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battery filter, engine filter and TPMS light

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Janny, Feb 5, 2024.

  1. Janny

    Janny Junior Member

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    Hi all-
    Just bought a used 2011 Prius and have been doing a lot of reading and hoping knowledgable folks can help me out:

    1. I looked through the vent next to rear passenger seat and it doesn't seem like I see a filter. I vacuum through the filter anyways (hope that was okay). Toyota said there is a battery vent inside but I don't see it.
    Should I just buy the clip on (G92DH-47060 OEM) or the Getfarway HV battery cooling air intake filter screen from Amazon and not worry about whether an existing battery filter exists?

    2. I viewed the YouTube on 2011 Prius and it said that the engine filter part is 1780137021. I plan to buy the OEM for this. Is this the best?

    3. TPMS light is on whenever I turn on my engine. There are 4 worn out Bridgestone Ecopia 422 tires . I will replace with brand new ones from Costco. I called one independent car place and was told that it would cost $120 (including parts and labor ) for ONE TPMS placement and could be up to $480 with 4 TPMS placement.
    I called the Hybrid Pit and was told that it could just be that the air is low and to go to Autozone to have air put in. The previous owner (friend) already has air in it so do you think it is the $120 per TPMS parts and labor problem?

    TIA
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would dig down to the actual fan, clean all the ductwork on the way. You approach this from both the hatch opening and the rear/right cabin door.

    In the hatch area you need to pry the closest-to-front-of-car floor panel, attached by some stubborn clips. Just pry hard, and eventually they'll pop. Leaving most of them off will make it easier next time.

    At the right/rear door, you want to push apart the seat bottom and back, just below the air inlet grill, and with some light you'll see a single bolt there that's holding the bottom of the end of the seat back (with the grill). IIRC it's 12 mm socket required for this. You want at least a 6" extension to reach this. Back it out carefully, taking care not to drop it, which will be problematic, may have to pop off the seat bottom. With that bolt removed, the seat back end portion can be lifted up and off.

    Working from there, and from the hatch, just follow your nose, it's not that hard to figure out what has to come off, and the order. I wouldn't bother completely extracting the fan; just get it reachable and clean; Q-Tips are just right for cleaning the blades of the squirrel cage. Clean out all the duct work as well; dust blower works well.

    I like to wrap up by blasting the whole area with a leaf blower. :)

    I'd stick with that.

    Check your tire pressures first, cold; ensure they're per the driver's door spec'd pressures. If the light persists try bumping all pressures 3~4 pounds. If that doesn't work, set them back to spec, and try the reset procedure (in Owner's Manual, if manual missing, pdf can be downloaded from Toyota Tech Info, for free). If that doesn't work, I'd do nothing further, at least till you next need to replace tires. The TPMS sensors are NOT essential. Just be sure to have a good pressure gauge, and check pressures regularly.
     
    bisco likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats and welcome!

    watch

    watch

    how many miles on her? you probably want to tackle this soon:

    watch
     
    #3 bisco, Feb 5, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2024
  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    A 2011 Prius did not have any filter on the HV battery cooling fan inlet vent. Toyota, add it at some point on later model years.
     
    #4 Brian1954, Feb 5, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 5, 2024
  5. Janny

    Janny Junior Member

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    2011 Prius, 55k. I am the 3rd owner.
    I bought the OEM for the battery filter today.
    I am also going to replace the engine air filter. Will buy from Toyota.
    That tis all I know how to do as well as put air in tires.
    Also, thinking of buying a trickle charger when I need to be away for several weeks.
     
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  6. Janny

    Janny Junior Member

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    all I feel comfortable about is air in tire. Bought the sport gauge slime on amazon. I am afraid to unscrew anything under the hood. I will change the engine filter myself....only have to remove clips, take out old and put in new..
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    TPMS
    If it flashes and then goes solid after start up, the tire sensor(s) are bad. They drain their battery in 7-10 years so yours are likely overdue.

    Costco here charges $60 per sensor installed, car ecu updated and tested. They can quickly test each tire and replace only the bad one or two, but all four is better since the rest could fail quickly.

    If the light just comes on solid (no blinking at first) you air up the tires properly and then hold the TPMS set pressure switch until the light blinks three times.

    All of this is in the owners manual.
    IMG_4168.jpeg

    In California you may fail an inspection with a tpms code. Let Costco handle it. Their guarantee and all in one service is worth it when also buying tires.

    2023 California code

     
    #7 rjparker, Feb 6, 2024
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2024
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  8. tweedle99

    tweedle99 Member

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    If you plan to already get new tires from costco, talk to the guy at the counter to get TPMS replaced at the same time. I had mine done w/ my last tire purchased and they didn't charge labor, just cost of the TPMS, which was like $40/each
     
    bisco likes this.