maintanance before long, remote road trip on Alcan highway

1. Check/replace the engine and cabin air filters.
2. Evaluate the condition of the tires and windshield wiper blades and replace if needed. If the tires have less than 6/32" tread, replace now as a preventive move.
3. Replace the PCV valve and serpentine drive belt.
4. Evaluate the engine coolant pump and replace if the pump bearing is leaking.
5. When was the inverter coolant pump last replaced? If more than 80K miles ago, replace it again now.
6. Replace the engine coolant, inverter coolant, and transaxle ATF.
7. Replace the engine oil/oil filter.
8. Evaluate the suspension, brake system and exhaust system and repair as needed.
9. Buy a box of the correct-sized fuses from your local Toyota dealer and keep it in the glove compartment. 5A, 10A, 20A ratings. The fuses are a mini size which may not be available at a discount auto parts store.

Do all of this work at least one month ahead of your departure so that you have a chance to drive the car around and make sure no problems were introduced by the repairs.

If the potential independent servicer is not a hybrid specialist, I would not use its services. Problems could be introduced into the braking system, the engine and inverter cooling systems,

 

A cheap torque wrench and a 21 hex socket for the tire lug nut. This will be for the spare.

A tire plug kit.

If the HV battery is the original, be prepared for it to possibly go bad on your trip.

 

what happen to the guy you bought it from? a 12 year old car with 177,000 is not the best choice for a wilderness trip. all the best!

 

Also check the 12V battery and maybe even have small jumper pack with you to be sure.

 

Hey, I would take the trip with my 2004 Prius and it has 285k miles (barely broken in).

Jeffd

 

If me I would check the oil every morning before start up. This will show you the true level. Your car at this age & miles is undoubtedly eating oil and will consume alot of oil running 10 hours a day. You'll never know the oil is low till the oil pressure light comes on and then its too late. Motor is toast.
Keep the oil at the full line everyday. Run Mobil 1 5-30. You can buy 5 quart jug at Walmart for $24 and the OEM oil filter at the dealer for $4 each. Buy 4 filters.

I would buy a AAA membership. Its only $66. Lots of cool trip tics and roadside assistance.

Since your in Bozeman you probably are already aware that big hills are not the cars strong point. Take it easy going up big hills with loaded car. Make sure Hybrid Battery is full. If the hybrid battery becomes flagged going up big hill pull over and give the car a rest and let it charge up. Always be aware of burning smell. Going down use B mode. Don't burn the battery up its probably the oem hybrid battery and super long hard roadtrip will reveal its age if not driven properly. Along those lines bring the car's title.

Try to pick up a Scan Gauge X Gauge. It will read all the engine parameters and read all Hybrid Codes. Good Luck and pictures please.

 

Excellent. Good Luck. Watch out for Tony Beets!