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Help me Somebody!!!

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Shelly#, Oct 13, 2017.

  1. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Please tell me if my 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid has a transmission dipstick?
     
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Welcome.
    You have what we call a Generation 2 Prius.
    Your car does not have a transmission. It has a transaxle the contains the 2 electric motors, cooled by fluid.
    I believe the transaxle fluid can be checked by removing the filler plug. Many people here change the fluid periodically to prolong vehicle life.
     
    #2 Prodigyplace, Oct 13, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2017
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  3. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Does it need to go on the lift at the shop to look at the filler plug and my reason for asking is that my maintenance required light flashes when I start her up
     
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Actually, I corrected my earlier post. You have a Generation 2 Prius. There are many here who are more familiar with that generation.

    @bwilson4web , @bisco , & @Raytheeagle are some of our more knowledgeable members. One of them should be here soon.

    If you wish to search, the main forum is at Gen 2 (2004-2009) Toyota Prius Forums | PriusChat
     
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  5. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    To answer your original question, there is no transmission/transaxle dipstick, only an oil dipstick.

    All of the dash lights will illuminate briefly when you first start the car as an internal diagnostic check. If this is what happens in your case, then there shouldn't be any need to remove the transaxle filler plug short of having an obvious fluid leak under the car.
     
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  6. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    You guys are a Blessing. Thank you for this forum.
     
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  7. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Ok but the maintenance required light stays on a little longer after everything else has gone off when starting her up and this just started last night so do I need an oil check or a filler plug check and can jiffy lube do it or do I have to go to the dealership
     
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Maintenance required is just a timer, about 4500 miles from the last time it was reset, it will start reminding you to do maintenance again, by 5000 miles after the last reset it is very insistent.

    None of that means anything is wrong, just that it is time for service.
     
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  9. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Ok but what kind of service tune up service oil change service. I am very concerned considering the fact that I just had a new hybrid battery put in about 6mos ago so now when anything lights up on this dash I get very very concerned :)
     
  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    That depends on how many miles it has been driven. The owners manual and maintenance manual are listed on this page.

    2004 Toyota Prius Owners Manual and Warranty - Toyota Owners

    I have also attached the maintenance manual to this posting. Generally engine oil & filter are replaced every 5000 miles.
     

    Attached Files:

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  11. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    She is 1,141 miles since last service in Jan 2016
     
  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    If it is only 1100 miles since the last oil & filter change, perhaps the mechanic did not reset the service indicator.
     
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  13. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Ok so what to do Do I just ignore it or do I get something checked she was in storage for almost a year because she need the hybrid battery replaced and I got that done about 5/6mos ago so do I get her tuned up or oil checkd I don't know what to do...
     
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You could reset the light yourself and then it will come back on in 4,500 miles.

    As for the transaxle dip stick, there is none. If you were to remove the fill plug, you would check level by sticking you finger in. When replacing transaxle fluid, you fill with the Prius level until it comes out of the fill hole, or 3.9 quarts.

    Hope that helps(y).
     
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  15. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    If you haven't, join the owners site. Log into Your Toyota Owners Account | Toyota Owners

    There you can see what previous owners have had done at a Toyota dealer and download the owners manual which has a maintenance schedule.

    To cancel the light:
     
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  16. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Yes heading to jiffy lube to have oil and transaxle fluid checked all of you guys was a big help I learned a lot from your responses Thanks so much Love My Prius Hybrid :)
     
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  17. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    First make sure they don't overfill the oil which is very bad. Second, the transaxle level doesn't need to be checked (it's sealed) and is considered by Toyota to last the life of the vehicle. Many here (including myself) do change the fluid but don't let jiffylube charge you just to check it. IOW, either change it (jiffy won't have the correct stuff) or forget about it. The light doesn't come on for it.
     
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    It is probably a good idea to have the oil & oil filter changed if it has been sitting a year. Many vehicle oil change intervals specify every 6 months to a year even if the mileage limit is not reached.
     
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  19. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Go to a Toyota dealer, jiffy lube may have a technician doing the work, possibly, but chances are not, and your transaxle needs to be emptied and filled, it’s simple, if you use the correct fluid, which Toyota would, and not having the oil door ripped off, and getting the correct filter and oil for the ice would be nice, being penny smart but pound foolish won’t work well.
     
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  20. Shelly#

    Shelly# New Member

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    Ok GREAT STUFF GUYS going to the dealership. You guys r so smart and cool. :)
     
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