Advice please: brake pads from shop or from dealership?

The document that you referenced is obsolete. After the Gen3 came out (with the 0W20 recommendation), Toyota came out with a chart listing which oils were appropriate for which vehicles. I noticed that 0W20 was an acceptable choice for a Gen2. I still use 5W30 as I'm afraid of getting oil leaks with the thinner oil, but 0W20 is documented by Toyota to be an acceptable choice.

I have 5 keyfobs for my Gen2. 3 of them were purchased used off eBay, and all of them are full function. It would take weeks to read all the discussion about keyfobs here on PriusChat. Short answer: used keyfobs can be made fully functional with the proper knowledge and equipment.

 

I have the latest GenII, Toyota TSB that was updated April 2007 to add the 2007 Prius, but it also says to use 5w30
Do you have information to support your statement ?

Care to elaborate on the proper equipment statement ?

 

There is nothing wrong with that, if you can maintain full control over access to the vehicle while the brakes are being worked on.

Some work environments perhaps are less-structured than yours. For example a DIYer probably does not have a lift and the car will be suspended on jackstands or worse.

Then his spouse, significant other or child may decide to provide him company and get into the car on the driver's side. When the driver's door is opened, the body ECU will send a signal to the skid control ECU. The skid control ECU will power up the brake accumulator pump.

Or, the visitor may enter the car via another door, then depress the POWER button to enter ACC-ON, IG-ON, or READY, with the motive of lowering a window, or turning on the sound system to provide entertaining music.

In either case, the brake accumulator pump will have powered up at an inopportune moment while the brakes are disassembled.

If the 12V battery is disconnected, there is no way those particular scenarios could unfold.

Hi Rob,

I have not seen such a chart published by TMS USA. I agree that in other parts of the world, 0W-20 is deemed acceptable for 2G use. However those parts of the world do not necessarily have the same hot summer weather as can be found in the southwestern US, for example.

 

Next time I have my C on the lift, I'll test your theory I have an oil change and tire rotation coming up in 1200 miles. That will be the perfect time to do a little video of my test.
While the pump may run to pressurize the accumulator, I don't believe it actually applies the brakes. That's only done through the stabilization system. Anyways, we will know for sure one way or the other when I do the actual test. That should eliminate all doubt. Thanks!

 

How can I find it if I don't know it's name? All the Indie's on here proudly announce there name and location
trying to attract Prius business.

 

Hahahaha! It's in my info page. Auto1Diagnostic. I don't need to solicit on the web to gain business.
Mine comes by word of mouth and I have plenty of work. Here's my blog page if you're interested.

Auto1Diagnostic – 831-272-2261 | Open Monday through Saturday From 8AM until 6PM

 

The official Toyota equipment is the Techstream software with a Mongoose OBD adapter. Resetting the security ECUs requires a Security Professional account with Toyota. $$$$

A Mini VCI off eBay is an OBD adapter with a hacked copy of Techstream. $20 ? Several versions with quality between "sorta works" and poor. Then buy passcodes for 20 Euro each from a place in Lithuania. Smartkey Seed/Passcode calculation service | PriusChat .

Locksmiths have a variety of equipment that can reset the ECUs. You have to make friends with distributors to get any real data about the equipment. Or Google "locksmith equipment" and see what you can make of Chinese knockoffs.

 

Okay! Thanks for the information

 

It was a chart here on PriusChat in a thread on oil. Long lost in my memory, but as I recall, it was a Toyota official document. I considered using 0W-20 for better mileage, but then decided that it might be more prone to leaks in an engine not originally designed for it.

My guess is that 0W-20 is required in Gen3+ in order to meet mileage claims. Since there aren't any temperature restrictions on it for Gen3, I don't see why it would be a problem for Gen2. Maybe we need to revive a thread on the topic.

 

Well, without proper verification regarding your verbal statement from Toyota, the last TSB in 07 would carry the correct information. 5W30

 

Forget TSBs, hot or cold, may leak or not. Use AMSOIL 0-20 end of story, A non-discussion , definitive answer. Get 250,000 - 350,000+ easy.