Get Maintenance and care -> Engine compartment Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2015)

4-3. Do-it-yourself m aintenanc e

Engine compartment

4

Engine coolant reservoir

Brake fluid reservoir

(P. 427)

(P. 424)

Engine oil level dipstick

Fuse box

Radiator

(P. 456)

(P. 426)

(P. 420)

Engine oil filler cap

Condenser

(P. 420)

Power control unit coolant

Electric cooling fans

Washer fluid tank (P. 429)

reservoir

(P. 424)

■12-volt battery

P. 431

419

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Engine oil

With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil

level on the dipstick.

■ Checking the engine oil

STEP

1

Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine

and turning off the hybrid system, wait more than 5 minutes

for the oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.

Holding a rag under the end, pull

the dipstick out.

STEP

2

STEP

3

4

5

Wipe the dipstick clean.

Reinsert the dipstick fully.

Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check

the oil level.

STEP

6

Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.

Low

Full

ITO43P108

420

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■ Adding engine oil

If the oil level is below or near

the low level mark, add engine

oil of the same type as that

already in the engine.

Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before

adding oil.

Engine oil selection P. 564

Oil quantity

1.6 qt. (1.5 L, 1.3 Imp.qt.)

(Low  Full)

Items

Clean funnel

4

STEP

1

2

3

Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.

Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.

Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.

421

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■Engine oil consumption

●The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the

quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.

●More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and

frequent acceleration and deceleration.

●A new engine consumes more oil.

●When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil

may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accu-

rately.

●Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt./600 miles (1.0 L/1000 km, 0.9 Imp.qt./

600 miles)

●If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp.qt.) every

600 miles (1000 km), contact your Toyota dealer.

422

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

CAUTION

■Used engine oil

●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may

cause skin disorders such as inflammation and skin cancer, so care

should be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used

engine oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do

not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the

ground. Call your Toyota dealer, service station or auto parts store for

information concerning recycling or disposal.

●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

NOTICE

■To prevent serious engine damage

4

Check the oil level on a regular basis.

■When replacing the engine oil

●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.

●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.

●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you refill the vehicle.

●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.

423

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Coolant

The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the full (“FULL” or “F”)

and low (“LOW” or “L”) lines on the reservoir when the hybrid system

is cold.

Engine coolant reservoir

Reservoir cap

“FULL” line

“LOW” line

If the level is on or below the

“LOW” line, add coolant up to the

“FULL” line. (P. 566)

ITO43P111

Power control unit coolant reservoir

Reservoir cap

“F” line

“L” line

If the level is on or below the “L”

line, add coolant up to the “F” line.

(P. 566)

424

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■Coolant selection

Only use “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.

U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% cool-

ant and 50% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -31 F

[-35 C])

Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% cool-

ant and 45% deionized water. (Minimum temperature: -44 F

[-42 C])

For more details about coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.

■If the coolant level drops within a short time of replenishing

Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine/power control unit coolant reser-

voir caps, drain cock and water pump.

If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer test the cap and check for

leaks in the cooling system.

4

CAUTION

■When the hybrid system is hot

Do not remove the engine/power control unit coolant reservoir caps.

The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the

cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.

425

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

NOTICE

■When adding coolant

Coolant is neither plain water nor straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of

water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion

protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.

■If you spill coolant

Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it from damaging parts or paint.

Radiator and condenser

Check the radiator and condenser and clear away any foreign

objects.

If either of the above parts is extremely dirty or you are not sure of

their condition, have your vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer.

CAUTION

■When the hybrid system is hot

Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-

ous injuries, such as burns.

426

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Brake fluid

■ Checking fluid level

The brake fluid level should be

between the “MAX” and “MIN”

lines on the tank.

ITO43P151

■ Adding fluid

Push the tab in and lift the cover

off.

4

ITO43P152

Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary item.

Fluid type

Items

FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake fluid

Clean funnel

427

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air

Excess moisture in the brake fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking

efficiency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.

CAUTION

■When filling the reservoir

Take care as brake fluid can harm your hands and 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 discomfort, see a doctor.

NOTICE

■If the fluid level is low or high

It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads

wear out or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.

If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, there may be a serious problem.

428

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

Washer fluid

Open the lid.

STEP

1

Check the washer fluid level on

the level gauge.

STEP

2

“NORMAL”

“LOW”

4

If the washer fluid level is at

“LOW”, add washer fluid.

STEP

3

429

4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance

CAUTION

■When adding washer fluid

Do not add washer fluid when the hybrid system is hot or operating as

washer fluid contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.

NOTICE

■Do not use any fluid other than washer fluid

Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.

Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.

■Diluting washer fluid

Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.

Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-

tle.

430

Maintenance and care -> Engine compartment for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Third Generation (2010-2015)

Related Topics

Maintenance and care

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals