Never owned a car before - I have some questions!

--If you let us know what region you live in, we may be able to find someone on here that's near you to make repairs more affordable.

--If you post a link to a video of the engine sound your're concerned about we might be able to help, but its not easy to do over the internet.

--When you deep clean your car you can either repaint those buttons, or what I did once was cover the buttons in black athletic tape, which has proven to be very durable and doesn't peel off if you install it correctly. Looks downright professional.

 

congrats and welcome! how many miles on her? do you know the service history?

 

Welcome to PriusChat!!

First check the dealer maintenance by running the VIN at : Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account

There is no AC belt, that is the engine water pump belt, an easy job, best to replace it if worn.

Change the oil every 5k, or yearly if you aren't driving it that often. Check the oil at every gas fill up.

If the WS transmission fluid hasn't been changed lately then best to do a simple drain and fill, just like on the engine oil.

 

Long post and never mentioned miles. A very old Prius with what I assume is high miles based on the interior is a very tough first car for someone with no tools or knowledge.
I can assure you one thing and that is it probably eats engine oil and the engine oil needs to be checked quite often unless you can afford a new engine. many an engine has been replaced on this site from lack of oil maintenance. Your already saying the engine is making noise that’s not good the engine is probably out of oil.
Check the oil first thing in the am before starting the car. Keep it at the full line always. Engine takes 3.9 quarts of oil with a new dry filter.

 

there is a thread called "what you need and what you dont" over in Gen 2 Maintenance and Troubleshooting section, good place to start imho!

"parts of the interior are... peeling off"

you might be able to find some of these at a u-pull-it junk yard for very cheap. ... although the 2004-2005 can be different than 2006-2009 for some parts. i havent been to a junkyard since covid, but hopefully in a few months when things get better. good luck

 

Yeay in a few months when things get better... Been saying that to myself since last February and it's been the opposite of getting better at every step. Feel like I lost everything this year. And maybe it's not that bad, but if I stop to think about it and add things up...

 

Many shops do not like to install owner supplied parts.
Good idea, yet may be near impossible to find a shop willing to do so.
A trusted mechanic is desired over Pep Boys, including the comment that Prius's do have specialized knowledge.
Maybe reach out to forum members in your area for recommendations.

First car, awesome.
Learning to do filter and fluid changes yourself is a valuable and money saving skill.
This site can help you learn to do so.

As for your interior peeling, could have been caused by incompatible detailing products.
You can remove the parts sand them smooth and repaint.
Either in a different color or by attempting a color match.
Internet shopping can lead you to a proper paint as Home Depo spray can paint, won't be best.

Congrats and good luck.

 

I had the "peeling button" crisis on my glovebox also. I just completed the peel 100% and now my buttons are shiny black. Looks reasonable.

 

I used black plastidip spray on a painted plastic shifter bezel (non-Prius) that had been all chipped up. It is a color shift, but looked good. You can peel it off too.