When creeping forward brakes feel like a warped rotor

warped rotor symptom is pulsation in brake pedal

a common prius problem is rusty rotors and grabby brakes at slow speeds. the solution is putting it in neutral around 30mph and gently applying brakes

 

you don't have to stop, just apply gently for a little while. prius brakes don't get used much due to regen, so rust can build up on the cheap iron rotors, especially in moist environments.

in neutral, no regen, pads wear the rust off.

 

Have you done (or had done) a brake service, where the calipers are lifted off the rotors, caliper slide pins cleaned/lubed, ditto for pads/shims and points of contact on caliper? While doing that, if there's a suspicion of brake warpage it doesn't hurt to install a dial indicator with magnetic base, see how much "wobble" the rotor has. Check rotor thickness too, with a micrometer. Specs for that in attached.

Toyota recommends to do this sort of service every 3 years or 30K miles.

 

One thing: that whirring sound you hear when opening drivers door, is something you DON’T want to hear, when a caliper is off; it’ll pop the caliper piston right out. If you do the brakes, with a caliper lift off, to play it safe:

1. beforehand disconnect and isolate 12 volt neg cable.

2. When everything is reassembled press the brake pedal multiple times.

3. Reconnect 12 volt neg cable.

you’ll lose trip meters, radio presets and car will be a little weird for next few start ups.

 

Mendel, where do you get that documentation? I'm looking for the equivalent for my Toyota fielder (Prius c under the hood) 2013. Same brake procedure, torques etc apply I assume as it's all so similar (if not identical?). Thanks.

 

I have a pdf of 3rd gen Repair Manual, but not the c. It's a static doc, internal links don't work, but meh. I just "print" pdf excerpts, as needed.

I think it helps that Toyota put out a pdf version for 3rd gen, but has discontinued now, just online I think. It's still doable: Someone here made a rough version of 4th gen manual. The bookmarks are not that great, and everything's just sorted alphabetical. So for example "install" comes before "remove". But at least it's all there. I'd assume he took out a short term Techstream subscription. I luckily cadged a copy of that.

 

Ah right, thanks for the info. Perhaps I will need to get a techstream subscription at some point. Cheers