So this will probably sound like a dumb question to some of you. I have a 2008 prius, recently I maintenance at 100,000 miles. I checked the receipt and they did not replace the engine/inverter coolant. In two day I am taking a trip that will be 400 miles there, and 400 miles back. Do I have anything to worry about if my car is running normally?
Fluids ages by loosing their ability to do what they are supposed to do over time and usage of the vehicle. For example: oil/transmission fluid (ATF-WS) - looses its protective lubricating properties over time. coolant - looses its "cooling" and metal protective properties (corrosion inhibitors for metal and aluminum) over time. brake fluid - boiling point gets reduced over time due to absorbtion of moisture/water from the environment and the heat at each wheel brake caliper. Albeit the Prius is really easy on brake fluid due the regenerative braking. Good informative article on brake fluid: Why Change Brake Fluid Obviously these fluids need to get changed out at specified intervals, which Toyota lists. Sadly transaxle fluid (ATF-WS) and brake fluid is not listed for the Gen2 in the US. However, should a warranted part fail, and it is attributed to the coolant not being drained/filled, Toyota has a legal basis to deny this warranty claim: owner did not follow maintenance schedule resulting in failed part(s). Will this happen by going over 800 miles on the factory coolant fill? Unlikely. But get it drained/filled sooner rather than later.
You don't need to worry during your trip. However upon your return you should have the coolants drained and replaced.
Just one small point here. If you have a 2008 Prius the inverter coolant pump should have been changed free of charge in the not to distant past along with the inverter coolant. If the pump has not been change after returning from your trip get it changed, and make a point of the dealer changing the fluid as prescribed by Toyota with the pump change. This should cost nothing. If the pump has been changed so to has the fluid. If the fluid has not been changed that is the fault of the dealer that changed the pump, and should not impact on any guarantee as Toyota pay the dealer to change the fluid with the pump. Your dealer can check if the pump has been changed. John (Britprius)
"In the US", if the recall has been done, it would be recorded on New Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Hybrids | Toyota Official Site, click Owners, enter VIN, check Recalls and Maintenance. Please note that although the recall calls for "inverted coolant" change, it is sometimes not completely changed. This also does not include "engine coolant". Regardless, listen to Patrick on this one.
Read post #17 & see the embedded high speed youtube video link of a tech doing an inverter pump replacement. What do I need at 100k? 2008 Prius | PriusChat Remember, time=money for tech. Less SLLC used = more profit for dealer. I am of the belief that very few dealers change the inverter coolant when they performed the warranty recall. Wish they would say "top off coolant."
