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General maintenance question on 2014 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by mg555, Aug 24, 2020.

  1. mg555

    mg555 Junior Member

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    Hi all! I have a 2014 Prius with 65K miles on it. Bought her new in Feb 2015. She is just over 5 years old. Reside in western Tennessee, so mostly hot summers and not too terribly cold winters. Mostly city driving with 2-3 road trips per year on the car. Luckily I have not had any problems with my Prius and am very happy with the car. And, I would like to keep it that way! I do regular scheduled maintenance at local Toyota dealership that includes synthetic oil changes / air filter change every 10K miles, rotate tires every 5K. Change cabin filter every 30K. New tires 2 years ago. Other than that, I have not done anything else.

    I want to make sure that my Prius stays in the great condition that she is in, so are there other things that "should" be done that I have not done? Change any certain fluids, etc?

    Thanks for any help you can give this older gal!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the best thing to do is follow toyota's recommended maintenance in the guide that came with your car, or go to toyota.com/owners and sign up.
    be sure to follow the time vs miles, and use whichever comes first.

    one thing to add might be a tranny fluid change, which toyota does not recommend, but experts here do, for people who intend to keep their car long term.

    i assume you mean the air filter at 30k and cabin filter at 15? and you don't necessarily have to change them, inspect/clean/replace if necessary.

    check the filter on the battery cooling intake as well.
     
    mg555 likes this.
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah the engine filter every 10k seems excessive, especially paying someone labour to do it.

    Inspect is the operative word. I'm closing in on 90k kms, on both original filters. Guess I should change soon. Engine filter in particular looks almost new.
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    What about extreme driving conditions like country side with agriculture dirt tilling and harvesting? I changed mine every year, clouds and clouds of dirt erosion from wind also gah!
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's true; depends on the environment.
     
  6. mg555

    mg555 Junior Member

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    Thanks for the posts. Sorry for my delay in responding back. I guess it is the Air filter and the Cabin filter that were replaced at 30K service and 60K service. But other than that just regular oil changes.

    Car drives fine and I have no issues with it what so ever. No complaints. BUT Dealership has recommended (and I don't see this on the Toyota maintenance schedule) that I have these services done and I am not sure if they are needed. So that is why I am asking you experts here.

    - 3 Part air, fuel and engine decarbonization
    - Induction service with throttle body cleaning
    - Brake fluid exchange


    Dealership has never mentioned to me that I should change the transmission fluid as was suggested in above post. At what milage (or years of age of car) would you do that?

    Thanks again for suggestions!
     
    #6 mg555, Aug 30, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2020
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Ha HA ha HA
    Don't waste your money! They are gimmicks!

    To properly "decarboniaze" the engine means you must take it apart.
    Decarbonize air? Fuel? :ROFLMAO:

    They'll spray cleaner in the intake and call it throttle body cleaning. :ROFLMAO:

    Brake build exchange? Never heard of that one. But it sounds like great water front
    property in the everglades....

    Cleaning the EGR circuit will get rid of the oil and carbon build up in the intake manifold
    and egr cooler. Which will keep the system from getting too much back pressure and blowing the head gasket.

    According to Toyota, the trans fluid is "lifetime" fluid and doesn't need to be change.
    But to smart people, the know it needs to be changed. 100,000 the first time, and 50,000 after that.
    Though it if lasts 100,000 miles the first time, why not the 2nd? 3rd?


     
  8. burebista

    burebista Active Member

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    I vote for brake fluid exchange.
    The other two are snake oil IMO.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The ATF fluid change I would have done ASAP. Should not cost more than $100.

    Toyota Canada recommends brake fluid change tri-yearly or 30k miles. I'd second that. Should not cost more than $125.

    Intake manifold and throttle body cleaning, thorough cleaning, is a very good idea. Unfortunately they're likely only doing a quick spray can. So look elsewhere, or research DIY here.

    Full EGR cleaning too is warranted. Again, DIY is optimum route; dealership will be useless. <You're not overdue by any means, but something to think about, sooner than later.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Aug 30, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2020
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Okay, that is a very good guess.... but only Toyota knows for sure. (y)

     
  11. mg555

    mg555 Junior Member

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    Is ATF"- Automatic Transmission Fluid? I thought it was a closed system or something like that and did not have to be changed until 100K or 120K miles?
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Officially there is no change interval. My two cent opinion, around one year or 10k miles is good for a first change, and judging just from drain fluid color, might be the only drain needed. I've done 3 changes, and even with extended interval, the first was the darkest.

    The official name for the fluid is:

    Toyota ATF WS

    There's a fill and drain bolt, both are socket head cap screw, require a 10mm hex key style socket, torque is 29 ft/lb. it's a good idea to change the washers.

    Correct level when refilling is achieved by filling till it starts coming back out, with the car level. A funnel with about 3 foot hose extension is simple/effective. It'll take 3.5~4.0 quarts. Buy 4 and you'll be fine (should be under $10 per).
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Aug 30, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2020
  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    According to Toyota..... it is a LIFETIME fluid. So there is no change interval, according to Toyota.
    Lifetime to a manufacturer means until the warranty runs out...
    It would not hurt to change it every 50,000 or so miles.
    It's easy to do and not expensive.


     
  14. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    That’s info is relevant for people who plan to sell their car Right before the 100K mark. Anyone who want to keep it trouble-free beyond 150,000K will follow the 30,000 / 60,000 rule.