Intro and routine maintenance BoNaNzA! (pic heavy)

Hi everyone,


I wanted to thank you all for this excellent online community. I am a heavy user of "forums" when it comes to auto and motorcycle maintenance, so I appreciate buying a car with a large community support system.


I'm switching careers and decided to go to law school part time in the evenings. This will increase my daily commute to 1.5-2hrs (mostly highway). Spending this much time on the road necessitates a tool for the purpose! What I love about tools is that while some are very generic, such as a hammer, some are very specific in use. A brake piston compressor, for example. The Prius is a very specific tool, and I love it for that. It is extremely good at one thing....conserving fuel. Sure, with the back seats down it can hold a bunch, but not as much as my 4Runner. Sure, it's somewhat comfortable and quiet, but not as much as my wife's Lexus. Can it hold a 2x4x8? Maybe, but not as easily as my full-size bed 93 F150. But fuel efficiency? Heck, my motorcycles can't come close. My previous daily driver is a 2000 4Runner and my wife drives a 2006 Lexus IS250, so you can see why we went with a Toyota.


Okay, on to the pics! I found a 2006 1-owner Prius outside of D.C. with 145k miles. It is the trim package 8 which I believe had the most available options.














As you can see, after my detailing it is clean and solid. I'm disappointed that the PO didn't choose a body shop worth salt though, as the paint and panels in a few areas are pretty poorly repaired from some previous damage.


Because of my soon-to-be lack of free time, I decided to spearhead any maintenance that may arise. After searching this forum for a week or so I compiled a list and the parts and did a pretty exhaustive amount of preventive and necessary maintenance on it. Although some parts weren't showing signs of failure, I don't want any common issues to poke their heads within the next several years so I took the initiative. It took me the better part of a day with a few breaks (i'm experienced mechanically). Here's a quick list before the pictures:


- oil change with fumoto valve
- transmission fluid change
- both coolant systems fluid change
- ICE water pump and gasket
- inverter coolant pump
- coolant valve
- spark plugs
- pcv valve
- serpentine belt
- air filter
- cabin air filter
- tail light assembly
- restore headlight clarity
- wheel trim ring replacemen and locking lug nut removal




First was a simple oil change, but then I installed the first "mod" I do to each car I buy; a Fumoto oil drain valve:





Next was to replace the transmission fluid with toyota atf ws. I used a transfer hand-pump to fill and it's super easy. I just use the cheap ones and replace them when I don't feel like cleaning it: Multi-Use Transfer Pump


I then replaced the spark plugs with oem NGK's:





and while I was in there replaced the pcv valve as well with a toyota part:





Next I drained both coolant systems:





and replaced the ICE's water pump and gasket with a toyota part, also replacing the serpentine belt while having the old one removed. I considered replacing the idler pulley while I had it off, but if it starts to bind up in the future it will only be 10min to replace, so I decided against it:





Next came time to replace the inverter pump and valve. There was an intermittent P1116 & P1121, so I decided to replace both the valve and pump with toyota parts. I used the well-documented "headlight removal method" for this and it went smoothly and easily with no need for bottom access or for cable-type hose-clamp pliers.


First the pump:





and then the valve right next door:





Then all buttoned up:





I used an Airlift vacuum tool to refill the coolant systems and then bled the system accordingly using Toyota Super High Mileage 50/50.

Next was to replace the taillight assembly that was in poor shape with a perfect condition used one off ebay:





I also replaced the air filter, cabin air filter, and wheel trim rings (pack of 4 off amazon), discarded the locking lug-nuts, replaced the windshield wipers, and restored both the drivers side headlight while it was off and my wife's headlights:





A little action of my wife's car getting the headlight treatment:





I clear-coated the headlights with an aerosol 2K clear-coat after using a 3M restoration kit (the type that uses a drill pad)


So there you go, not a bad day's work! Thank you again for this wonderful online community. On the highway i'm averaging 51mpg, so i'm pleased!

 

Thank you, that's the hope!

 

I paid $4300. 145k miles, one-owner, good service history, bought private-party. A little high in my opinion, but I was willing to pay the extra few hundred bucks for the background knowledge of where the car came from and it's service history.