see “Parts and

tools” on page 397.

ꢀ Do not leave anything that may

burn easily, such as paper or rags,

in the engine compartment.

ꢀ 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.

Utmost care should be taken when work-

ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental

ꢀ Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-

low open flames around fuel or the

batteries. Their fumes are flam-

mable.

injury. Here are

a

few precautions that

you should be especially careful to ob-

serve:

ꢀ Be extremely cautious when work-

ing on the batteries. It contains poi-

sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid

or strong alkali.

394

z If you spill some of the coolant, be

sure to wash it off with water to

prevent it from damaging the parts

or paint.

ꢀ 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.

ꢀ When servicing the vehicle with the

smart entry and start system, be

sure to keep the smart key away

from the vehicle. If the key is left

in the vehicle, the hybrid system

may start by pressing the “POWER”

switch with the brake pedal de-

pressed.

z Do not allow dirt or anything else

to fall through the spark plug holes.

z Do not pry the outer electrode of

spark plug against the center elec-

trode.

ꢀ Do not leave used oil within the

reach of children.

z Use only spark plugs of the speci-

fied type. Using other types will

cause engine damage, loss of per-

formance or radio noise.

NOTICE

z Remember that batteries and igni-

tion cable carry high currents or

voltages. Be careful of accidentally

causing a short circuit.

ꢀ 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 If the brake fluid is spilled on the

vehicle, be sure to wash it off with

water to prevent it damage to parts

or paint.

z Add only “Toyota Super Long Life

Coolant” or similar high quality eth-

ylene glycol based non−silicate,

non−amine, non−nitrite, and non−bo-

rate coolant with long−life hybrid

organic acid technology to fill the

radiator. “Toyota Super Long Life

Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-

ant and 50% deionized water (for

the U.S.A.) or 55% coolant and 45%

deionized water (for Canada).

z Do not drive with the air cleaner

filter removed, or excessive engine

wear could result. Also backfiring

ꢀ 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.

could cause

compartment.

a

fire in the engine

z Be careful not to scratch the glass

surface with the wiper frame.

z When closing the hood, check to

see that you have not forgotten any

tools, rags, etc.

395

Positioning the jack

When jacking up your vehicle with the

jack, position the jack correctly as

shown in the illustrations.

ꢀ Do not raise the vehicle with some-

one in the vehicle.

ꢀ When raising the vehicle, do not

place any objects on top of or un-

derneath the jack.

CAUTION

When jacking, be sure to observe the

following to reduce the possibility of

personal injury:

81p008d

NOTICE

ꢀ Follow jacking instructions.

Make sure to place the jack correctly,

or your vehicle may be damaged.

ꢀ Do not put any part of your body

under the vehicle supported by the

jack. Personal injury may occur.

Front

ꢀ Do not start or run the engine while

your vehicle is supported by the

jack.

ꢀ Stop the vehicle on

a

level firm

ground, firmly set the parking brake

and put the transaxle in “P”.

ꢀ 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.

81p009d

ꢀ Never get under the vehicle when

the vehicle is supported by the jack

alone.

Rear

396

Parts and tools

Here is a list of parts and tools you will

need to perform 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:

ꢀ Funnel

ꢀ 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):

ꢀ Bulb with same number and wattage

rating as original (See charts in “Re-

placing light bulbs–” on page 418.)

ꢀ Rag or paper towel

ꢀ Funnel (only for adding fluid)

ꢀ Engine oil ILSAC multigrade having vis-

Tools:

cosity proper for your climate

CHECKING 12 VOLT BATTERY CON-

DITION

ꢀ Screwdriver

Tools:

ꢀ Rag or paper towel

ꢀ Funnel (only for adding oil)

CHECKING THE COOLANT LEVEL

Parts (if level is low):

ꢀ Warm water

ꢀ Baking soda

ꢀ Grease

ꢀ Conventional

wrench

(for

terminal

ꢀ “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or

similar high quality ethylene glycol

based non−silicate, non−amine, non−ni-

trite, and non−borate coolant with long−

life hybrid organic acid technology.

clamp bolts)

CHECKING AND REPLACING FUSES

Parts (if replacement is necessary):

ꢀ Fuse with same amperage rating as

“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a

mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deion-

ized water (for the U.S.A.) or 55%

coolant and 45% deionized water (for

Canada).

original

ADDING WASHER FLUID

Parts:

ꢀ Water

Tools:

ꢀ Washer fluid containing antifreeze (for

ꢀ Funnel (only for adding coolant)

winter use)

397

398

DO-IT-YOURSELF MAINTENANCE Introduction for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Second Generation (2004-2009)

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