Hello! My name is Lynn. I bought a 2007 Prius program car. Got a really good deal. I am now having some issues with it which I will post in the appropriate place but came here to introduce myself first. I know absolutely nothing about these cars and I grew up under the hoods of Chevys, Fords, Cadillacs, and Dodges. I am so lost with this car. And I'm not sure I have the thousands it might take to fix or even diagnose this thing. I am not basic car illiterate until it comes to this Prius. Thanks!
Welcome to Priuschat! First the good News, very little routine maintenance is any different than the cars you are used to. Brake work involving bleeding the brakes may be a dealer item. Lots of discussions, how tos, and links to you tube show and tell for routine work. Toyota service schedule is very good, some here add an item: drain and fill the ATF WS in the transaxle every 60,000 miles. Some claim you should shift to N once a Month and brake to a stop, just to remove rust off the rotors and pads, in D regenerative braking may never clean the friction brakes. Ask questions, we all try to help.
Thanks for the welcome! Have not drained and filled the trans fluid ever. Nothing in my little thick Prius book about that I remember. That's up to do I suppose as I am at 96k miles. I can give that a go as for as shifting to N and braking. I've never done that or ever heard I might need to. I don't think I've heard that ever! HA! But, would those two things give me the red triangle of death, the (!) light, and check engine light all at the same time? Afterward I discovered my cruise control is not working
Correct. Those are both additional items not in Toyota's routine service. Some drivers will use the disc brakes in their normal driving, others have such a gentle touch, they get all regen braking, so the discs never get used, and rust. When (if ever) to drain and refill the ATF WS is an opinion, not a fact, as Toyota never mentions it.
Thanks, JimboPalmer! I do use gentle braking so I will give that a go. I have not given thought to the trans fluid. I need to do that now especially at 100k miles. Seems as if I remember my dad doing this when his Datsun reached the 100k mark.
Very much recommend the trans ATF changed. Just bought my o6 with 144k, trans ATF was never changed. When I drained the old, it was ruby red and as they say in NJ, it was tick(thick). I know it could not have been doing its job.
Thanks for posting the vids, JimboPalmer! That will be very helpful! Bisco, we got the 5 year warranty which is now expired. Thanks, joeman!
No Problem... BTW, my car runs like a new one, knock on wood, don't say anything to the new Prius buyers
Hello again! My car is fixed! I will be posting codes etc in my other thread! Thanks so much for all your help!
