Brake fluid change question

Brake fluid flush. That does the most good especially on your highly complex master cylinder which allows regen in a hybrid. Should not be much more than $125.

 

Attached is an excerpt from the Toyota Canada 2014 Prius "Owner's Manual Supplement", which summarizes the maintenance schedule up here. The call it (sensibly) "Brake Fluid Replacement".

Noteworthy: while Toyota USA says nothing about brake fluid replacement, Toyota Canada recommends to replace it tri-yearly or 48K kms (30K miles), whichever comes first (see attachment).

I'll also attach Techstream and non-Techstream Repair Manual instructions, in case you're interested in the technical side.

I've DIY'd the non-Techstream method twice. For a dealership with all the right tools, this should not take more than an hour. I used 2 pints of Toyota DOT3 fluid, which runs around $7~8 CDN apiece up through parts dept.

 

Here's a good video

 

What's your take on using DOT 4 or 5.1 instead especially for places with a hot and humid climate since both have a higher dry and wet boiling points than DOT 3?

 

No clue. Just to avoid possible issues I’d stick with DOT3.

 

DOT 4 and 5.1 have a higher boiling point than 3. All are compatible with each other. 5.0 is silicone based, and is NOT compatible. I would use what Toyota recommends. The Prius does not put a lot of stress on the brakes.

 

Well, the Prius might be designed well enough not to put a lot of stress on the brakes but for countries with really slow and heavy traffic, you need to press on the brake pedals quite literally A LOT. I am hearing a significant number of ABS issues, Brake Pump and Booster failures etc. where I live.

 

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Brake fluid absorb moisture. It’s really worth replacing at least few times during car lifecycle regardless of how the brakes are used

 

So if I'm understanding correctly, it can't be done like a traditional car when bleeding the brakes, probably because the regen system, right?

 

There is a procedure you start off with a scan tool when bleeding is needed. It opens the right computer-controlled valves in the brake actuator so all the bubbles get out.

If all you are doing is brake fluid replacement—there are already no bubbles, and you'll be careful not to let any in, just new fluid—there is a non-scantool "replace brake fluid" procedure for that.

Just remember that "brake fluid replacement" ≠ "brake bleeding". If there are bubbles to get out, use a scan tool and the bleed procedure.

 

See the “brake fluid replacement” link in my signature (on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures).

 

I did exactly like what CarCareNuts does using suction pump. It takes about 10 minutes taking the fluid from the reservoir and 10 minutes on each wheel. The 8y old fluid is still clear and amber <1% moisture. Probably, hybrid owner only need fluid change every 20y.

 

You should ask them where the exits are.

This is 2025.
You drive a 2012 G3.

There should be no shame in that.
I still think it's a good car......but taking it to a dealership mechanic is...........'suboptimal.'
ESPECIALLY if you live in the deep South!!

Gas is cheap.
Toyota's SE US dealers are even worse that they are in the other marketing districts.
Your car is now 13 years old.

Taking it to a dealership would ONLY be a bad thing to do financially if the dealerships were competent - which I assert they are not.
They nearly always overtighten filters, over-fill the oil sump, play 'whack-a-mole' with your wallet in replacing parts, and they will not admit that there are at least two major design flaws with the G3 Prius (Turd gen.)

Really.
If you're in the US and live in the deep South, then let's just say that they're a little more interested in 4x4 trucks with 'TRD' on the fenders than they are in maintaining your G3.

Find an independent mechanic, BE YOUR independent mechanic, or get out while the getting is good.

 

Yes, Dealership in the US are more like Stealership. They do not value our cars at all if it is more than 10y old. I did 2 recalls and those made the car worse. 1st, they did not put the dashboard properly, a lot of things loose. The 2nd, they forgot to bolt all the underbody and one of the fall off as I drove out from the parking lot after hour. I came back and asked for the replacement the underbody damaged from it.

 

Dealership mechanics are rarely well trained or well compensated even though you pay $150-$200 an hour. They are paid flat rate which means they get the same pay if they cut corners and are done in half the time. Conversely if a mistake causes them to take 8 hours to change an inverter pump they still get paid a flat 3 hours. If that work results in a comeback, they change it again for free.

Not saying a dealership might not be a good place for a diagnostic especially if the one hybrid qualified master mechanic looks at it.

Those are the dealer's experienced mechanics. The kids doing your fluid changes may have less experience than your teenage son.

Still, I will use bogo oil change deals.

The best hybrid mechanics may have dealer experience but now have their own shops. Now they can buy a house and have several nice cars while charging you the same or less.

It's your choice and the good independents are busy. Use them for routine work so they will take care of you when you really need them.

 

Yes, dealership main incomes are from the financing, service and maintenance, not from their sale alone. That's why I prefer independent local mechanics, not franchaise either. They are honest and know that they have not so much option if their reputations down.