Just bought an '07. Need high-mileage maintenance tips

That's a great start on ur parts .
I have replaced my PCV valve, on top of the engine in back there small box (maybe a relay box)on the firewall , I want to say it's 8 inches across. You have to unbolt it, along with any wiring harnesses that are around that area. Just gently pull them back to where you will see a black hose on end of intake manifold on the back right upper side of the engine. Take needle nose pliers and move metal clamp away from engine, then work hose off PCV valve . All this is horizontal . Once you pull that away you will see the PCV valve. Spray it with some liquid wrench. Then find proper socket with breaker bar and try to loosen it. I used a ratchet. Then pop new one in, get it snug , but don't over tighten it.
Someone may have other suggestions or Vidio .

 

You're lucky to have a family member who does this for a living. You have access to his knowledge and hopefully tools, if he likes you.
Craftsman micro torque click wrenches are $40 when on sale at Sears; these sales occur with regularity.
Harborfreight is another option. 20% off coupon readily available. Massive %off coupon for a 3/8inch or 1/2inch torque wrench is a regular occurance.
Lowe's might be your best bet as the Kobalt line has a lifetime warranty. Price seems to be $50-$70, depending on size.

As you work on cars more, you'll probably have to acquire 3 torque wrenchs like I have: 3/8in (25-250 in-lbs), 3/8in (5-80ft-lbs), 1/2in (20-150ft-lbs). OR, maybe your brother will be OK w/ you borrowing his tools forever.

Amazon is an option to check out for air filters (engine and cabin), if your open to non OEM filters. Super cheap if one signs up for the "subscribe and save."

 

Getting the spark plugs out was a pain, after I found the right socket extention( sometimes two sizes)
I loosened plugs until they were almost out. Then I found a piece of long rubber hose that fit on top of plug snug, then pulled them out of the deep wells, used same method for getting them back in. You don't want to cross thread. Then snug them up. You have to take each coil cylinder out first.
Note color of plugs color on tip on each cylinder.
Trying to give you some basics , without being too technical .
Unless your real wealthy, would buy tools as needed.

 

A good socket/ratchet set is a start. You will have to buy various tools as needed. Harbor freight isn't bad for some things. I got 1/2inch impact sockets (short and deep well), socket extensions, socket adapter size converters, and other tools. Sure would have loved to get Craftsman, but the price difference was massive.

I would get the Stanley over the Crescent, b/c cheaper and more pieces. Piece count is misleading and an annoying marketing ploy; often times give you pieces/sizes you don't need.

Wrongmart has the same Stanley ($60) and a Bostich 235piece set ($99; have seen it on sale for $82, twice); upside you can have these shipped to you for free. Neither tool set is stocked so might as well let the UPS driver drop it off at your door, vs going to Wrongmart to pick-up when it arrives there. Both have a lifetimewarranty; but who knows if they will be in business when the tool breaks, and you have to have a replacement mailed to you.
bostich mechanics tool set - Walmart.com

Consider getting a Craftsman set (Sears'), Kobalt (Lowe's), or Husky (Home Depot), b/c you could walk into the store and get a replacement part if a piece breaks. Probably will be easier w/ Sears. But who knows how long they will remain in business; I'm sure some other company would buy the Craftsman line if Sears went under. As someone here best said it, best warranty is one you don't use.

I would get this wrench set from Lowe's.
Shop Kobalt 50-Piece Polished Chrome Standard (SAE) and Metric Combination Wrench Set at Lowes.com=
Not a bad wrench set for the on-sale price of $65, when I got it. Lots of sizes and different shapes for hard to reach spots. A thicker metal would make it stronger and better, but that would probably be a much higher price point. Can't be the price and since I don't make a living with my tools, I'm very happy with this purchase.

Not a bad guide for the PCV change. Only improvement is NO anti-sieze lube; totally unnecessary as the threads will never be dry due to exposure from engine oil, so you won't have a hard time removing it. I was able to use a deep well socket and use my torque wrench for the correct tightening; don't know why some people say space was too tight to get a torque wrench onto the PCV.

Definetly get mini VCI and the official Toyota service manual from TIS.

Get cheapest mini VCI from Amazon/eBay. Software version doesn't really matter, as you can find a more current version online somewhere if you plan to work on very late model Toyotas.

Read this for more information on setting up Techstream and using the min VCI cable.
TundraTalk.net - Toyota Tundra Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Offical TechStream software thread( settings and such)

Whatever laptop you install this hacked copy of Techstream on, this should be a spare junker laptop to be only used for Toyota diagnosis. Assume the software has malware on it tracking all your keystrokes and reporting to some criminal organization trying to steal your identity/financial information; definitely do not use this laptop on websites that require log-in/password entries (email, banking, etc). Given this warning, the many Prius gurus here have had no problems/issues using the hacked Techstream software.
One reason why you need mini VCI w/ Techstream is to bleed the brakes. Do NOT let anyone one bleed the brakes on your Prius, as the Prius is a unique braking system that REQUIRES Techstream to properly bleed the brakes.
Don't cheap out. Get the official Toyota service/repair manuals (engine, mechanical, interior, exterior, electrical, essentially EVERYTHING), go to TIS
Two days will cost you $15. Supposedly only business days are counted (remember reading this in other threads). If you start on a Friday 12:00:00 AM, you have until Monday 11:59:59 PM, to finish.

Supposedly PDFs no longer available from TIS. Another Prius Chat member discovered how to make a CHM file into a PDF. Toyota TIS download tips | PriusChat
This user downloaded both his Toyota cars over the course of his 2 business day subscription.
Internet search "CHM to PDF." There appears to be all kinds of software (some free, some purchase) that will accomplish this. Be weary of free as it could contain malware.​

 

Only Metric socket, not SAE, can be used on Prius..

Harbor Freight has inexpensive torque wrenches ($22, or $80 for 3/4" drive). Often times (every few months or so), it offer some of them at 50% off. Otherwise, you can always use the 20% off coupon anytime.

 

The Stanley set you are looking at does not include any torque wrenches. It also includes SAE sizes which are irrelevant when working on any Toyota and for that matter, any foreign brand.

A set like that is OK to start but plan to buy more tools over time as you have a need for them. For example if you change the transaxle ATF you need a 10 mm hex socket and a 24 mm socket for the drain and fill plugs.

If you are applying more than 20 ft.-lb of torque, make sure you are using 6-point sockets. 12-point sockets have a tendency to slip which will damage the fastener in question.

It is important to have a torque wrench because without it, you have at best a vague idea of how much torque to apply when tightening a fastener. Your idea of "tight enough" may vary substantially from mine, and a more correct idea will be developed as you gain experience. As an example I noticed some recent posts having to do with a spark plug change where the poster did not have a torque wrench and left the plugs too loose. In this case the torque spec is 13 ft.-lb.

You will need 1/2" and 3/8" torque wrenches for most work. For example, you need the 1/2" torque wrench when performing suspension work, tightening wheel lug nuts to 76 ft.-lb, tightening the transaxle fluid drain/fill plugs to 29 ft.-lb, etc. You need the 3/8" size when applying a lower torque value, for example the spark plug change mentioned above.

 

When you bust a bolt/stud or strip one, guessing you tightened the object in question to the manufactures specified torque value, you will be cursing at yourself for not using a torque wrench.

When you torque the wheel lug nuts guessing you tightened the nuts to 76ft-lb, it could be under tightened (slightly to severely), or overtightened (slightly to severely). Both are bad and can be dangerous. Undertightened, and the nuts could work themselves loose along with wheel that is no longer held down. Overtightened, and the stud could break off overtime b/c it has been stretched to the point of failure.

Some mechanics cheat and use that "crayon" marker, to retighten a nut/bolt, by realigning the crayon marks. You can't do this with all fasteners, and definitely not w/ lug nuts.

HF has 3/8 and 1/2 inch micro torque wrenches for $12. Tab Coupons
HF has regular sales. Sign-up for email and the mailed monthly circular; you have to walk the monthly circular into the store and get it scanned, to get the next month.
I have the Craftsman torque wrenches; sale price of $40 each, and the sales occur w/ great frequency.
Lowes probably has the best deal on torque wrenches b/c of the lifetime warranty. All other manufactures have a short warranty duration (90days or 1year). Borrow one from your brother until you have funds for a micro torque wrench of your choosing.

 

Hmmmm, OP, you getting all this.
Take it in stride, little info, little work, will all come together ...

 

That's cool,
I want to look into my HV fan as I've said on here, as far as cleaning it.
You could put that on your list somewhere . If I do mine soon, I will let you know how it goes.

 

FYI: I used electric teeth water floss to quickly and easily clean the blades after removal of the fan from the vehicle..

 

The cabin filters are overlooked. When I bought my Pri with 150 k, it looked like a nest of dirt , pine straw and leaves. Had to be the orginal one. My girlfriend 03 Toyota Matrix even has a cabin filter.

 

You will definitely find these tools with lifetime warranty at HF to be a better deal. 20% off coupon is always available online.

 

A good floor jack, jack stands, and maybe ramps. A funnel and 2 ft of tubing for the transaxle fluid change. You're going to need to raise the car and get it level for the transaxle fluid drain and fill.

 

You will be pressed to get a crescent wrench on the PCV valve. You might. It's tight quarters in there, and crescent wrench may not grip enough do move PCV valve. I would try a socket , or a really well made closed end wrench that has the ratcheting action when you turn it.