Preventative Maintenance

Hi Hal,

Two labor hours sounds good. Yes, the Super Long Life Coolant should definitely be replaced and your car will probably need eight liters (more is needed for North American 2G Prius due to the presence of the coolant heat recovery system.) In the US SLLC costs ~ US$20 per US gallon (or 3.8 liters). It probably costs more in the UK, maybe GBP20 for four liters.

 

They need to bleed the coolant system.

Tom

 

Hi Hal,

If you don't have time to go back to the shop, you can DIY. I would suggest putting the Prius into Inspection Mode so that the engine will continuously run, then setting the cabin temp control to MAX HEAT and turning on the cabin fan full blast. Rev up the engine to encourage coolant flow, you may have to do this for more than 5 minutes.

After the bubbling noise goes away and the car cools down, check the fluid level in the overflow reservoir as well as in the radiator by opening the radiator cap. You may need to add some coolant, if so only use pink Toyota SLLC.

In case you do not know about Inspection Mode, here's how to enter that:

Make the car IG-ON (where all instrument panel warning lights are on)
Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice while the shift indicator is in P
Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice while the shift indicator is in N
Fully depress the accelerator pedal twice while the shift indicator is in P
You should now note the hybrid vehicle warning icon flashing in the MFD
Start the car by pressing the POWER button while depressing the brake pedal, as usual.

You can only rev up the engine to 2,500 rpm while in this mode. At idle the speed will be around 1,000 rpm and if you depress the pedal less than 60% then the speed will be 1,500 rpm.

When you are done and make the car IG-OFF, then Inspection Mode will automatically cancel. Do not drive the car when in this mode unless you want to run the risk of blowing the transaxle (this mode disables traction control which protects the transaxle from an overrev situation in the event of wheelspin.)

 

Hi Hal,

Glad to hear that the problem was successfully resolved and that the old engine water pump was beginning to leak slightly, that justifies its replacement.

If you've previously changed the iridium spark plugs, all fluids and filters, and the PCV valve then you should be good to go.

 

I think an early initial service is more important than frequent servicing. I did my Prius when it had around 12,000 km on it, the fluid was very dark red.

Subsequent drain/refill by me, the fluid looked new.

 

Probably black by then.

 

If I remember correctly, I have added generic autostore 50/50 coolant as a top-off in the past. How bad a move was it to mix that with the original SLLC ?

Should a flush and refill be done?

 

The Toyota SLLC is an organic acid mixture, almost silicate free. Regular auto parts store "green stuff" has a lot of silicates in it. Not a good idea to mix the two

 

Yes, by a dealer or someone who has the correct Toyota coolant.