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Prius c Maintenance Schedule

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by usbseawolf2000, Mar 6, 2012.

  1. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I reviewed the normal condition maintenance schedule and it is very simple.

    • Replace Engine Oil and Filter every 10,000 miles (1 year).
    • Replace Cabin and Engine air filters every 30,000 miles (3 years).
    • Replace Engine Coolant at 100,000 miles (10 years). Replace every 50,000 miles (5 years) thereafter.
    • Replace Spark Plugs every 120,000 miles (12 years).
    • Replace Inverter Coolant at 150,000 miles (15 years). Replace every 50,000 miles (5 years) thereafter.

    One thing I do not see mentioned in there is the 12V battery. It should last 5 years, if not longer because it is located in the cabin, air conditioned.

    The rest are just tire rotation and inspections of fluid levels, etc. There is no belt, chain, starter, alternator or steering wheel fluid in Prius c.

    There is brake fluid but it does not require maintenance. The brake pads/shoes should last the life time of the car as well, due to regen brakes.

    Transmission fluid is there but it does not require replacing.

    Source
     
    minkus, iSphinx, strongbad and 5 others like this.
  2. LizKauai

    LizKauai First PriusC3 owner on Kauai!

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    Wow! That is awesome!
     
  3. phenoyz

    phenoyz Member

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    Fantastic!!!!C is well worth it
     
  4. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Surprised they would drop brake fluid. Though it should stay good a long long time.

    Also, the tranny fluid should be changed if you want to protect the car for the long term. Many estimate 30,000 initial, then every 60,000 or so. Just a drain & fill, but reject the whole concept of permanent fluids. Within the warranty period, sure, it will last or Toyota will pay. Keeping it longer, change tranny fluid. At least pull a sample for testing if not planning to change.
     
  5. phenoyz

    phenoyz Member

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    This sounds really cool
     
  6. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Back in the late 1960's when I first started driving I had
    to change spark plugs and points at least every
    10,000 miles, sometimes even sooner.

    Just oil and filter changes for the first 100,000 miles
    or so are all that is really needed with the Prius C..

    An the oil changes are every 10,000 miles instead of
    every 5,000 or 7,500 miles like other cars.

    Its nice not to have to worry about changing drive belts
    and serpentine belts every 30,000 miles or so...
     
    WVPriusCZ2 likes this.
  7. HaveNoCents

    HaveNoCents Conservative Tree Hugger

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    Yep, I remember those days well. The only good thing about it was that it was easy to learn how to do it yourself, and pretty easy to diagnose problems. Now it goes to the shop to let the computers figure out what is wrong.


    iPad ?
     
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I have 158k miles with the original front pads and rear shoes.
     
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  9. Marsupial

    Marsupial New Member

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    Wow, that maintenance schedule looks great, especially since I just spent $800 on the 60K miles service on my '07 Civic. It reminds me of my dad's good old Mazda B2200 little pickup truck - 150K miles with nothing but oil changes, few air filters, and couple brake pad replacements - that thing was impossible to wear out and my dad, my brother, and I drove it hard. It really had no acceleration to speak of and was a rolling adventure in the winter, but it was just so cheap to own. Have a feeling that PC (Prius C) might be even cheaper to own once you pay for it completely.
     
  10. phenoyz

    phenoyz Member

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    is the engine oil being used is 0W-20?
     
  11. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Yes, I remember seeing 0w20 like Gen III liftback.
     
  12. phenoyz

    phenoyz Member

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    what is a "Touch Tracer"? I believe the III has that option?
     
  13. wongnog

    wongnog Member

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    Wrong thread but it's touch sensitive steering wheel mounted controls for stereo, hands free calling, and temperature which also show an image of the buttons you're touching in the Multi Information Display so you don't have to take your eyes off the road.

    My question is how come oil changes are only once per year? Is it because a hybrid uses the traditional engine less frequently than a conventional automobile?
     
  14. pmike

    pmike Member

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    The problem is dealerships always "recommend" maintenance above and beyond what is required by the manufacturer. Wait until the maintenance indicator comes on and then look up in the manual what is required and only allow them to preform that. The dealership only sees our cars for warranty work. Not only is it unethical for them to do this it is just plain wasteful of resources, especially of my time and money.

    Unless you have a Civic SI nothing is required outside of oil changes and air filters until 100k.
     
  15. strongbad

    strongbad Member

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    That oil change interval is fairly typical of newer cars. My '02 Acura has the same interval of 10kmi for normal duty and 5kmi for severe service--severe service defined as short trip driving in cold weather or dusty conditions. You should do a few oil analysis to establish what interval is best for your driving conditions.
     
  16. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    I totally agree and change any car that's life time fill. Many BMW transmission went bad due to this among other cars im sure. Keep it fresh and the car will go 1 million miles original transmission :D

    I comeing from a 278k mile Jeep with the original transmission due to good oil changes fully every 30k which would take 16 quarts to do properly and completely.
     
  17. formula

    formula Member

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    it is better to change the transmission oil even they said it doesn't need to. lol

    I worked in a shop before and I see many Prius have transmission failure because of too much moisture in the transmission oil.
     
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  18. wongnog

    wongnog Member

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    Does anyone have a link to the Canadian Prius c maintenance schedule? I know we are told to replace engine oil and filter every 8000 km (6 months). It's disturbing that Toyota Canada claims the same oil and filter in this country only lasts half the time it does our American counterparts!
     
  19. bdub

    bdub New Member

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    The oil and filter technology is getting better thus requiring less frequent changes. I ran Amsoil in my truck for 15k mile intervals.
     
  20. moezer2112

    moezer2112 Futurist

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    well its more disturbing that they're telling us to keep it in 2x as long as the canadians. we're the ones taking on the risk in that deal!
     
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