Generic maintenance question(s)

[font=Comic Sans MS:98bafb11b8]I second Tony's Welcome! I seem to recall a discussion on here about replacing the "transmission" fluid with the engine coolant, at the 100K miles/10 years timeframe.[/font:98bafb11b8]

 

So, what color and package? Inquiring minds want to know.

[font=Comic Sans MS:0306115147]I imagine if you poke around PriusChat you can find just such a spreadsheet, perhaps as a worksheet to a gas/milage spreadsheet. The thing about Prius maintenance is that it's so easy and minimal.[/font:0306115147]

 

Has anyone really adjusted there valves at 30,000 miles? I read my owners manual and don't remember being that soon or often.

 

IIRC, my old Chevy Luv (aka Izuzu) light truck from back in the 80's required routine valve adjustment, but it also required replacing plugs, points, condenser, etc and adjusting ignition dwell and timing as part of the routine as well. Of course, that was back in the days when cars could actually be worked on by normal people without a garage full of computer gear.
--
Vince

 

[snitch mode]
Hey Rick57, Vince Jones just said you aren’t a normal person!!!!
[/snitch mode]

You are in trouble now Vince Jones of somewhere in New Jersey north of NYC! I think all Certified Prius Technicians know each other. It is a small exclusive club. A gang if you will. :lol: :wink:

- - - - - -

And way back in the day . . . a responsible owner would reshoe their transportation horse every eight months or sooner, depending on milage.

The Prius is a different beast!

I’m not doing any “scheduled†maintenance which is not in the Prius Scheduled Maintenance booklet which came with the car. Most American drivers don’t even treat their car that nice!

 

And I have the Toyota Service shop stamp and sign my "maintenance passport" to insure that there are no warranty issues and I can prove that I had the required service done (and no more). This gives me a record for warranty work that may crop up in the future.

The other thing I do is have them check my VIN number in their computer to see if anything pops up that needs attention or their are any upgrades.

 

2001 Prius, 78 k miles, no valve work yet needed. As I understand it, unless we get a diagnostic trouble code that points in that direction, we won't. Don't know anybody yet who has done this, on either Prius model.

The valve adjustment is done by changing caps (or little buckets) they come in many different thicknesses. The specified clearances between intake and exhaust valve cams, and those buckets can be seen under the hood.

Sometimes (especially after an engine oil change) a little valve clatter can be heard for a few seconds until the oil gets pumped up topside.

Concerning the automatic transmission (PSD or THS, depending on your model) fluid, periodic maintenance is "checking". I suppose that means a level check, not examing the fluid as such. I must admit that after hearing of a couple of Prius power split devices going bad, I had the urge to get mine drained and refilled. But that urge is fading... The transmission fluid is Toyota type IV.

Some drivers periodically do a drain and fill of the (DOT3) brake fluid, also not seen in the Toyota Prius maintenance guides. I will do this if the fluid visible in the reservoir tank ever changes from its 'youthful straw color'. Everybody takes a peek at that reservoir tank when the hood is open, right?

Both of your coolant loops use the same coolant/water mix. Classic Prius (like mine) is supposed to be pink 'super long life', while the newer model has red 'super dooper ultra long life'. Both my coolants were changed at 60 k, and they both looked red (not pink) before and after the change.

I keep detailed records of maintenance done by me and Toyota, like others posting here. My maint costs have been very low so far. Hope to make Tochatihu roll 300k miles.

 

I'd be inclined to say you're the one in trouble with Rick57, Mr. Prius Envy. Demoting a Certified Prius Tech who dabbles in NHRA Drag Racing to a mere backyard mechanic is probably the worst he's been insulted in years... And then you add injury to insult by inferring he's one of a gang of thieves... :roll:

Vince

P.S. In case anyone cares, somewhere = Tenafly, but I could probably count on the thumbs of one hand the percentage of Californians who would have a clue of where in NJ that is without the help of a map.

 

Being in a gang does does not mean a thief. A street gang might refer to hoodlums, but not necessarily.

As for valve clearance, it is stated to check it, but it cannot be easily changed. Changing the clearance nearly amounts to a valve job. I personally would rather not crack open the valve cover without good cause. It is not likely the clearance would tighten, and you'd here it if it loosens.

Transmission fluid. The 'transmission' does not have hydraulic controls like other automatics, nor is the fluid's viscosity used to transfer torque as a traditional torque converter does. All the fluid does is lubricate and cool. It doesn't shift by changing gears, so there's little chance of grinding going on.
It is also a long life fluid that Toyota now uses in its cars.
So, though not specified, changing the fluid at 60K is more than sufficient. You could also wait until the coolant or sparkplug change interval. It is really easy to change, no different than changing a manual transmission oil.

 

I decided to replace my transmission fluid a little early. I have a 05 and from the owners manual on page 315, the hybrid transaxel requires 3.6 liters of "Toyota Genuine ATF WS". I purchased a 4 liter can, P/N 08886-02305 from Toyota. Utilizing the allen wrench drain plug on the bottom, drivers side as well as the fill plug on the front drivers side wheel well, I replaced the fluid. There is a magnetic "filter" on the bottom drain plug that catches iron in the fluid and it was quite full of particles. I have traveled only 8000 highway miles (have had no stall problems or any problems for that matter) with my car.

Usually, with the type of setup where there are two plugs, one for draining and one for filling common in many differential gear reservoirs, you drain with the bottom one and fill with the upper one until the oil overflows. The owners manual states that there should only be 3.6 liters but I was able to put the entire 4 liters in with out the fluid overflowing. I also ensured that the car was level. I was able to measure what I took out and it was the 3.6 liters advertized.

So here is my question. Should I drain 0.4 liters of fluid out?

Thank You!
Encouraged Prius owner.

 

[/quote
And way back in the day . . . a responsible owner would reshoe their transportation horse every eight months or sooner, depending on milage.[/quote

I'm not sure about way back in the day- but current non-transportation horse requires reshoeing every 4 to 6 WEEKS - much more expensive than the Prius.

The horse also isn't very fond of the Prius as it is so quiet that I can sneak down the driveway without him hearing me and I keep surprising him!

 

The magnet being full is not what I wanted to hear! For no compelling reason, I previously stuck magnets to the bottoms of both "sumps".

As I understod the refilling procedure it is to add Type IV ATF until it is full to overflowing. If this is so, draining to below that level would not be appropriate.

I would like to hear from Prius Techs concerning the accumulation of ferrous particles.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius6725\";p=\"116573)</div>

I sure didn't want to hear THAT!

Sounds like I had better pick up 4 litres of Toyota Type IV at my local dealer and next time out at the hobby farm, had better change it. I have an assortment of pumps that will fit 1 litre bottles, so it should be easy to do.

My question: do you have to remove the driver front tire to see the fill plug? I went down to the condo underground parking to see if I could find the drain plug, and there is a hex/allen key like you described. I took a photo so you can confirm.

I couldn't find the fill plug though. At the hobby farm I can jack it up and have easier access to underneath.

On my 1992 Honda Prelude SR, I had to remove the front passenger wheel to be able to refill the manual transmission.

 

Hey Jay,I had to look up that info because I can't remember changing a 2G model yet. The fill plug should be directly up from there, 15/16 wrench will work. And for those wondering how to fill, I found a 90 degree piece of tubing that will fit snugly in the hole. Attach a length of heater hose that will fit tightly on the tube, fishing it up into the engine compartment. Put a funnel on it and there you go! I believe the 1G takes 3.9 to fill and the 2G takes 4 quarts. It should be filled till it starts to come out of the fill hole.

And for the the rest of you,who are you calling normal? You have to be not-normal to work on todays vehicles. Maybe I'm a backyard techno mechanic! And me and my gang of Master Prius Techs are going to come and drain your HV bateries, hahahahahaha, :lol: .