Newbie, bought 2002, are horror story's true?

[jdms2000]

change the transaxle fluid now.

[joeman]

Originally Posted by jdms2000

change the transaxle fluid now.

LOL, You got that right.

In the process of getting things together to do that. I guess I will need to put a new gasket on pan before putting back up on transaxle, maybe some gasket sealer. Yes working on updating coolant for transaxle and the engine coolant. Yep going to get this baby right. The former owner, she was not a person to know about keeping up with things. I think her husband changed the oil, that was about it. She even said, it was the type car that didn't need much. The good thing i have going with this car, is it only has 71k.

Later, Joe

[windshearalert]

As with any other car...if you start reading through the forums, you can start to get a little worried. Glad you have decided to tackle the nomal maintenance items. Once you get the car lined back out, im sure you will feel a lot better when you are driving it.
I picked up a 1995 impala SS last year, with 80k miles on it. Bought up in Missouri and drove it back home to little Rock. On way home, you guessed it...check engine light. It can happen to any car. Doesnt matter if its a Prius, or a Mercedes, or Chevrolet Chevette. (Well, it was more of a all the time thing with the chevette..LOL) I think most people worried if the check engine light was OFF on those cars..HA!...
On the impala, it turned out to be a cracked Left side exhaust manifold....simple fix...but thats how the ball bounces....
And NO! I never owned a chevette! But my x wife did when we were dating. Circa 1987. Why wasnt the internet available back then....i could have really used the techdata to work on that car! Oh the pain....Oh the agony!

[joeman]

Update on my 2002 with 71k. I changed the engine oil and filter myself today, really straight forward. my carport concrete pad has a bit of a slant, so when i rolled it on one 2x8 then higher on the next 2x8 boards the car was level and i could get under it. Drained a full gallon of oil out. I knew previous owner had overfilled it. Glad it has new oil now and it's not overfilled.
While i was under there I located the transaxle, noted the pan with the 12 bolts and looks like the fill bolt is just above on the front side of the engine. Looks like I will drain, then drop the pan, clean and refill to bottom of fill plug. Do I need to use a new gasket and sealer? Of course I will update the transaxle fluid with the World Standard fluid. Then torque

While I was under car I was amazed at how clean and rust free the underbody was.

Thanks for any help, and I have enjoyed reading the post from everyone.
I think this could be the end of this thread, got a little off the original topic.

Joe

[bwilson4web]

Hi,

This might help:

2003 Prius - Cold Weather and Transaxle

Also check the web. Hobbit has a good web site on doing it too.

Bob Wilson

[joeman]

Thanks Bob, I'm sure the website will help.

Joe

[jdms2000]

just gasket. no sealant