Brake Pads & Oil Changes. How Often?

The brakes on the Prius last quite a long time because most of your braking will be electronic braking until you get to a really slow speed. At 77k miles, you probably are not due for brake replacement yet.

You normally won't need a wheel alignment until you start seeing your tires wearing on the edges and your car starts pulling to one side while you're driving. It's not something you normally do when you get your brakes replaced. Some people do it when they replace their tires, just to make sure their new tires wear correctly and evenly.

Oil changes are usually at 5000 miles to 10000 miles, depending on your driving pattern. If you are in lots of stop and go driving, you should do it at 5000 miles. If you have long stretches of highway without many stops, you can extend that to 7000-10000 miles. Although many people won't go that long between oil changes.

 

Toyota USA recommends a more in-depth brake inspection (instead of the “visual” inspection, every 5k miles or 6 months) every 30k miles or tri-yearly, whichever comes first. It’s outlined in the warranty and maintenance booklet that came with the car. If that’s missing you can download a pdf at Toyota Tech Info, in the manuals tab. There’s more to it than simple pad replacement. Pad replacement may or may not be required, in the course of the inspection.

I’ve attached some info on brake maintenance, plus a spreadsheet summary of the 4th Gen Toyota USA schedule.