Warning when braking hard or going around sharp curve

how is your oil level? might have a bad speed sensor on that wheel now or something else damaged.

 

You oil is low. How many miles on your '06?

 

+1 for low oil. That's what happens when there is too little oil and the curves/terrain dependency is a textbook case.

 

Time to start checking it when you fill up.

 

After a few tanks, you should be get a good handle on how much it's using between changes. You also want to check the level after the change as many places don't get it right.

 

I can see why this happens: you're there to get the oil changed. It goes up on a lift, the oil is drained, new oil is put in. There's no motivation really, for the dealership to check this. From what owners have recounted here, when the (oil pressure) warning light goes on, it's likely below the lower mark on the dipstick.

We went to an New Toyota Owners Night, and the Service Manager was waxing eloquent, said something along the lines of: "Our goal is to ensure you never need to pop the hood".

 

fail.

 

Welcome to premature engine damage and its early death.

Start saving for an engine replacement or a replacement vehicle. You may want to price a used engine with labor, to see which way you want to go, when the time comes.

I will bet you some money, that you will not reach 200K miles.
1) You have engine damage, which may worsen over time.
2) Oil consumption, which you never knew about, b/c you never checked, may get worse over time.
3) Catalytic converter will likely have an early death, due to the likely increased oil consumption.

Here is a picture of how low engine oil will manifest itself as the idiot light when taking a turn hard, braking hard, or accelerating hard. Oil will move around in the oil pan as the car moves. If the oil level is always maintained at the FULL mark (thus the need to regularly check the engine oil level), hard: turning, braking, accelerating, will not cause the oil pump to be exposed to air. If the engine oil level is low, hard: turning, braking, accelerating, may cause the oil pump to be exposed to air. The moving engine parts will be without lubrication for a second, two, three, or longer. Only when the oil shifts back to the pump, and the pump sucks-up oil, instead of air, will the moving engine parts be bathed in oil.


Now, lets say the engine RPM was at 2,000, when the idiot lights appeared. 2,000RPM / 1min/60sec = 33.3 Revolutions Per Second. Say the engine oil pump was dry for only 2 seconds. 66.6 Revolutions of metal on metal were just made! Grind baby grind. Voila, engine damage.

For future cars, check the engine oil level regularly. If the car is new, the engine may not burn any noticeable oil, for a good period of time. But at some point down the road, the engine will burn oil. Only by checking, will you know and be able to keep the engine oil level at the FULL mark, preventing metal on metal wear.

 

that was directed at post #10. however, my helpful comment was in post #2. how is your oil level, that you said were going to check last night?

 

We're not all car experts. Fortunately in today's world, there's YouTube. Look for the yellow circular grab for the dipstick and a black cap on the upper left of the engine for the fill point.

 

And for what it's worth, the fluid in the reservoir that's "the color of honey" is brake fluid, and it should be clear. That's probably never been changed. That's a dealer or hybrid specialty shop service item, since there are some Prius-specific steps to bleed the brake system. Contaminated brake fluid can cause very costly damage. Though you might want to make sure your engine is okay before spending money on the car.

 

Kevin posted a good practical video. I'm 61 years old, and I learn a lot from YouTube! Cat tail, just wait until your engine is cooled down before checking the oil. The morning is a good time. Or after work when your car has been sitting all day. And obviously, you'll want to be parked on flat ground to get an accurate reading. You got a friend, brother, co-worker that can do it for you? Proper oil level, and the right amount of air in the tires are the two "basic biggies."

My dad always rammed into our heads... "If you don't do anything else to your car, AT LEAST check and change the oil on a regular basis!" (My sister blew up her Volkswagon motor, driving it with no oil.)

Cat tail, you might also want to keep a bottle of oil (or 2) in you car. (I do, and my car is brand new.) I think it says on your oil cap what "weight" your oil should be. I'm not sure for a 2006, 5W-30? Just get a couple bottles at Walmart and throw it in the trunk. Pennzoil, Mobil-1, Valvoline, about 6 bucks. Good luck with everything.

 

OP (Original Poster).

You don't have an interest in cars , beyond driving, having to get gas, and paying someone to perform the maintenance. That's fine and nothing wrong w/ that. Someone else will appreciate earning a living off you.

Since you live in the Bay Area you have two great independent automotive shops that specialize in Hybrids and have a superb reputation! You can go there with confidence not having to be on the defense, thinking they are going to try to screw me over.
Also, these two shops were ahead of the dealerships in terms of hybrid knowledge and maintenance realities/issues.
Go see Carolyn in San Fran (Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists)
or Art in Berkeley (Prius & Hybrids)

Maybe have them do your next maintenance and ask that they show you, how do I:

*check the engine oil
*add engine oil, and what type (regular/synthetic/blend) and grade (single weight/multi weight) of engine oil
*check the brake fluid
*add brake fluid (You should not have to do b/c as brake pads wear down, the fluid level drops. When the brake pads get replaced, the brake fluid level will return to normal. If the fluid is low, due to a leak somewhere, you need to add brake fluid and get thee to a mechanic to fix the leak ASAP! This is a SAFETY issue; 2ton car not being able to stop.)
*check the engine coolant level (radiator & overflow container) & add coolant
*check the inverter coolant level & add coolant
*check the engine air filter
*check the cabin air filter
*check and add air to the tires
​

Learn to do these confidently, and you will be ahead of the game moving forward.