TOYOTA PRIUS 2003 1.G Owners Manual

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156.ENGINE OIL SELECTION
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” is filled in
your Toyota vehicle. Use Toyota approved
“Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
to satisfy the following grade and viscos-
ity.
Oil grade:
API grade SL “EnergyConserving” or
ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended viscosity:
SAE 5W30
oil008
Temperature range anticipated before next
oil change
SAE 5W30 is the best choice, for good
fuel economy, and good starting in cold
weather. If SAE 5W30 oil is not available, SAE
10W30 oil may be used. However, it
should be replaced with SAE 5W30 at
the next oil change.
82P103
API service symbol
ILSAC certification mark

216
Oil identification marks
Either or both API registered marks are
added to some oil containers to help
you select the oil you should use.
The API Service Symbol is located any-
where on the outside of the container.
The top portion of the label shows the oil
quality by API (American Petroleum Insti-
tute) designations such as SL. The center
portion of the label shows the SAE viscos-
ity grade such as SAE 5W30. “Energy
Conserving” shown in the lower portion,
indicates that the oil has fuelsaving ca-
pabilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant Stan-
dardization and Approval Committee) Certi-
fication Mark is displayed on the front of
the container.
To ensure excellent lubrication perfor-
mance for your engine, the “Toyota Genu-
ine Motor Oil” range is available, which
has been specifically tested and approved
for all Toyota engines.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details of the “Toyota Genuine Motor
Oil” range.Look at the seethrough coolant reser-
voir when the hybrid system is cold.
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is
between the “FULL” and “LOW” lines
on the reservoir. If the level is low, add
ethyleneglycol type coolant for a prop-
er corrosion protection of aluminum
components.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with hybrid system temperature. However,
if the level is on or below the “LOW” line,
add coolant. Bring the level up to the
“FULL” line.
Always use ethyleneglycol type coolant
for a proper corrosion protection of alumi-
num components. See information in the
next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the
radiator, hoses, radiator cap and drain
cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check
for leaks in the cooling system.
157.Checking the coolant level

217
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.
158.Coolant type selection
Use of improper coolants may damage
your cooling system. Your coolant must
contain ethyleneglycol type coolant for a
proper corrosion protection of your hybrid
system that contains aluminum compo-
nents. We have used “Toyota Genuine
Long Life Coolant” in your Toyota vehicle.
In order to avoid technical problems, we
strongly recommend using “Toyota Genu-
ine Long Life Coolant” or equivalent.
In addition to preventing freezing and sub-
sequent damage to the hybrid system, this
type of coolant will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or additives
are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the coolant container for information
on freeze protection. Follow the manufac-
turer’s directions for how much to mix
with plain water (preferably demineralized
water of distilled water). The total capacity
of the cooling system is given on page
242 in Section 9. We recommend to use 50% solution for
your Toyota, to provide protection down to
about 35
°C (31 °F). When it is extremely
cold, to provide protection down to about
50° C (58 °F), 60% solution is recom-
mended. Do not use more than 70% solu-
tion for better coolant performance.NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
The engine cooling system is integral to
maximizing performance of your Toyota
vehicle. In line with this, it is strongly
recommended that you use “Toyota Genu-
ine Long Life Coolant” for protecting the
system, as it is an ethyleneglycol based
premium antifreeze coolant with excellent
corrosion protection properties that has
been specifically formulated for use in
Toyota vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota dealer for fur-
ther details of the “Toyota Genuine Long
Life Coolant” range.

218
If any of the above parts are extremely
dirty or you are not sure of their condi-
tion, take your vehicle to Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
To prevent yourself from burning, be
careful not to touch the radiator or
condenser when the engine is hot.
NOTICE
To prevent damage to the radiator
and condenser, do not perform the
work by yourself.
160.Checking brake fluid
82p002a
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the seethrough reservoir. The level
should be between the ”MAX” and
”MIN” lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear or
when the fluid level in the accumulator is
high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refueling,
it may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem.If the level is low, add SAE J1703 or
FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3 brake fluid to
the brake reservoir.
Refilling brake fluid:
1. Turn the ignition switch off.
2. Depress the brake pedal more than 40 times.
3. Remove the reservoir cap by hand. Add brake fluid up to the ”MAX” line.
If you do not follow the procedure above,
the reservoir may overflow.
Use only newly opened brake fluid. Once
opened, brake fluid absorbs moisture from
the air, and excess moisture can cause a
dangerous loss of braking.
CAUTION
Take care when filling the r eservoir
because brake fluid can harm your
eyes and damage painted surfaces. If
fluid gets in your eyes, flush your
eyes with clean water immediately. If
you still feel uncomfortable with your
eyes, go to the doctor.
159.Checking the radiator and
condenser

219
NOTICE
If you spill the fluid, be sure to wipe
it off to prevent it from damaging the
parts or painting.
82p006a
The air conditioning filter may clog af-
ter long use. The filter may need to be
replaced if the air flow of the air condi-
tioning and heater experiences extreme
reductions in operating efficiency, or if
the windows become to fog up easily.
The air conditioning filter is set behind the
glove box.
To maintain the air conditioning efficiency,
inspect and replace the air conditioning
filter according to the maintenance sched-
ule. (For scheduled maintenance informa-
tion, please refer to the “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement/Scheduled Maintenance”.)
27p007
1. Open the glove box. Turn and pullout 2 pins located on both sides.
Pull down the glove box.
Checking and replacing the
air conditioning filter161.

220
82p008a
2. Pull the filter case toward you totake it out.
82p009a
3. Remove the filter from the filter caseand replace it with a new one. 4. Install the filter and filter case in the
reverse order of removal.
Set the filter in the filter case correctly.
INFORMATION
The air filter should be installed prop-
erly in position. The use of air condi-
tioning with the air filter removed
may cause deteriorated dustproof per-
formance and then affect air condi-
tioning performance.

221
82p003
Keep your tire pressures at the proper
level.
The recommended cold tire pressures, tire
size and the vehicle capacity weight are
given on page 243 in Section 9. They are
also on the tire pressure label as shown.
You should check the tire pressures every
two weeks, or at least once a month. And
do not forget the spare!
Incorrect tire pressure may waste fuel,
reduce the comfort of driving, reduce
tire life and make your vehicle less safe
to drive.
If a tire frequently needs refilling, have it
checked by your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
Keep your tire pressure properly.
Otherwise, the following conditions
may occur and cause an accident re-
sulting in death or serious injuries.
Low tire pressure (underinflation)—
Excessive wear
Uneven wear
Poor handling
Possibility of blowouts from over-
heated tire.
Poor sealing of the tire bead
Wheel deformation and/or tire sepa-
ration
High tire pressure (Overinflation)—
Poor handling
Excessive wear at the center of the
tire tread
A greater possibility of tire damage
from road hazards
The following instructions for checking
tire pressure should be observed:
The pressure should be checked
only when the tires are cold. If your
vehicle has been parked for at least 3
hours and has not been driven for
more than 1.5 km or 1 mile since, you
will get an accurate cold tire pressure
reading.
Always use a tire pressure gauge.
The appearance of a tire can be mis-
leading. Besides, tire pressures that
are even just a few pounds off can
degrade ride and handling.
Take special care when adding air to
the compact spare tire. The smaller
tire size can gain pressure very quick-
ly. Add compressed air in small quanti-
ties and check the pressure often until
it reaches the specified pressure.
Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure
after driving. It is normal for the tire
pressure to be higher after driving.
Never exceed the vehicle capacity
weight. The passenger and luggage
weight should be located so that the
vehicle is balanced.
162.Checking tire pressure

222
Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation
valve caps.
Without the valve caps,
dirt or moisture could get into the
valve core and cause air leakage. If
the caps have been lost, have new
ones put on as soon as possible.
82p004b
Tread wear indicator
CHECKING YOUR TIRES
Check the tire tread for the tread wear
indicators. If the indicators show, re-
place the tires.
The tires on your Toyota have builtin
tread wear indicators to help you know
when the tires need replacement. When
the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06
in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If
you can see the indicators in two or more
adjacent grooves, the tire should be re-
placed. The lower the tread, the higher
the risk of skidding.
The effectiveness of snow tires is lost
if the tread wears down below 4 mm
(0.16 in.). If you have tire damage such as cuts,
splits, cracks deep enough to expose
the fabric, or bulges indicating internal
damage, the tire should be replaced.
If a tire often goes flat or cannot be prop-
erly repaired due to the size or location
of a cut or other damage, it should be
replaced. If you are not sure, consult with
your Toyota dealer.
If an air loss occurs while driving, do not
continue driving with a deflated tire. Driv-
ing even a short distance can damage a
tire beyond repair.
Any tires which are over 6 years old
must be checked by a qualified techni-
cian even if damage is not obvious.
Tires deteriorate with age even if they
have never or seldom been used.
This also applies to the spare tire and
tires stored for future use.
REPLACING YOUR TIRES
When replacing a tire, use only the
same size and construction as original-
ly installed and with the same or great-
er load capacity.
163.Checking and replacing
tires

223
Using any other size or type of tire may
seriously affect handling, ride, speedome-
ter/odometer calibration, ground clearance,
and clearance between the body and tires
or snow chains.
CAUTION
Observe the following instructions.
Otherwise, an accident may occur re-
sulting in death or serious injuries.
Do not mix radial, bias belted, or
biasply tires on your vehicle, as
this may cause dangerous handling
characteristics resulting in loss of
control.
Do not use tires other than the
manufacturer ’s recommended size,
as this may cause dangerous han-
dling characteristics resulting in
loss of control.
Toyota recommends all four tires, or at
least both front or rear tires be re-
placed as a set.
See “If you have a flat tire” on page 177
in Section 5 for tire change procedure.When a tire is replaced, the wheel
should always be balanced.
An unbalanced wheel may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Wheels can get out
of balance with regular use and should
therefore be balanced occasionally.
When replacing a tubeless tire, the air
valve should also be replaced with a
new one.
82p104
To equalize tire wear and help extend
tire life, Toyota recommends that you
rotate your tires according to the main-
tenance schedule. (For scheduled main-
tenance information, please refer to the
“Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.) Howev-
er, the most appropriate timing for tire
rotation may vary according to your
driving habits and road surface condi-
tions.
See “If you have a flat tire” on page 177
in Section 5 for tire change procedure.
164.Rotating tires

224
When rotating tires, check for uneven
wear and damage. Abnormal wear is usu-
ally caused by incorrect tire pressure, im-
proper wheel alignment, outofbalance
wheels, or severe braking.
CAUTION
Do not include a compact spare tire
when rotating the tires. It is designed
for temporary use only.
WHEN TO USE SNOW TIRES OR
CHAINS
Snow tires or chains are recommended
when driving on snow or ice.
On wet or dry roads, conventional tires
provide better traction than snow tires.
SNOW TIRE SELECTION
If you need snow tires, select the same
size, construction and load capacity as
the original tires on your Toyota.
Do not use tires other than those men-
tioned above. Do not install studded tires
without first checking local regulations for
possible restrictions.SNOW TIRE INSTALLATION
Snow tires should be installed on all
wheels.
Installing snow tires on the front w
heels
only can lead to an excessive difference
in road grip capability between the front
and rear tires which could cause loss of
vehicle control.
When storing removed tires, you should
store them in a cool dry place.
Mark the direction of rotation and be sure
to install them in the same direction when
replacing.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the snow tires
incorrectly inflated.
Never drive over 120 km/h (75 mph)
with any type of snow tires.
NOTICE
Do not attempt to use a tire chain on
the compact spare tire, as it may re-
sult in damage to the vehicles as well
as the tire.
Installing snow tires and
chains165.