TOYOTA PRIUS C 2020 Owners Manual
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4117-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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WARNING
■If your vehicle is no t properly maintained
Improper maintenance could result in serious damage to the vehi cle and
possible serious injury or death.
■ Handling of the 12-volt battery
● Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and a wide variety of automobile
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects and other reproductive harm. Wor k in a
well ventilated area.
● Oils, fuels and fluids contained in vehicles as well as waste produced by
component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Califor-
nia to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive har m. Avoid
exposure and wash any affected area immediately.
● 12-volt battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and
lead compounds which are known to cause brain damage. Wash your
hands after handling. ( P. 431)
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4127-2. Maintenance
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General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be
performed at the intervals specified in the “Owner's Warranty
Information Booklet” or “Owner's Manual Supplement/Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide”. It is recommended that any problem
you notice should be brought to the attention of your Toyota
dealer or qualified s ervice shop for advice.
Engine compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluidIs the brake fluid at the correct level?
( P. 428)
CoolantIs the engine/power control unit coolant at the
correct level? ( P. 426)
Engine oilIs the engine oil at the correct level? (P. 423)
Exhaust systemThere should not be any fumes or strange
sounds.
Radiator/condenserThe radiator and condenser should be free from
foreign objects. (P. 428)
Washer fluidIs there sufficient washer fluid? (P. 430)
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery Check the connections. (P. 431)
Accelerator pedal• The accelerator pedal should move smoothly
(without uneven pedal effort or catching).
Brake pedal
• Does the brake pedal move smoothly?
• Does the brake pedal have appropriate clear-ance from the floor? ( P. 542)
Does the brake pedal have the correct amount
of free play? ( P. 542)
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4137-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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Brakes
• The vehicle should not pull to one side whenthe brakes are applied.
• The brakes should work effectively.
• The brake pedal should not feel spongy.
• The brake pedal should not get too close to the floor when the brakes are applied.
Head restraints
(Adjustable type)• Do the head restraints move smoothly andlock securely?
Hybrid transmission
“Park” mechanism• When parked on a slope and the parkingbrake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Indicators/buzzers• Do the indicators and buzzers function prop-erly?
Lights• Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Does the parking brake lever operate nor-mally?
• When parked on a slope and the parking
brake is on, is the vehicle securely stopped?
Seat belts• Do the seat belts operate smoothly?
• The seat belts should not be damaged.
Seats• Do the seat controls operate properly?
Steering wheel
• Does the steering wheel rotate smoothly?
• Does the steering wheel have the correctamount of free play?
• There should not be any strange sounds com-
ing from the steering wheel.
ItemsCheck points
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Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Doors• Do the doors operate smoothly?
Engine hood• Does the engine hood lock system work prop-erly?
Fluid leaks• There should not be any signs of fluid leakageafter the vehicle has been parked.
Tires
• Is the tire inflati on pressure correct?
• The tires should not be damaged or exces- sively worn.
• Have the tires been rotated according to the
maintenance schedule?
• The wheel nuts should not be loose.
Windshield wipers/rear
window wiper (if
equipped)
• The wiper blades should not show any signs
of cracking, splitting, wear, contamination or
deformation.
• The wiper blades should clear the windshield/
rear window without streaking or skipping.
WARNING
■If the hybrid system is operating
Turn the hybrid system off and ensure that there is adequate ve ntilation
before performing maintenance checks.
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Maintenance and care
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The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere in the
emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test and
may need to be repaired. Contact your Toyota dealer to service the
vehicle.
● When the 12-volt battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set duri ng ordinary driving are erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes may
not be completely set.
● When the fuel tan k cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on indicating a temporary
malfunction and your vehicle m ay not pass the I/M test.
The error code in th e OBD system will not be cleared unless the vehi-
cle is driven 40 or more times.
Contact your Toyota dea ler to prepare the vehicle for re-testin g.
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnos tics) checks. The OBD system
monitors the operation of t he emission control system.
If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test in the following situations:
When the malfunction indicator lamp still remains on after sev-
eral driving trips
If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
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7-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance by yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsCheck points
12-volt battery condition (P. 431) • Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level
(P. 428)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1703 brake
fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/power control
unit coolant level (P. 426)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or a similar
high quality ethylene glycol based non-sili-
cate, non-amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid tech-
nology
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 50% coolant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is pre-mixed
with 55% coolant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding coolant)
Engine oil level (P. 423)• “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil” or equivalent
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding engine oil)
Fuses ( P. 454)• Fuse with same amperage rating as original
Light bulbs (P. 458)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as
original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench
Radiator and condenser
(P. 428)
Tire inflation pressure
( P. 444)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
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Maintenance and care
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Washer fluid (P. 430)
• Water or washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
• Funnel (used only for adding water or washer
fluid)
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions:
■When working on the engine compartment
● Vehicles without a smart key system: Make sure that the power s witch is in
the “LOCK” position and the “READY” indicator is off.
Vehicles with a smart key system: Make sure that the indicator on the
power switch and the “READY” indicator are both off.
● Keep hands, clothing and tools away from the moving fan and eng ine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, power control unit, radiator, exhaust
manifold, etc. right after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids
may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper and r ags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel. Fuel fumes
are flammable.
■ When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Vehicles without a smart key system: The electric cooling fan m ay keep
rotating for about 3 minutes even after the power switch is tur ned to the
“LOCK” position.
With the power switch in the “ON” position, the electric coolin g fan may
automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tem-
perature is high. Be sure the power switch is in the “LOCK” position when
working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille.
Vehicles with a smart key system: The electric cooling fan may keep rotat-
ing for about 3 minutes even after the power switch is off.
With the power switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fan may automati-
cally start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. Be sure the power switch is off when working near the electric cool-
ing fan or radiator grille.
ItemsCheck points
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4187-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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WARNING
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc.
from getting in your eyes.
NOTICE
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air.
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4197-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
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Pull the hood lock release lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch lever
and lift the hood.
Hold the hood open by inserting
the supporting rod into the slot.
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
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4207-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehic le is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious inj ury.
■ After installing the sup port rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your
head or body.
NOTICE
■ When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing th e hood. Closing
the hood with the support rod up could cause the hood to bend.