Thinking to pick up 2013 Prius V (Five) have some questions

The Prius V is the bigger hatch trim and has a different speedometer. It still shares most components with other trims, so I guess it would suffer from the same problems.

1. I don't know about the Prius V, but the gen 3 Prius suffers from engine rattling related to the EGR system. Go ahead and google "Prius engine rattle". The later years Priuses (2012 to 2015) has a newer intake manifold that tries to address this issue.

The most expensive issue I have seen is head gasket failures which is starting to show up due to the age of the car.

2. Follow the maintenance manual. It should be oil changes. There is coolant and engine coolant (not sure 80k miles?). Then spark plugs at 120k miles. Look up the maintenance manual from Toyota. it is online.

3. Some people have used the Dr. Prius app with the appropriate reader, but I don't know about its accuracy.

As a hybrid newbie, you should know that the Prius is basically a gas car with an additional hybrid drivetrain. Any repairs to the hybrid drivetrain is pretty expensive. Hybrid battery can be 3k, brake booster and actuator 1k-2k, or inverter (if not replaced by warranty). Although hybrid repairs from the Prius is very rare.

 

Wow that's low mileage for a 10-year old car!

Since it's 10, I'd say EVERYTHING is due for a change but do a complete check and start with the worst looking. (This is what I did with my daughters 2012 Sienna when she got it a few years ago.) Since then, got all fluids changed out.

Some say don't change the transmission fluid if it's an older car and hasn't been done but that doesn't really apply to the e-cvt's in the Prius...go ahead and do a drain and fill on her.

Here's my maintenance list I've gone by for a years now:

Oil/Filter Every 6-months or 3,000 or 5,000 miles
Engine Air Filter As Needed (check every 6-months)
Cabin Air Every 12-months (Charcoal)

Radiator Coolant Every 5-years or 50,000 miles
Hybrid Coolant Every 5-years or 50,000 miles
CVT/AT Tranny Every 5-years
Power Steering Fluid Every 4-years/50,000 miles (Not Hybrids)
Front/Rear DIffs Every 3-years
Transfer Case Every 3-years
Lube Every 12-months
Spark Plugs/PCV and PCV Valve Hose/ Radiator Cap / Gas cap Every 10-years/100,000 Miles
Brake Fluid Flushed Every 4-years/50,000 miles
Throttle Body Cleaned Every 25,000 Miles
MAF Sensor Cleaned Every 25,000 Miles
Tire Rotation Every 5,000 Miles

 

welcome!

1) hybrid battery, brake actuator and blown head gaskets are common. inverter is a problem if you have to go to a dealer, but if you can diy, a couple hundred for salvage.

2) nothing major, just the 5k tire rotations, oil and filter, inspections, air and cabin filters.
you can find a schedule at toyota.com/owners

3) look into the dr. prius app

4) learn about hybrids before buying one. this is a good place to start.

5) it's never too soon to clean the egr circuit

all the best!

 

For model year 2010 and 2011 in the States, Toyota called one of the levels "Prius V", with the (Roman Numeral) "V" standing in for "5". Then in model year 2012 they switched to calling the levels by numbers (V became 5), and introduced a new model: "Prius v" (note lower case "v").

Here's a 2010/2011 US spec Prius V:



And a 2012 and up Prius v:



Note the difference in roof line. The Prius v (lower case). It's a larger vehicle, same engine, some differences in the transaxle, rear brakes, interior room, and so on.

Can you clarify which model you're looking at?

 

Ours is a 2016.
66K mileage on yours.... I'd just change every fluid and filter you can.
Perhaps the common issue is the lubrication of the brake pad pins.

Tires may be "aged out" so you may have a cost there.
Changing the 12v battery in the trunk and the key fob battery may be $200 well spent to bring a piece of mind.
At 66K miles, IMO, it could be premature to pay for an egr cleaning.
Inspecting your spark plugs (at least breaking the bond loose) could also bring piece of mind.
Even though you mention pristine, many Prius' have missing or damaged plastic undertrays, so have a look.

Not sure how to home test the Hybrid battery, nor can I comment on its age decreasing efficiency....other co-members know better.
At 66K I would call it hardly used, yet it is just the age factor with, from what I recall reaiing, refurbished battery replacement ranging from $2 to $4K.

Good luck.

 

That would be new battery cost....refurbished are running about $750 now in my area.

 

We bought our '10 new, in November of 2010, and some coolant top-up has been needed over the years since. Coolant levels were at the top lines when new, and are there now (at 98K kms), with the following top-ups:

====
Friday, April 03, 2015
km: 51198
* changed engine oil and filter
* lubed all hinges
* checked both air filters (blew out and reinstalled, look good)
* topped up both coolant reservoirs, both were near bottom line
====
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
km: 77900~
* Topped up engine coolant reservoir, it was nearing the low line. (Inverter coolant has not budged since last top up, still at the full line)
====

 

keep your eye on the coolant level. mine hasn't changed since new

 

You can use any brand brake fluid.

 

NO>>................NO.................... unless you like BIG Mental and Financial PAIN....................

 

Here is my two cents.

Prius 2013, purchased brand new .
Vehicle maintenance parts / fluids change / replacement on time or earlier - all OEM , never aftermarket.

1) People hate since day one ( from 2013 to 2018.. now they kind of used to it..lol ) from many alternative cars makes/models drivers, city or highway while driving within speed limit or faster (Never happened with Tacoma pickup)

2) Shot from BB gun twice in quiet relatively safe bedroom neighborhoods (windshield / doors)

3) Broken rear door glass and HV battery stolen

4) 32K miles - DC invertor failed (before JOV mandatory software recall /update)

5) Passenger airbag went OFF ( seat occupancy sensor replaced and recalibrated)

6) Radio LCD intermittently go blank / white or inverted colors ( still present - unfixable - head unit must be replaced )

7) 105 K miles - motor oil consumption began

8) 163K miles - DC invertor failed second time (after JOV mandatory software recall /update)

9) Catalytic convertor stolen

* Waiting for head gasket get blown........................