DIY visual inspection for dummies

This is a great thread! I hate my local dealer so much for their ineptitude, I think they realize my feelings, ignored my request for appointment for the floor mat fix and inspection. Now I can have some idea and do it on my own, I would like to take pics and have someone look them over though. I will spend Monday or Tuesday on this and the PCV valve. One issue I have (will have to try the flashlight thing) how to check the coolant, the full and low marks are practically next to each other and the bottle makes it hard to see. Any other tips on this, only thing that makes me nervous. Relevant info: 2008 Prius 64,000 miles in service 2 years 2 months (on Saturday).

Thank you!
Raf

 

As to the dealer after two oil changes where they told me the oil had to be over the full mark (and significantly so) and left a bolt off of a brake change on another vehicle I wont go near them other than to get supplies that I cannot get at other dealers. I plan to either find the best rated (by Prius Chaters) dealer and travel to them or go somewhere in Texas and visit family, no other dealers nearby here in West KY. Nashville might work, but I have heard good things about one dealer in Dallas so road trip!

Thanks for the further info on the Coolant!

Raf

 

Quick note, did the inspection from this thread today. Still deciding how things were and reviewing notes here. One question, the coolant looked low in the front (overflow?) tank, behind the radiator. As above I cannot really see how the farther back tank level is, though now it looks like it is low also. Can I, should I, add coolant, and if so should I add it to the front tank that is definitely low? Will have at least one pic to be looked at later. I am new to car maintenance so keep the making fun down, but what is the disc to be measured at 22 mm, should be in pic 1 correct? I think the 11mm one is the one with green and grey behind it correct (clear in pic 3)?

Thanks again!
Raf

 

Yes, you can and should add coolant when it is low. I recommend you buy a gallon jug of Toyota Super Long Life Coolant from your friendly Toyota dealer's parts dept counter. This will cost ~$21 or so. The coolant is premixed with distilled water, just pour it in.

You may find that a plastic funnel will help you to add the coolant, without spills.

 

Thanks!

 

Every 3,000 miles or every other month, I soak the CV boots, steering boots, sway bar joints and strut boots with silicone spray (by Permatex, #80070). This is a trick I learned years ago while working for a gas station from the mechanic.

My 2001 Honda Insight with 287,000 still had the original CV boots that were in perfect supple condition.

 

Do you have picture for steering boots, sway bar joints and strut boots? Sorry I'm new to DIY and need more information how to locate those parts

 

I just spray it on/soak it directly. Most of the residual dust and durt comes right off with the soaking.

 

dony 71-

Strut boot #11 and #18

Axel boots #62 #63 #65 #74

Steering boots #12 #75 #76 #79

These are great pictures of the areas I soak with silicon spray. Keeps the boots nice and supple.

 

+1
I do this during oil changes while I wait for the oil to drain completely.

 

Electrical Issue?

Hello everyone,

My name is Nick, from Seattle. I am a first time Prius owner. Bought my 2003 Prius about eleven months ago. I am having an electrical problem as a couple of day of now. Several things, like check engine sign, triangle with exclamation mark in it, a car symbol with exclamation mark. After taking it to the dealership, testing came back with P3000, P3030, C1202, C1213, C1215, C1241,C1242, C1259, C1551 - any idea what these might mean. They told me that has something to do with a HV battery and that in its turn causes all these other error signals. However when I look at the battery functionality of the dash boards, everything appears good as before. The car drives fine, sometimes powering down. If I pull over and restart, it goes again. Please help if you can, any advice?

 

+1
and If I don't do an oil change monthly (I drive a lot of miles, 38,000 + per year) then I silicon the boots every other month as a routine.

 

Re: Electrical Issue?

Get it replaced under the hybrid 8 year warranty?