Maintenance and care -> Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2015)

4-1. Maintenanc e and c are  
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior  
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle’s interior and  
keep it in top condition:  
Protecting the vehicle interior  
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-  
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.  
Cleaning the leather areas  
Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.  
Wipe off any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened  
with diluted detergent.  
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool deter-  
gent.  
Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly  
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.  
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Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-  
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded and venti-  
lated area.  
Cleaning the synthetic leather areas  
Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.  
Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather using a  
sponge or soft cloth.  
Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the  
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.  
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4-1. 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  
keeping 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.  
CAUTION  
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 vents, and in the luggage compartment.  
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. 142)  
An electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function  
properly, 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.  
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4-1. Maintenance and care  
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 alcohol  
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.  
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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.  
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.  
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. Use a cloth dampened  
with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in  
strokes running parallel to the heater wires.  
Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires.  
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