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Getting ready to buy a new to me Gen 3 (2011)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024.

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  1. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    Hello, all. I have been on this forum since 2017 when I bought my first Prius, a 2007 with 175K miles on it at the time. It now has 309K and still runs great, has original hybrid battery and is only on its 3rd set of front brakes. I absolutely love this car and will drive it until the end. Unfortunately, it has the rocker panel rust spots. One really bad and two somewhat bad and it uses a bunch of oil. I still average 45mpg year-round on it and everything functions as it should on it. I can not afford a more expensive option, so please, PLEASE omit the "go for Gen 4" comments. They are not useful. I have looked for a while and an acquaintance of mine who takes good care of things decided to part with their 2011 Prius 4 (4 being the package). It only has 119,500 miles, which is not great for battery, but good for the head gasket (I think). I checked the battery with Dr. Prius and got about 65% life expectancy. I own a Prolong system, so I plan to use it on this car to try and raise that number. Other than that, the car is in very good shape, very well taken care of and has a set of new tires.

    My first question is: Does the Prolong harness for Gen 2 work for Gen 3? I may get another one from Prolong just so I do not have to move the one I have from Gen 2. I have not used the Prolong on my Gen 2 in years since my use case is pretty much perfect for this car. I drive it enough to keep the battery happy. So I wonder if I can save $160 by re-using my Gen 2 harness on Gen 3.

    Second question is: head gasket preventive maintenance. What should I do to keep it healthy? With such low mileage I think I still have a good shot at keeping it good.

    Third question: I am SO spoiled by the rear view camera on my Gen 2 and so surprised that a fairly high trim model (model 4) lacks the rear view camera. Has anyone installed a 3rd party one they like? Is it worth the bother?

    Thank you all for keeping this forum going! I love it and have tried to contribute, but the more I own the Gen 2 the more I love it and the less I think about this place as there are simply no issues with it. It is the most trouble-free car I have every owned. I think I had to replace the coolant valve, which took half an hour and a hundred bucks. It's and amazing car. I can only hope that Gen 3 will serve as well for me.
     
    #1 VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2024
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  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    A 2007 with 309K and still runs great, has original hybrid battery and is only on its 3rd set of front brakes.

    That is what I love to hear. :)

    My 2011 Gen 3 has 201K on it and is still running great. It wore out a wheel bearing which is scheduled to be replaced next week. But like brakes these are well within the normal wear and tear of any commuter car.

    I wish I had some advice to offer on headgaskets, or EGR valves, but sadly I do not think that any such advice exists.
     
    #2 ForestBeekeeper, Oct 19, 2024
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a lot of thoughts here on head gasket issue. nothing proven but:
    1) change the oil at 5k interval
    2) test the coolant frequently and change more often than toyota recommends
    3) keep the egr circuit clean
    4) get the euro water pump software update
    5) all the best!
     
    #3 bisco, Oct 19, 2024
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  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    The harness that Hybrid Automotive sells for the Gen 3 is different than the one that they sell for a Gen 2.

    Can you make the Gen 2 harness work on a Gen 3? I do not know.
     
    #4 Brian1954, Oct 19, 2024
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  5. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    #5 VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024
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  6. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Visit your local Toyota dealership and ask them to install the latest ECM calibration ID (software) update. This should cost about $200 to $275.
    I had mine updated about 2-1/2 years ago.
     
    #6 Brian1954, Oct 19, 2024
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  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Different voltages, you can't use the Gen 3 charger on the Gen 2 battery.
    I "think" you can use the discharger for both though, not 100% sure of that though.
    Contact Prolong would be the safest and smartest thing to do.
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Oct 19, 2024
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  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Not correct. The Gen 2 & 3 both use 28 modules (168 cells) in the HV battery, so they are the same voltages. You can use the same charger and discharger for the Gen 2 and the Gen 3.
     
    #8 Brian1954, Oct 19, 2024
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  9. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    I was pretty certain the batteries between Gen 2 and Gen 3 were the same as far as voltages and number of cells. Thank you for confirming it.
     
    #9 VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024
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  10. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    You are wrong on this. Prius C has a smaller voltage battery, but Gen 3 Prius and Prius V are the same battery voltage and cells.
     
    #10 VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024
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  11. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Keep the EGR clean (every 70k miles). Regrease caliper pins and change coolants every 6 years. 5k mile oil changes, and use a scanguage to monitor things. Trans fluid changes every 60k miles.

    SM-A536V ?
     
    #11 mjoo, Oct 19, 2024
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  12. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    :eek: "Regrease caliper pins and change coolants every 6 years."o_O
     
    #12 ASRDogman, Oct 19, 2024
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  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I stand corrected. I must have missread.... sorry...
    But the Prolong wiring harness is different. At least according to their site.
     
    #13 ASRDogman, Oct 19, 2024
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  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The gen 1 (2001–2003) had a 38-module battery, and therefore a higher voltage than the 28-module batteries used in gen 2 and gen 3.
     
    #14 ChapmanF, Oct 19, 2024
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  15. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    I already do most of these things on my 2007. But two things are different.

    1. How do I keep the EGR clean?
    2. Why change the coolants? They are long lasting pink stuff (or should be) and last a long time. What happens if they are old?

    Thank you all for input!

     
    #15 VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024
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  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    #16 rjparker, Oct 19, 2024
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  17. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Yes and yes. I also change the brake fluid every 5-6 years and bleed until all the lines are clear. This removes water and rust. Trying to avoid premature wear of seals in accumulator pump & master cylinder.

    No oil burning or fluid leaks @ 144k miles on my 2010 Prius.

    SM-A536V ?
     
    #17 mjoo, Oct 19, 2024
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    merv is great:

    watch
     
    #18 bisco, Oct 19, 2024
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  19. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    Love it! Thank you.
     
    #19 VFerdman, Oct 19, 2024
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  20. PriusPaddler

    PriusPaddler Member

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    Wow. Mesmerizing. Subscribed.
     
    #20 PriusPaddler, Oct 19, 2024
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