One year, ~50,000 miles, the update and overview!

I would highly recommend that you change your transaxle fluid every 50,000 miles, in addition to regular maintenance.

 

Toyota says nothing about changing the fluid. I'd get it changed asap though.

I did a first change on our 2010 at the one year mark, with only around 15000 km's on the car, and it was markedly darker. Then at the 3 year mark I changed it again, around 40000 km, and it was surprisingly new looking. Bottom line: an early change is good, then you can stretch it, say 20000 miles, then maybe every 50000 miles.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit nuts with my intervals, but I'm doing it myself, takes a couple of hours with my rudimentary setup, and cost me about $40 for fluid and a couple of washers.

Be on the safe side, only use Toyota ATF-WS.

 

+1 on the transaxle replacement.
I'm normally not big on OEM fluids, but I would go with the Toyota fluid on this one since there are electrical windings in the TA with insulation that might not like alternative fluids.
Those windings are probably why most Prius owners go ahead and change out the fluid regularly. With your driving I'd go with about every 50-60K.
YMMV.

Oil.
Check it at least every other gas fill up or three.
Be honest with yourself.
If you don't pop the hood at least every 1,000 miles then consider a 5,000 mile oil change interval.
(I use a 5k OCI anyway.....)

While you have to hood propped open, check the other fluids, and buy some air filters off of Amazon or eBay. I like to change them more frequently than the schedule of maintenance because it can get dusty here during the summer time.
Make SURE yours are changed.

Good Luck!

 

Our filter situation is weird. At 56000 km's, the engine filter looks brand new. I'm very myopic; which has one benefit: macro vision. I've looked at ours in strong sunlight, virtually nothing happening. And yeah, I looked at both sides, just to make sure, lol.

The cabin filter's got a little accumulation, and so far I've just blown it out with compressed air, I'm not going to stress about it.

It must be being west coast and further north, not much particulate in the air.

 

Oh, are you in for a treat:

I cannot watch this and stay awake tho.

 

Many in the Prius 3rd Gen forum recommend first transaxle fluid change at 30,000, then again at 90,000. This's the routine I followed and will do so with the v.

 

Hello all, I bought my Prius v about a month ago, 2012 with 39,000mi on the odometer. It's currently at 40,500. I'm pretty sure the previous owner never changed the transaxle fluid. Should I go ahead and change it now at 40K? I have an appointment at the dealer this Monday to get the software update recall done. Anyone know how about how much the fluid change will cost?

 

When I bought Toyota ATF-WS in Oct 2013 it was $9.32 (CAN) per liter (4 req'd, youll use about 3.5) and got washers for the (identical) drain and fill bolts, for $1.99 apiece.

A funnel with about 3' of tubing (no thicker than 5/8" O.D.) attached is the simplest way to get the new fluid in. Just add 'till it starts coming back out, with the car raised and level.

The drain and fill bolts have 10mm hex recessed socket heads. A decent braker bar is worth having, and some extensions, say a 3" and 6". You should also have a decent torque wrench: both bolts are 29 lb/ft.

Remove fill bolt first, for insurance.

 

Rolan the dealer sets the rates, it could be anything.
My dealer (Kirk Toyota in Grenada MS) has done one drain and fill for $100 and another for $110 (there is about $40 in parts alone)
I would do the service near 30,000 miles (now) near 90,000 miles, and then about every 90,000 miles (the fluid looks less dark as the transaxle gets worn in)

I tend to think of it as a one speed transmission whose clutch is always engaged.
P has a pawl which prevents rotation
R just rotates the electric motors the other direction, the engine still rotates 'forward'
N just does not provide any electrical power to either motor, so they cannot resist movement of the wheels or engine.
B adds engine braking when decelerating, useful for long downhills where the brakes need help.
D rotates the motors and engine forward

No mechanical shifting takes place, so it is a one speed transmission, and the differential is included in the case so it is a transaxle.
Software spins the two motors and the engine as needed to emulate a CVT transmission, but nothing 'shifts'

 

Up in Canada some members, Tideland Prius for one, got transaxle fluid change done for $79.95 (Canadian, about $10 US, haha). That seems a really good deal: the fluid is more expensive, and just because it's not the usual service.

 

What empirical evidence is there that suggests 30k is the transaxle fluid replacement interval to use rather than 40k or 50k or ...?

I know lots of internet posters use that figure but why?

 

Mendel, Thanks for the page from the manual. Is there a FREE download of repair manual someplace? I have 2011 PRIUS

 

no. you can get 2 days on line for $15.