2012 Prius V 120K service interval questions

I used to own a 2007 Prius, but a gal I'm dating has a 2012 Prius Plug-In and wants me to help her with an oil change and some other things. I found some old threads, but opted to start a new thread.

What kinds of things should be changed at 120K? Also, how much different are oil changes vs the 2007 I used to have? I see that the oil filter is in a housing now, instead of a screw on canister like I had on my 2007. I personally prefer a filter in a housing, as that's what I'm used to with my TDIs. I've read some things about inverter and coolant flushes. Any specific kind of coolant that needs to be used? I'm sure it's not the crappy generic green stuff you get from the parts store, and I'm guessing it's not like VW's G13 pink coolant I use in everything here (farm equipment, truck, tractor, etc), though I wonder if that could work (G13 is fantastic stuff).

Do spark plugs need to be changed, and if so, do they need to be gapped? Any idea on what size socket pulls plugs out? This will be the first gasoline engine I've done any work on in about 8 or 9 years, save for my lawn mower.

So to recap, what I know about so far:

• oil/filter
• cabin air filter
• engine air filter
• spark plugs (maybe)
• brake pads and rotors (maybe)

If the brakes need to be changed, are any special tools required to press the piston back into the cylinder? If that's required, I might do a fluid flush/bleed for her, as those are pretty easy to do. Also, are suspension items something that wears out on the Prius like on most cars that are 12 years old? Shocks/struts/control arm bushings/tie rod ends/etc?

 

She said her car is a V, but said it's a 2012 Prius Plug-In, which is why I posted it here. I'm not really up to date on the difference, having not kept up on them since I knew somewhat about the first and second gen.

 

Ugh, EGR. Got rid of that on my TDI, but not really an option on her car. I presume they get gummed up with oil and particulate, just like on a diesel with an EGR? I actually didn't know gas cars had EGRs, but it makes sense.

I'll have to youtube tranny replacement, but I'll probably set aside another day to do that. I was hoping to do brake pads/rotors/fluid, oil/filter, both air filters, shocks/struts and spark plugs in one day. I guess I got lucky and I'm 99% sure I have a 9/16 plug socket in my toolbox that came with a big lot of snap-on stuff from a government auction (I always knew I'd use it someday).

I did watch youtube videos on doing the front struts and I must say - a helluva lot easier than doing the same on a TDI, where you need to use a strut expander to get it off the wheel knuckle (what a royal PITA). The video did list torque specs, but is there a sticky with official torque specs for bolts? For the wiper cowl and metal cover below it, I was just planning on snugging those bolts up by hand. I'm not that fond of these youtube videos that use an impact to snug up bolts. I was taught to hand tighten, and then use a ratchet to snug up, and then a torque wrench if there's a specific torque spec.

 

She's not a car person, so she doesn't know if it's a V, but we both know for a fact it's the 2012 plug-in. I think the headlights are different from the regular 2012 model. Things for me got confusing with the Prius C and V and whatever other variants there are. When I had the 2007, we just went by packages, and that made things a lot easier (as they were still the same car, same parts, just different options).

 

I figured as much. When I bought both my 2002 Golfs, I replaced all that stuff - LCA (with solid Audi TT bushings), swaybar links, ball joints, replaced pads and rotors. Basically a full suspension refresh and new tierods (though I probably won't do those for her car).

 

I'm finding some things are easier than my mk4 and other things are a little more difficult. Thanks for the advice below:

Wouldn't brake fluid just be DOT4, which is pretty generic? I picked up Bosch Double Iridium spark plugs and a 9/16 spark plug socket (since I obviously have no need for such a socket in my toolbox). Also, these engines use timing chains, right? I'll look up videos on replacing the t-stat and water pump; those I would definitely buy OEM and not Chinesium junk.

More like a deletion item. I'll never have to worry about that again, but since some counties in Texas do emissions checks (diesels are exempt; gassers aren't), deleting it obviously isn't an option.

I'll see what videos pop up for this. I've seen some NASTY intakes on mk4 TDIs, that amazed me the engine even functioned at all, with how little airflow was available to the intake manifold

I'm replacing the swaybar links. Didn't think about the bushings. My mind is set on the mk4 (I own 4 of them plus some parts cars), so I didn't think of all of that in my mind. Thought about replacing LCAs/bushings, but don't know if there are upgraded options (like Audi TT bushings for the mk4 VW being an upgrade, as its stiffer). The wheel bearings are all bolt on, right?

 

Found his videos and looks like it's easy peasy. Now I need to see if I have a 10mm hex socket, or hope the parts store has one, as my Snap-On dealer doesn't come to my area until Wednesday. I might tackle EGR another day, but I'll definitely keep it in the back of my mind.