Replacing coolant parts as a safe measure

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Inspector Gasket, Nov 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM.

  1. Inspector Gasket

    Inspector Gasket New Member

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    I have a 2016 that I’ve never done any maintenance to other than oil change and changing the converter and engine coolant once and replaced front break pads recently. It’s got 171k miles on it. I’d like to change coolant again and due to mileage should I have them go ahead and replace the converter water pump even though it’s currently working ok? And is there anything else I should go ahead and replace while I’m at it concerning the coolant systems? Economy being what it is I want to drive it long as I can before having to buy another. With its age I’m going to need to do a lot of upcoming maintenance, shocks, struts, rear brakes. But for now I’m concerned about the coolant systems as it can ruin the hybrid battery if the water pump goes out. I’m elderly and don’t want to get stranded. Sometimes I hear a wamp wamp noise like a bad tire which can be the water pump noise but hubby keeps telling me it’s different road pavements. Also what about caring for the generator? Also my dealership has never had anyone trained to check the viscosity of my brake fluid and they aren’t equipped to change that either. It’s terrible but I have to use independent mechanics as very few Toyota dealers are trained on the Priuses. I don’t u derstand this because there are lots of them on the road but no one seems to want to work on them. The dealer told me to leave my brake fluid alone that if it’s not leaking to not touch it. They don’t have the pressure equipment to change it. I realize this is a lot of questions in one post. But my car has been neglected. I plant to do the converter and engine fluid first. Then rear brakes, then shocks then maybe see about this brake fluid issue and then whatever else y’all suggest. My husband is elderly in bad health so we won’t be doing out own repairs. Not unless a cave man could do it.
     
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  2. Iron Man Prius

    Iron Man Prius Junior Member

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    Get your heat exchanger bypassed, change water pump, plugs, pcv valve, CVT flush and just drive it. We have the most economical and reliable version of the Prius ever..don't over think it and worry.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    when you say it has been neglected, are you the first owner and have neglected it, or was it a previous owner?
    if you purchased it used, how many years have you owned it, and how many miles?
    do you know the full maintenance history, and do you have the maintenance schedule that came with the car?
     
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Welcome and sorry to hear that.
    My sister lives in northwestern Mississippi and gas prices are so cheap - return on investment is questionable at best for paying the extra money for a hybrid - relatively speaking.
    There's a litmus and glycol test, that can be done to check the condition of your coolant. Changing them both at the same time, just makes it easier to keep track of what's been done.
    IMHO; Shocks and rear brakes needs inspection - Unless they can prove that there's a problem, they don't need to get done. That's a want, not a need.
    You should install one of these P10 HUD unit:
    upload_2025-11-8_11-38-48.jpeg
    It plugs into your OBD2 port and monitors your engine temperature. Alarm limits are programmable and will beep at you. Your onboard warning lamp is set for 248F+ before it lights up, I'm pretty sure without an alarm. Normal operating range is 185F-210F, so early warning system when your electric water pump is beginning to fail. If you don't notice that coolant lamp flashing at you, you could pop the head gasket or worse.
    The transmission ATF should probably be changed, It's probably black as tar with 171K on it. Simple drain & fill around $150-$200. That fluid should be ruby red.
    Spark plug replacement is overdue; if that's never been done. I believe that interval is around 120K miles per OEM.
    The 2016-2018 had issues with the exhaust gas heat exchanger leaking, so you should check the coolant levels in BOTH coolant tanks every once in a while - make sure it isn't getting low. Someone above mentioned by-passing it, to keep repair cost down. Doesn't need to be done unless you keep losing coolant out of the passenger side coolant tank.

    Good Luck...

    FWIW: I actually talked my sister out of buying one, because of the lack of qualified mechanics along with the cheap gas prices over there. The economics coupled with neither of them being able to 'wrench', left them vulnerable to dishonest mechanics. At least with a regular car; you can take it down the street, to a more honorable mechanic.
     
    #4 BiomedO1, Nov 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM