Fluids

Mine are more pinkish. As I understand it there are two coolant systems...one for the engine, the other for the hybrid inverter system. Mine are just at the lower level marker so I got to investigate about filling them. Toyota says to use their specific coolant. I need to find out what most do so any suggestions would be appreciated. I was wondering if I could just add a little water to bring their levels up a little? Another reservoir will be for brake fluid. That is a brownish color.

 

If I remember Toyota coolant is premixed. I would not add just water unless it is an emergency.

 

You might want to check and make sure you have the right coolant. From what I see Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is recommended for Prius. It is pink. If yours is truly red you may have the wrong coolant.

 

Someone posted a TSB that said either the old red that you mix with water or the pink premixed are both fine to use.

 

This is the only one I can find that is labeled "Super Long Life" as recommended by Toyota. It is premixed. I have not found any undiluted that is labeled "Super Long Life."

This one is undiluted but is labeled "Long Life." So is this the same as "Super Long Life?"

 

No they are different .

Long life is the “red coolant” and is not the same.

Always good to ask prior to use.

 

Found this:
"Toyota Long Life (red fluid) and Super Long Life (pink fluid) are completely different. Super Long Life (pink) contains sebacic acid -- a standard extended-drain-interval organic-acid technology for Asian car makes. Long Life (red) contains benzoate instead -- a more traditional standard-drain-interval corrosion inhibitor found in traditional antifreeze. It also contains phosphates -- preferred by Asian car makers for their instant corrosion-inhibition benefits. It doesn't contain 2-EHA, avoided by Asian car makers because of potential harm on gaskets and seals.

Pink (Super Long Life) fluid is safe for newer Toyotas/Hondas but unsafe for older Toyotas/Hondas that have copper/brass/lead metals (such as OEM heater cores or certain aftermarket radiators) and it shouldn't be used in such older Toyotas/Hondas."
Toyota red long life & pink super long life same? - Bob Is The Oil Guy

So it would seem if your coolant is red it may be wrong

 

incorrect, not sure what thread or who stated that.

so, you get a maintenance schedule with your car that has all the fluid change intervals.

you have engine coolant, inverter coolant, brake fluid

 

That's the brake fluid reservoir, and I would leave that alone. Unless you're leaking fluid (which rarely if ever would happen), you do not want to "top that up". It's level will drop as brake pads wear, and come back up when the brake caliper pistons are pushed back in to accomodate new (thicker) pads. A perdiodic brake fluid replacement IS a good idea, but that's a different topic.

Did you get two books? In the US there's an "Owner's Manual" and the "Warranty and Maintenance Guide". The latter has the maintenance schedule, in event-by-event format, which is a bit of a pain. If you're missing that booklet, you can download at Toyota Tech Info, in the "Manuals" section.

I've done a summary of the 3rd gen Prius US schedule, which I believe is identical:

 

Cobbled something:

 

you missed the blinker fluid reservoir

 

i'm sorry to hear that. most dealers are pretty bad, but every 6 months for 50,000 miles is one of the most egregious recommendations i've ever heard of.
you're smart not to go back unless absolutely necessary.

 

Oh man....that one is kind of hidden. I almost didn't notice but mine was getting critically low. I hate to think what would of happened if air got in the line. I tend to signal early so I guess I burn through fluid faster

 

How about the harness smoke reservoir? Hybrid/electric cars must have a massive reserve.

 

Not wanting to rile up any arguments, I found the TSB regarding coolant interchangeability. I guess one is longer life than the other, but they are compatible.