1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Maintenance tips requested for long-term ownership

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Raidin, Jan 12, 2014.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey guys,

    I'm planning to keep my C2 for a long time. I'm near the 100k point and will probably just drive it until it gets too costly to own.

    Do you have any recommendations for anything I should do to prolong its life? All I do right now is follow the maintenance schedule in the manual.
     
    #1 Raidin, Jan 12, 2014
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,348
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    "All" fluids and filter minimum.
     
    #2 frodoz737, Jan 12, 2014
    Debster likes this.
  3. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

    Are you implying something beyond regularly scheduled maintenance?
     
    #3 Raidin, Jan 12, 2014
  4. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,872
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I would add a periodic drain/refill of the Type WS ATF. Lab tests on the ATF in my 2004 Prius (four times now at 252k miles) have indicated that an early refresh at about 30k miles and then repeat every 60k miles thereafter is a good protocol. Your transmission is similar to the earlier Prii and should show similar wear characteristice.

    JeffD
     
    #4 jdenenberg, Jan 12, 2014
    xpcman likes this.
  5. B2FiNiTY

    B2FiNiTY Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    979
    227
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    wow, almost 100k, that's pretty amazing.
     
    #5 B2FiNiTY, Jan 12, 2014
  6. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,348
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four

    Yes.
     
    #6 frodoz737, Jan 12, 2014
  7. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    So what did you mean?
     
    #7 Raidin, Jan 13, 2014
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,348
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Brake, ATF, Oil/filter, Coolant.
     
    #8 frodoz737, Jan 13, 2014
  9. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Does the brake fluid get replaced when the brakes need replacing? Or is it just the brake pads?

    Also, is the coolant ever replaced in any normal service? Or do I have to request a flush and refill?

    Oil/filter get done normally, and I will get an ATF soon.

    What about a tune up? Or is the ICE exempt in the C?
     
    #9 Raidin, Jan 14, 2014
  10. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2013
    3,339
    1,150
    40
    Location:
    Cumming, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I believe the spark plugs are 100k mile plugs. But don't quote me on that. Has anybody found a maintenance schedule for the C outside of warranty?
     
    #10 ztanos, Jan 15, 2014
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,872
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    On older Prii, the schedule was:
    • Iridium plugs at just over 100k miles, but since this can be a while and the plugs can get hard to loosen, an inspection at 50k miles is a good idea.
    • Coolant (2 separate loops) need a drain/refill (no flush!) at 100k miles with Toyota type SSL coolant (pink, premixed). Then repeat every 50k miles. Removing air from these systems can be a pain.
    • Replace the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve at 100k or earlier even though this was not on Toyota's list.
    • Prius brakes can last a long time! My 2004 at 253k miles is still on its original pads/rotors.shoes/drums. The rotors get rusted from lack of use so periodically go into neutral at about 30 mph (shuts down regeneration) and lightly apply the brakes to clean the surfaces.
    JeffD
     
    #11 jdenenberg, Jan 15, 2014
    ztanos likes this.
  12. SwhitePC

    SwhitePC Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2013
    495
    214
    0
    Location:
    ca
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    It'd be nice if someone (with free time) compiles everything and makes a nice mile(s) by mile(s) list of what to maintain...

    I'll give you a lot of e-cookies
     
    #12 SwhitePC, Jan 15, 2014
    minkus and ztanos like this.
  13. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I checked the maintenance schedule and I see that the coolant is scheduled at the 100k interval, and the spark plugs are at the 120k interval.

    So far, the only things outside of what is recommended by the manufacturer is the ATF, the brake fluid, and the PCV valve.

    Anything else?
     
    #13 Raidin, Jan 15, 2014
  14. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,872
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    You missed the PCV Valve suggestion and that the coolant repeats at 50k mile intervals thereafter.

    JeffD
     
    #14 jdenenberg, Jan 15, 2014
  15. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    651
    210
    0
    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    The car should hit 500k no problem if you do things like everyone suggests.

    I can see it go to million even!

    Post pack when you hit 200k. Won't be to long.
     
    #15 priusCpilot, Jan 16, 2014
  16. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I need my car for work so it needs to be in good running order all the time. I plan to follow the schedule strictly.

    I run somewhere between 80k to 100k per year so I will keep you guys posted on any issues I come across.

    Thank you to everyone who posted recommendations to keep my car running well!
     
    #16 Raidin, Jan 16, 2014
    ztanos likes this.
  17. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I talked to the service rep at my dealer to get prices. When I asked about the PCV valve, he told me he's never seen or heard of it being replaced on any Prius, regardless of mileage.

    Why is it recommended to replace the PCV valve?
     
    #17 Raidin, Jan 16, 2014
  18. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,872
    1,871
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    If a PCV valve gets gummed up, you will burn some oil. It is a genarally good protocol in most cars to replaced the PCV at regular intervals. Note that Toyota treats end of life of their cars as 150k miles. I keep my cars much longer than that so proper maintenance (my son's 1997 Outback is now at 280k miles, my wife's 2001 Jetta is now at 100k miles, and my 2004 Prius is now at 253k miles) is called for.

    JeffD
     
    #18 jdenenberg, Jan 16, 2014
  19. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,348
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Raidin...please be careful with service reps...especially with the Prius. Many times they won't recommend common sense maintenance because it is not on their list or profitable, then turn around and recommend services not needed...pushed to turn high profits for the department and commissions for themselves.
     
    #19 frodoz737, Jan 16, 2014
  20. Raidin

    Raidin Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    238
    182
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    This will be my first car going beyond 110k miles. I plan to keep up with regular maintenance.

    I understand that service departments at dealers don't always say things honestly or straightforwardly, but I just wanted to know what they think, and take their advice with a grain of salt.

    I asked about prices, and got the following:

    Brake job, per axle - $189.99
    Brake fluid replacement - $89.99
    Spark plugs - $114.99
    Coolant flush - $129.99
    ATF - $189.99

    The brakes I can do elsewhere since they're basically 4 times more than most places. The rest is stuff I wouldn't feel comfortable doing anywhere else except hybrid specialists, which I don't think we have here.
     
    #20 Raidin, Jan 16, 2014
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2