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Prius c maintenance advise

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by fermuscolo, May 6, 2019.

  1. fermuscolo

    fermuscolo Member

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    Hello, I have a 2012 Prius C with 80.000 miles. I was doing the maintenance at a Toyota dealer till now. I was recently started to do Uber so now the car is getting miles fast. Two questions. Apart from the normal oil filter change visual inspection what is important to do at 90.000 and in the future, 120.000 and after? Also doing Uber I'm getting Sears points and discounts on service. Do you think its ok to do the more specific services at Sears car department? Thanks a lot!!
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Sears can safely handle oil changes, tires, alignments & wiper blades. You'll save money using them for those services.

    Your owners manual lists exactly which items should be serviced and the repetition period for each.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    consider changing the tranny oil. toyota considers it 'lifetime', some experts here consider it not, after testing.
     
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  4. fermuscolo

    fermuscolo Member

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    My Owners manual do not list any schedule but says that a supplemental manual have it. I bought my car used and dont have that manual thats why I was asking. Thanks anyway
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    search online and at the toyota owners site. shouldn't be hard to find, although someone here will probably post it.

    there's nothing but checks and filters and lube until the big one around 100-120k, then it's plugs and fluid changes.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You're correct that the maintenance schedule is in the supplemental booklet (Warranty and Maintenance Guide). You can find it here:

    Google "Toyota Tech Info", typically first hit will be correct one
    Select "Manuals" tab
    Enter your vehicle info and search

    Regarding maintenance, a couple of things haven't been mentioned yet:

    Brakes: Toyota USA recommends a full inspection, tri-yearly or 30K miles, whichever comes first.

    Brake fluid change: Toyota USA says nothing, but Toyota Canada says tri-yearly or 48K (30K miles), whichever comes first.

    I'd second the recommendation to change the transaxle fluid, asap. Use only Toyota ATF WS. I don't have Prius c repair manual info, but correct level at refill will very likely be achieved by adding fluid at the fill hole, with the car level, until it starts coming back out.
     
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    You can always get the updated manual free from Toyota in digital form.
     
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  8. fermuscolo

    fermuscolo Member

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    Thanks you all!!
     
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  9. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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  10. fermuscolo

    fermuscolo Member

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    I was going to change transmission oil. My Prius C has 83000 miles. They say to me that I can't change it now, or you change it every 30000 or never change it. I remember someone told me the same years ago about other cars. That is correct? Thanks
     
  11. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Toyota says it isn't necessary to change it ever.

    Not everyone agrees.

    A Prius transmission is very different from a traditional automatic transmission. One of the differences is that there are no friction clutches, so there is no major source of particulate contamination. Thus the fluid stays clean, and there is no need for a transmission oil filter.

    Our car only has about 26,000 miles so far so this hasn't been an issue for us yet.

    If you do change it, make certain to use Toyota WS fluid- no substitute.
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think a single transaxle fluid change is most beneficial, preferably early on. This is just from the fluid appearance: I've done more than one (won't divulge how many :oops:) and the first, at around 15K kms, was by far the darkest.