My Ebay Purchase: 2005 Toyota Prius

sounds like a katrina car. happy fifth anniversary!

 

41.7?

Sounds like a big problem.. But now that your hubs are new, this might increase. Check spark plugs. Make sure their the NGK Irridiums. They are defiantly worth the extra $. Next do your tire pressure. I fill mine to 42 front 44 rear. Also check your air filter.

Mike

 

Whats the temperature over there in canada?

 

Your low mileage may be a sign that your 12v battery may need to be replaced. i've been reading on PC that low mileage could be a sign of a battery on the way out. Do a search for more info.

 

I'm pretty new to the world or Prii myself got our 'Mina in June of this year. The Prii have a smaller 12v battery than "regular" cars since we only need the battery to start the computers. From what I've read our only choices are buying an OEM battery or for a few dollars more a replacement can be found here: 12 Volt (12v) Toyota Prius Auxilary Battery for 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 with installation kit, unless you try to modify something and can figure out how to vent it... I have a 2004 Prius and think the battery needs to be replaced, esp. since the history is largly unknown in terms of her upkeep. Prii Gurus feel free to jump in and correct me. I've found the best way to get information is to use the search bar at the top of the page. It'll search through all the PC for your info. So far my experience here have been there are a bunch of good guys adn gals here and they are willing to help a newbie make the most of their Prius experience.

 

When you get home register the car on the Toyota Owner web site. You'll be able to pull up DEALER maintance. When I did it for my car all that showed up was recall work so I'm SOL but with 105k, bought it with 101k, on it is seems to be running great.

 

how many miles on her? 41 is low for some, average for others. keep searching the forums, there's tons of info on how to improve mileage, how to test battery, where to get replacement. if you get stumped on a specific problem, ask away! all the best!

 

I bought mine on ebay too, had approx same mileage. Did you get yours from around philly? The guy I bought mine from seems to sell a good bit of them on ebay.

 

Few service writers know what to do with a Prius. This is compounded by Toyota claiming that Type WS ATF is good for the life of the car (it isn't). They will then tell you that a "Flush" is better (they can't do a flush on a Prius). So do your own research and make up your own mind. I change my ATF every 60,000 miles (tomorrow is the 180,000 mile ATF drain and refill day for my 2004 Prius).

JeffD

 

if you're gonna keep it a coulple hundred thousand, change it now and every sixty. and don't ask the dealer, search this site. the dealer doesn't go to the trouble of sending oil to an analysis shop for testing. some people here do. the dealer doen't care if your car breaks down.

 

Mine was a different guy, i actually picked mine up by meeting him at a warehouse. Very shady, looking back but it turned out good.

Anyways, I just spend much time trying to figure out what to do with mine, and slowly i've been completing my maintenance.

Other things to add to your list are serpentine belt replacement, and inverter pump replacement.

Also, I would recommend putting a bead of silicone down your plastic cowl, (after doing the maintence, or you might have to do it a few times like I have had to). Because of the flaw that water drips down into the ignition coil and causes it to go bad. This left me having to tow the car, and it is a reported problem.

I am not sure how common, but its a headache.

Otherwise, I think you got everything down. I am not mechanically inclined and so far, with the help of this site I have done everything myself (excluding the inverter coolant pump and serpentine belt, I just haven't got the chance to do them yet, which by the way is when I am changing the coolant).

Good luck, and hopefully you try some things yourself, I feel much more connected to the car, and if something were to go wrong better apt to diagnosis it now.


EDIT: had i have known my car like i do know, I could have easily checked the ignition coil and replaced it. So it wouldn't have been as big or costly of a headache.

 

All the tips suggested are great. Search ALL of Pat Wongs postings. He is our DIY expert on maintenance. Don't try to do this all at once. Search for a subject, do it and then move on to the next. You mentioned rust under the seats, I would remove all the seats and check any and all connectors you can find and inspect them carefully. There are sprays on the market which will clean up rusty connectors. Just disconnecting and connecting several times will also help. In the process of removing carpeting you may find other saturated deteriation. Many cars were slumped off after Hurricane Katrina and sold to innocent parties.

 

I agree, Patrick Wong has a wealth of knowledge.