2004priusgal

11.5.2025 220k mi. oil changes every 6 months. probably last conventional oil chg as it's impossible to find in nj lass that $50.. 3rd seafoam trearment... ran 400 mi b 4 chg. Jim said looked black but was not that bad. DIY group says try vavoline.


Update 2024.
sept '23, driver headlamp lo n went off in muggy situation. came back on after 1 hr. ?? che king. HIT pothole May 2024, passgr front. June 2024, pass. Lamp went out. Changed bulb, non oem, goes our ever 3 months, but come back on once lites on/ off. Pita to get housing off...

June 2023 208k, evap code. P0446 changed rear purge valve solinoid, back of fuel tank, by blue stripe.. $133. oem

January .2023, 200,000 miles !

12.22 coolant tank lost 1/8 th inch.?? no leaks seen.

10.22 blew fuse for 12v outlet underdash. 2nd seafoam treatment. Still conventional oil @ $10/qt. . Conditioned window rubber.

7.2022. hottest days 90s. Invertor coolant pump went... 3rd one in 8 years of ownership... non oem. lasted 3 yrs. ac was not blowin cool.
Replaced it with oem, about $138 on sale.... Other dealer wanted 199. Hope its real.

Also getting light clicks when turning at slow speeds. Bearings? Joints?
hole in exhaust pipe near muffler. Wondering what the front manifold looks like. ??

3.2022 coded, misfire cyl 1. cleaned out oil n moisture in cyl 1 n 3. after wet snowfall when car parked downward slope. boot loose. all ok.


7.2021 new shocks n struts n stabilizer bars front . kyb rear, oem fronts. still feel slight shimmy / vibration in steering wheel. Tires changed, bent rim straightened out. Less shimmy.

6.2021 HV Battery pak new oem at dealer. increased mpg about 6 to 8 mpg. $1950 +300 install 3 yr warrenty. about 185k. old one not all orig., although Caldwell, nj dealer told me it was orig when purchased in 2014. Lie.

6.7.21 - Brake flush at dealer. Per dealer, there is a flush (just brake lines) and then there is a total replacement (thru entire system) which dealer does not do unless pump etc changed, because very time consuming. I asked for later, but thats not what was done (not surprised). Did notice fluid was much lighter in color - very pale, than original fluid - deep yellow. Suspension next...

Update: 25 May 2021... 183k
red triangle, code p ...93. INV coolant PUMP not working, again, after 3 years. Replaced. Runs quieter - yea!

Needs shocks and back brakes now, too.
6.21 REAR BRAKE shoes, drums cylindar changed. Bro forgot to unplug 12 v - !, ABS & VSC lights on + red brake light. (ugh!). Will jump the 4/13 and take her to mechanic for ? bleeding or teckstream... errrr!

Last week restored light = sanded and acrylic on front headlamp (wondered if chemicals had anything to do with pump failure???)

Joined DIY Facebook group r oup.. very good.

Update. june 2020... covid diy.. my bro and i changed hv battery module 15. new Busbars.
Shes better now... 2004, 176k.


Just a citizen
Interested in knowing my car, and being responsible for its upkeep, without added expense. My brother is the motorhead who helps and God bless him, puts up with (some) of my questions.

Other Brother taught me how to do my own tuneups & oil changes when i was a poor college student, (chrysler duster) and I have been interested in Car repair ever since. For example.
Why Toyota charges so much just to change the cabin filter is beyond me... sad because they would get a lot more business if dealer cost was just dang reasonable.

For the record, my sister in law to be and I wanted to take car shop in high school, but school would not let us. They gave us carpentry instead. Many years later we learned why they said no - teacher swore like a sailor (no offense to sailors). Seems funny now, except all the money I could have saved for various and sundry DIY.

Thank you for having this excellent forum!