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Newbie here!

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by jaleenasmom, Mar 16, 2014.

  1. jaleenasmom

    jaleenasmom New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2014
    15
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    Location:
    Union City, Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello! My name is Lynn. I bought a 2007 Prius program car. Got a really good deal.
    I am now having some issues with it which I will post in the appropriate place but came here to introduce myself first.
    I know absolutely nothing about these cars and I grew up under the hoods of Chevys, Fords, Cadillacs, and Dodges.
    I am so lost with this car. And I'm not sure I have the thousands it might take to fix or even diagnose this thing.
    I am not basic car illiterate until it comes to this Prius.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 jaleenasmom, Mar 16, 2014
    Sajjad Siddique and joeman like this.
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,867
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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Welcome to Priuschat! First the good News, very little routine maintenance is any different than the cars you are used to. Brake work involving bleeding the brakes may be a dealer item.

    Lots of discussions, how tos, and links to you tube show and tell for routine work.

    Toyota service schedule is very good, some here add an item: drain and fill the ATF WS in the transaxle every 60,000 miles.
    Some claim you should shift to N once a Month and brake to a stop, just to remove rust off the rotors and pads, in D regenerative braking may never clean the friction brakes.

    Ask questions, we all try to help.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Mar 16, 2014
  3. jaleenasmom

    jaleenasmom New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2014
    15
    2
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    Location:
    Union City, Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the welcome!
    Have not drained and filled the trans fluid ever. Nothing in my little thick Prius book about that I remember.
    That's up to do I suppose as I am at 96k miles.
    I can give that a go as for as shifting to N and braking. I've never done that or ever heard I might need to. I don't think I've heard that ever! HA!

    But, would those two things give me the red triangle of death, the (!) light, and check engine light all at the same time? Afterward I discovered my cruise control is not working
     
    #3 jaleenasmom, Mar 16, 2014
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Correct. Those are both additional items not in Toyota's routine service. Some drivers will use the disc brakes in their normal driving, others have such a gentle touch, they get all regen braking, so the discs never get used, and rust.

    When (if ever) to drain and refill the ATF WS is an opinion, not a fact, as Toyota never mentions it.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Mar 16, 2014
  5. jaleenasmom

    jaleenasmom New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2014
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    Location:
    Union City, Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks, JimboPalmer!
    I do use gentle braking so I will give that a go.
    I have not given thought to the trans fluid. I need to do that now especially at 100k miles. Seems as if I remember my dad doing this when his Datsun reached the 100k mark.
     
    #5 jaleenasmom, Mar 16, 2014
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,867
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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    while not perfect this lets you see it from the lift

    without a lift
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Mar 16, 2014
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! did you get it from a dealer with a warranty?
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 16, 2014
  8. joeman

    joeman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
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    Location:
    Raleigh, N.C.
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Very much recommend the trans ATF changed.
    Just bought my o6 with 144k, trans ATF was never changed.
    When I drained the old, it was ruby red and as they say in NJ, it was tick(thick).
    I know it could not have been doing its job.
     
    #8 joeman, Mar 16, 2014
    PriusGuy32 likes this.
  9. jaleenasmom

    jaleenasmom New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2014
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    Location:
    Union City, Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for posting the vids, JimboPalmer! That will be very helpful!

    Bisco, we got the 5 year warranty which is now expired.

    Thanks, joeman!
     
    #9 jaleenasmom, Mar 16, 2014
  10. joeman

    joeman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
    239
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    Location:
    Raleigh, N.C.
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No Problem...
    BTW, my car runs like a new one, knock on wood, don't say anything to the new Prius buyers :)
     
    #10 joeman, Mar 16, 2014
  11. jaleenasmom

    jaleenasmom New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2014
    15
    2
    0
    Location:
    Union City, Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello again! My car is fixed! I will be posting codes etc in my other thread! Thanks so much for all your help!
     
    #11 jaleenasmom, Mar 29, 2014
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