engine coolant TOYOTA PRIUS 2009 2.G Owners Manual

173
2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Winter driving tips
Carry out the necessary preparations and inspections before driving
the vehicle in winter. Always drive the vehicle in a manner appropri-
ate to the prevailing weather conditions.
■ Pre-winter preparations
●Use fluids that are appropriate to the prevailing outside tem-
peratures.
• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Washer fluid
● Have a service technician inspect the level and specific grav-
ity of 12 volt battery electrolyte.
● Have the vehicle fitted with four snow tires or purchase a set
of tire chains for the front tires.
Ensure that all tires are the same size and brand, and that chains
match the size of the tires.

349
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
General maintenance
Engine compartment
Luggage compartment
ItemsCheck points
Brake fluid • At the correct level? ( P. 369)
Engine/inverter coolant • At the correct level? (P. 367)
Engine oil • At the correct level? (P. 361)
Exhaust system • No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses • Not blocked with foreign matter?
(P. 369)
Washer fluid • At the correct level? (P. 374)
ItemsCheck points
12 volt battery • Maintenance-free (P. 371)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supp lement”. It is recommended that
any problem you notice should be brought to the attention of your
Toyota dealer or qualified service shop for advice.

353
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
12 volt battery condition(P. 371)
•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
Brake fluid level ( P. 369)
• FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE
J1703 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding brake fluid)
Engine/inverter coolant level (P. 367)
• “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”
or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-
amine, non-nitrite and non-borate
coolant with long-life hybrid
organic acid technology.
For the U.S.A.:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 50% cool-
ant and 50% deionized water.
For Canada:
“Toyota Super Long Life Cool-
ant” is pre-mixed with 55% cool-
ant and 45% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding cool- ant)

355
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
CAUTION
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:
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, inverter, 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 or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the 12 volt
battery. Fuel and 12 volt battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the 12 volt battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
● Never touch, disassemble, remove or replace the high voltage parts,
cables and their connectors. It can cause severe burns or electric shock
that may result in death or serious injury.
● When the hybrid system is operating with the “READY” light on, the engine
may suddenly start in some cases. When you inspect the engine compart-
ment, be sure to turn off the hybrid system.
■ When working near the electric cooling fan or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is OFF.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fan may automat-
ically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature
is high. ( P. 369)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.

360
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Engine compar tment
■12 volt battery
 P. 371
Washer fluid tank
( P. 374)
Brake fluid reservoir ( P. 369)
Engine oil filler cap ( P. 363)
Engine coolant reservoir ( P. 367)Inverter coolant reservoir
( P. 367)
Fuse box ( P. 394)
Radiator ( P. 369)
Condenser ( P. 369)
Electric cooling fans
Engine oil level dipstick ( P. 361)

367
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
Engine/inverter coolant
The coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold.
Engine coolant reservoir Reservoir cap
FULL
LOW
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
Inverter coolant reservoirReservoir cap
FULL
LOW
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
FULL
FULLLOW
LOW
1
2
3
ITY43P012
LOW
FULL
LOW
1
2
3
ITY43P013

368 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap,
drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your Toyota dealer pressure test the cap and
check for leaks in the cooling system.
■ Coolant selection
Only use “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” or similar high quality ethylene
glycol based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid technology.
U.S.A.: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized water. (Enabled: -31 F [-35 C])
Canada: “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant” is a mixture of 55% coolant and 45% deionized water. (Enabled: -44 F [-42C])
For more details about engine coolant, contact your Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■ When the coolant is hot
Do not remove the coolant reservoir cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing burns or other injuries.
NOTICE
■When adding the coolant
Coolant is neither plain water not straight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and anti freeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■ If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it damage to parts or paint.

5
When trouble arises
427
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
*1: This warning light is di
splayed on the touch screen.
*2: Open door warning buzzer:

(U.S.A.)
Engine oil replacement
reminder light
Illuminates for about 3 sec-
onds and then flasher for
about 15 seconds:
Engine oil is scheduled to
be changed. Check and the engine oil,
and change if necessary.
Comes on and remains:
Engine oil should be
changed. Check and change the
engine oil.

*1
Hybrid battery warning
light
The hybrid battery voltage
drops when the transmis-
sion is left in “N” position. Push the “P” position
switch.
The hybrid battery is dis-
charged. If this light comes on with
the “READY” light on in this
case, have the system
checked by your Toyota
dealer.

*1
High coolant temperature
warning light Indicates high engine cool-
ant temperature P. 454
Master warning light A buzzer sounds and the
warning light comes on
and flashes to indicate that
the master warning system
has detected a malfunc-
tion. Take appropriate action in
accordance with the mes-
sage displayed on the touch
screen.
Warning lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure

454
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
If your vehicle overheats
Correction proceduresStop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the automatic air
conditioning system.
Check to see if steam is coming out from under the hood.
If you see steam: Stop the hybrid system. Carefully lift the hood after the
steam subsides and then restart the hybrid system.
If you do not see steam: Leave the hybrid system operating and carefully lift the
hood.
Remove the engine compartment cover. ( P. 361)
Check to see if the cooling fan is operating.
If the fan is operating: Wait until the engine coolant temperature gauge begins to
fall and then stop the hybrid system.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the hybrid system immediately and call your local Toy-
ota dealer.
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating:
The high engine coolant temperature warning light comes on:
The hybrid system may be overheating.
Follow the correction procedure as described blow.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP4

456 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
PRIUS_U_(OM47614U)
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
● If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injury such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing away from the fan and engine drive belt while the
hybrid system is operating.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap while the hybrid system and radiator are
hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the hybrid system has cooled down before adding engine/inverter
coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot hybrid sys-
tem too quickly can cause damage to the hybrid system.