maintenance TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS 2012 Owner's Manual

395 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
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
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.
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 rags, 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 fans or radiator grille
Be sure the “POWER” switch is off.
With the “POWER” switch in ON mode, the electric cooling fans may auto-
matically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or the coolant tempera-
ture is high. (P. 410)
Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in your eyes.

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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.
If the brake fluid level is low or high
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 refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

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Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the hood.
Pull the hood lock release
lever.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Pull up the auxiliary catch
lever and lift the hood.
STEP 1
STEP 2

398 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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CAUTION
Pre-driving check
Check that the hood is fully closed and locked.
If the hood is not locked properly, it may open while the vehicle is in motion
and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
After installing the support rod into the slot
Make sure the rod supports the hood securely from falling down on to your
head or body.
Hold the hood open by insert-
ing the supporting rod into
either of the slots.
Use the upper slots to open the
hood normally, or use the lower
slots when the hood needs to
be opened wide.
STEP 3

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Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
NOTICE
When closing the hood
Be sure to return the support rod to its clip before closing the hood. Closing
the hood without returning the support rod properly could cause the hood to
bend.

400
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Positioning a floor jack
When raising your vehicle with a floor jack, position the jack cor-
rectly. Improper placement (such as under rear suspension etc.) may
damage your vehicle or cause injury.
Front
Rear

401 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
When raising your vehicle
Make sure to observe the following precautions to reduce the possibility of
death or serious injury:
When using a floor jack, follow the instructions of the manual provided with
the jack.
Do not use the jack that was supplied with your vehicle.
Do not put any part of your body underneath the vehicle when it is sup-
ported only by the floor jack.
Always use floor jack and/or automotive jack stands on a solid, flat, level
surface.
Do not start the hybrid system while the vehicle is supported by the floor
jack.
Stop the vehicle on level, firm ground, firmly set the parking brake and shift
the shift position to P.
Make sure to set the floor jack properly at the jack point.
Raising the vehicle with an improperly positioned floor jack will damage
the vehicle and may cause the vehicle to fall off the floor jack.
Lift up the vehicle using a floor jack
such as the one shown in the illustra-
tion.

402 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
CAUTION
Do not raise the vehicle while someone is in the vehicle.
When raising the vehicle, do not place any object on top of or underneath
the floor jack.
When raising the vehicle, do not set the
floor jack under the rear suspension.Rear suspension
Front

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Maintenance and care
PRIUS +_OM_OM47821E_(EE)
Engine compartment
12-volt battery
P. 413
Engine coolant reservoir
(P. 408)
Engine oil level dipstick
(P. 404)
Engine oil filler cap
(P. 405)
Power control unit coolant
reservoir (P. 408)Fuse box (P. 433)
Radiator (P. 410)
Condenser (P. 410)
Electric cooling fans
Washer fluid tank (P. 4 1 1 )

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Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
Checking the engine oil
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning off the hybrid system, wait more than 5 minutes
for the oil to drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull
the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Flat dipstick: Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Non-flat dipstick: Reinsert the
dipstick fully with its protruding
areas ( in the illustration)
pointing towards the engine.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6