Recommended Maintenance

It's in the Maintenance or Service Manual which came with the car.

 

add a tranny fluid change and hybrid cooling fan cleaning, load test the 12 volt

 

You don't need to replace the spark plugs, if the original ones work leave them there. I have a 2012 Prius C with 121,600 miles, still the original spark plugs, if it's not broke, don't fix it. I don't think the coolant needs to be change, it's still quite new.

 

I'd listen to toyota...

That said, doesn't Toyota stretch the spark plug interval, in California. But rest of the country it's 12 years or 120K miles.

 

what happens to old low mileage spark plugs?

 

Yep, above and check if that AWDe has a "wet" rear differential - that fluid may also need to be changed. I prefer changing all fluids @ around 100k; even if it's not specified. I consider it cheap insurance; since nothing last forever and contaminates build up over time and mileage.

I'd probably change those hybrid cooling fan filters; even if they look good. They've been filtering for 100K and only cost around $25 for the pair, last time I looked on ebay. Hold onto those old spark plugs and any filters that look good - you can use them for diagnostics, If your car starts running funny after the changes.

FWIW; I'd forgo the radiator flush, unless you've been mixing your coolant with non-OEM coolant. Adding distilled water is fine. I'd just do a drain and fill. If you want to see if your coolant needs to be changed; do a litmus test.

Hope this helps...

 

One thing I wonder about if plugs are left "till they die" - will they be difficult to remove?

 

You can remove, clean deposits and reinstall.

with the high price of dealership labour this isn’t popular, but a good diy ploy. Say around 60k.

 

Yep - I agree. Unlike back in the '70s when you might get 2000km out of a set of plugs (which were cheap) - they're verrrrrry long lived.

But I do recall a chap I worked with - who knew nothing about cars, had an early Holden. He thought he was clever, and asked for a "GREASE AND OIL CHANGE" at the garage. Which they dutifully did every 5000 miles. Because that's what he asked for.

It was running quite rough and he asked them about it - they asked "when was it tuned last?" "WHAT IS TUNING?" "GROAN!!"

They had great difficulty getting the plugs out, but fortunately none broke off - they were apparently the worst they'd ever seen - the ground electrode was almost missing on all 6.

 

Yeah now that “tune up” has become meaningless.

 

In its original literal sense, that term applied primarily to the ignition system of the Ford Model "T"---and to few if any vehicles since the T's heyday. . Even the popular loose figurative sense has been obsolescent since about the early 1980s.

 

Sparkplugs after 148,000 miles | PriusChat Spark plugs after 148,000 miles, barely any wear on these on a 2008 Prius.

 

Not sure - had quite a few Carburettors, points ignition etc in the '80s and even '90s. Valve clearances etc too. Pretty well all of those with Fuel Injection, hydraulic valve lifters, electronic ignition/computers.

 

Prius style plugs are pricier up here. Going from memory close to $20 CDN apiece through dealership, and around $15 through a supply place I trust. At 60k they’re like new still, too.

I see your point though, maybe more so with US prices.

 

I just replace them; sometime after 80k miles; when I get the chance. Mainly because I'm paranoid that they will seize onto the head. The OEM plugs gets inspected, regapped (if possible) & cleaned-up - goes into the wheel well as backups.
I do admit - I haven't seen a seized plug on any car that is late 80"s or newer (knock on wood). Probably because modern plugs don't seize to aluminum heads. But old habits die hard and I like to think it's because I'm doing a GREAT job at preventive maintenance......

Hope this helps...

PS: Hint: when removing lower windscreen plastic; let the plastic warm up a bit before messing with it. Cold plastic tends to be brittle and break, when you mess with it.

 

[QUOTE

PS: Hint: when removing lower windscreen plastic; let the plastic warm up a bit before messing with it. Cold plastic tends to be brittle and break, when you mess with it.[/QUOTE]
Just replaced mine on 2016 and was able to to this without removing the lower windscreen. I took the retainer clip out, but simply pushed the plastic windscreen up and out of the way as I accessed each hole with two 3" extensions and the spark plug socket extension. A very easy spark plug change (esp when considering the Sienna's back 3 on the 3.5L).

 

Yup! Almost as easy as a Gen2.

As for the Gen 3, there's no way I'd put back used plugs after 80-90k miles. I've gotten so I can remove and reinstall the wipers and cowling pretty fast now, but it's still quite a bit of work that should not have been made necessary in the first place.