Coolant and Oil Dipstick Concerns

the coolant is supposed to be between the lines. i think you're good, but keep an eye on it.

the rule of thumb on the dipstick is, usually, you can see where the oil covers the whole stick, and where it begins to streak. it's not easy to see, i know that much.

 

Very true. The actual level is easier to discern on the side of the dipstick facing toward the rear; the front side comes out hopelessly smeared.
A tedious way to obtain a much less ambiguous indication is to
1)remove the dipstick,
2)wipe it clean,
3)wait a bit for oil in the tube to run down,
4)put the dipstick back only partially, a measured distance short of fully back,
5)pull it out again,
6)look for oil, and correct for the measured distance.
For example, assuming the true level is slightly below the upper dot, and you "short-stick" it by a distance equal to the distance between the upper and lower dots, then the UNSMEARED (I promise!) oil at the bottom end of the dipstick will extend up to slightly below the lower dot. If the actual level is lower than in my example, you'd obviously have to use a different distance, in order to assure the dipstick does dip into the oil some short distance.
7)Put it back all the way down as usual before closing the hood.

 

I've seen some misinformation on checking coolant levels sprinkled about in other threads, so direct from the 2010 Prius manual:
"The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the "FULL" and "LOW" lines on the reservoir when the hybrid system is cold. If the level is on or below the "LOW" line, add coolant up to the "FULL" line."

So best time to check the level is first thing in the morning when completely cold. I also find that's the best time to check the oil level - just pull out carefully and check without wiping and reinserting. It helps to have a bright light and check both sides of the dipstick as noted above, you'll see the stick completely coated up to the top level where it breaks up and is only at the edges. It is challenging, especially with this thin 0W20 oil that stays looking like new between oil changes - something I'm definitely not used to in my German car with a turbo that runs hot and turns the oil nice and dark shortly after changing!

 

If you're still worried buy a bottle of Toyota "super long life coolant". The dealer parts person should know which one if you tell them it's for a Prius. Add coolant to whatever level you are comfortable with. The same coolant is used in the inverter circuit and the engine circuit.

DO ensure there is enough oil in the engine! There have been several people lately who have run their engines low on oil! Some Prius seem to consume oil. I have, in the past, used an "emery cloth" or sandpaper to scuff up the dipstick. It made it easier to see the oil. Haven't had to do it with the Prius yet. If you do this, make sure you clean the dipstick very well after. Don't want that abrasive in your oil!

 

1/8 inch over the top mark is OK.

I wouldn't recommend hosing the engine and orange high voltage hybrid electrical wiring down with water. Leave it be.

 

1/8" over top mark on oil dipstick is trivial, wouldn't worry. The Prius dipstick is very hard to read; someone said it's due to the S-curve the tube goes through on the way down. I find invariably I can see the level a bit better on the underside, and again: there's a subtle transition, where it goes from smear along the edges, to a definite full-width coating. A trick to verify what you're looking for: push it in just to the plastic handle, not all the way. Then you can see that full-width point shift accordingly. Of course, revert to pushing it fully down for level check.

For the coolant, I found I needed to top up both reservoirs about 4 years and a bit after purchase. Just bite the bullet and buy the dang gallon of the proper pre-mix, top them up.

 

The dipstick has 2 sides. I find that one side is easier to read than the other. Try flipping it over for what's worth and see if it makes a difference.

 

It takes very little coolant to go from L to F on the inverter reservoir. Your local Toyota will likely top up for no charge. When I noticed both coolant tanks low, I had my better (looking) half stop by Toyota service with an empty water bottle and they filled it with SLLC as a courtesy (she offered to pay). I wanted to fill them cold and didn't want a to store a gallon of coolant for 5 years until needing to top up again with just a few ounces.