Brake Fluid 2010 Prius

Unless you've got a leak, or you're doing your own brake bleeding, ie: you're just thinking to top up because the fluid's dropped a bit: I'd leave it alone. Brake fluid level in the reserve drops as brake pads wear. Typically by the time the pads are near minimum thickness the fluid level will be near the low mark. And when new pads are installed, and the pistons pushed back to accommodate the increased thickness, the level will go back up to the top mark. If you've filled in the interim, you'll need to baste out that added fluid.

 

+1

 

Never add brake fluid! Never replace it either. It doesn't ever wear out. Unless you have a leak, it's a closed system. If it's low it's probably because you need brakes. It gets low because they are hydraulic and the fluid takes the place of the space needed to fill the lines when the calipers move in. If you add it them squeeze back the calipers during brake replacement, it comes out of the reservoir and runs down the engine area.

 

^ Like the first sentence. Not so much the second: even Toyota is saying to replace brake fluid now, tri-yearly, as evidenced by the 2014 prius warranty and maintenance booklet.

 

Unless there's a leak you should never add brake fluid, it serves as a indicator on how much pads are left, and sometimes the brake pump will burp excess fluid out to the tank this can cause spillage.

You should replace fluids every 2 years, brake fluids are hygroscopic which means water absorbing, no matter how tight the lid is on moisture will eventually creep in and begin to contaminate the fluid, as flushing i think that is very important, brake fluid will break down as it goes to its heat cycles ie using brakes, these brake down will reduce its resistance to heat and will contribute to poor braking performance in the long run.

 

Hi there, I am not sure if the “maintenance and warranty” booklet that came with my 2014 prius says anything about Brake Fluid change lol can you pinpoint me? Thanks

 

Apologies, I should have clarified: it's Toyota Canada that started saying to periodically change brake fluid. Toyota USA still says nothing on the subject.

That difference in itself is disconcerting. What it says to me is that with such divergent policies, it pays to research it, decide for yourself.

FWIW, the 3rd gen Repair Manual has a couple of instructions: one with and one without Techstream.