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new to me 08 model - what are must do's

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by wgarider, Jan 12, 2019.

  1. wgarider

    wgarider Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2018
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    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I'm acquiring an 08 from my dad - hes done all the required maintenance over the years and the only thing I'm aware of that it needs, is new tires. What are other things I should check and what are some of the 'must haves' that I should look into? IT has a stock radio which I haven't checked into replacements for yet.

    For reference, I'm moving to the Prius from a 2014 Sonic XLS - I don't know yet what package the Prius came with so I can't compare what I have in the Sonic, to the Prius.....'Thanks for any help......
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    congrats!

    why does your vehicle say 2009?

    how many miles on her?

    if he has done all the required maintenance, you might want to change the tranny fluid

    all the best!(y)
     
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  3. wgarider

    wgarider Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2018
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    Location:
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    typo. 63k miles. Thanks for tip on trans fluid!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    Location:
    Laughlin, Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Welcome to Prius ownership and a great website. To fix your typo you can edit the year of your car in your account profile. Hover the cursor over your name on the right side of the blue bar at the top of this page, and then click on "Personal Details". Car details are about halfway down.
     
  5. wgarider

    wgarider Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Cool. Thank you!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Yeah, I agree with the above. Since he's been doing the standard maintenance items, replacing the transaxle oil is a good idea. Not very expensive and it's easy to do if you can get the car up high enough to work under it and still keep it reasonably level. Most people never do this, but it's been pretty well documented here on PC that doing this at least once improves the chances of the transaxle having a long and healthy life.

    Otherwise, just follow the schedule. It's a tough car.
     
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  7. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2004
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    Location:
    Madison, Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Get yourself some standard diagnostic tools.
    Android phone/tablet that can access wifi/bluetooth
    Torque app
    ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII reader

    Copy of Techstream
    Minivci
    Cheap Windows XP laptop
     
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  8. mathewjg

    mathewjg Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
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    Until my catalytic converter was stolen I have not had any problems other than the 12v battery. 140k and not a single squeak or rattle. 54mpg (UK). Toyota "advised" new discs and pads 4 years ago but it has been passing the annual mot test each year and only this year did the tester suggest the rear pads will need changing soon.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  9. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    Location:
    Western Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Welcome! With such little mileage (63K), I would invest into Prolong system from Hybrid Automotive (not affiliated, just a satisfied customer) and run the traction battery through the reconditioning cycle. These cars like to be driven and with not much mileage on the clock the battery may not be in the greatest of shapes.

    Other than that, keep the basics basic and enjoy!

    P.S. If you are going from a 2014 to a 2008, check your expectations. 6 years makes a lot of difference in features. Prius is a wonderful car for the right owner who enjoys economy and utility over speed and 0-60 bragging rights.
     
    #9 VFerdman, Jan 23, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2019
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  10. caravan2429

    caravan2429 Junior Member

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    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Rear sway bar and speakers.
     
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  11. Fern1461

    Fern1461 Junior Member

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    Location:
    Houston, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Get an aftermarket stereo from Crutchfield. There is a resistor that needs to connected , however, while installing. No worries! Crutchfield also sells 3 way Posi connectors to do the job without soldering equipment.
     
  12. Phildo

    Phildo Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Perth, Western Australia
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    When I buy a Toyota hybrid I immediately do/replace:
    - Engine oil & filter (Filter: I use the Purolator PL14477 on both Prius and Camry Hybrid).
    - Transmission fluid (I mostly use Gulf Western Syn-TS - besides being fully synthetic, it’s versatile because it’s rated for almost all transmissions so I can use it on different cars).
    - Air filter.
    - Cabin filter.
    - Remove and clean hybrid battery blower fan (important!).
    - Remove spark plugs and put copper anti-seize on them (ie they seize up and can be a problem to remove later).
    - Check and clear diagnostic codes with Techstream (ie Toyota’s software).
    - Use Techstream to see how balanced the battery modules are.
    - I get carried away, and wash the engine bay and under the car.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I’ve also gotten carried away with a few cars recently by stripping the interiors and cleaning them. It’s a bunch of extra work but it makes a massive difference.

    I clean the seat belts - this makes quite a difference, particularly in well-used cars. I use Sard Wonder Degreasing (ie here in Australia) but anything for soaking stains out of clothing will do.

    Sard Wonder Degreaser | SardWonder

    [​IMG]

    For doing anything involving removing interior parts you’ll need one of these (trim removal tool):

    [​IMG]

    Sometimes I’ll soak the seat belt while it’s still in the car (ie pull belt out and use lock-pliers to stop it retracting:

    [​IMG]

    Or, remove the seat belts from the car. Also good for cleaning motorbike tie-downs, rags, etc:

    [​IMG]

    The water tends to go brown quickly as the gunk soaks out of the seat belt:

    [​IMG]

    Notice the difference in colour on this seat belt (ie the used and unused parts):

    [​IMG]

    With the seats and carpet removed:

    [​IMG]

    I mix up a bunch of Sard Wonder Degreasing in a weed sprayer bottle, spray it on the carpet and let it soak for a while. As with the seat belts, you can see the water go brown pretty quickly:

    [​IMG]

    Once it’s been soaking for a few hours I rinse it with a pressure washer.

    [​IMG]

    Before:

    [​IMG]

    After:

    [​IMG]

    I tried drying the carpet with the car’s heater. Stupid idea, and it didn’t work too well:

    [​IMG]

    Hanging out to dry for a couple of days worked better (ie garden hooks):

    [​IMG]

    Access the battery blower fan and clean it out:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I write the cleaning date on it as well:

    [​IMG]

    For the 12v battery there are two rubber drain plugs. I remove these and clean out the battery area with degreaser and a garden hose:

    [​IMG]

    Toyota are funny. I hate Toyota designers. There are drain plugs in the LH rear of the car. Whoever designed this part must have been around 4 years old:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    After a quick go with the Dremel you can see one of the drain plugs in the LH rear:

    [​IMG]

    After that I put those two plugs in the inside so that they’re easier to access (ie don’t have to be under the car):

    [​IMG]

    Hanging seat belts out to dry:

    [​IMG]

    If it’s too cold and wet to dry seat belts in the air then I drape them over the seat and run the car heater for a while. Seat belts dry quickly.

    On a couple of ex-taxis I cleaned out I removed the drain plugs in the floor and hosed out the interior:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The plastics go in the kitchen and get cleaned with detergent and hot water.

    Collection of photos: http://s260.photobucket.com/user/PhilMeUpBaby/media/Toyota/Interior_Cleanouts
     
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  13. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Those metal black end caps underneath the bottom of the rear seat on the right and left sides, now I'm curious if we have those over here.