Prius top 8 Maintenance tips - 2nd Gen

[@nathanhatcher7096]

As a retired hybrid tech and someone that has enjoyed driving Prius for many years, don't over look your tires they play a big role with gud fuel economy! They should be inflated correctly monthly and rotated every 5k Miles, also when replacement comes time be sure to get low rolling resistance tires too! Thanks for sharing Nate

[@buttonsangel3074]

Bought mine new in 04, 200k, still kickin. The low rolling resistance tires do help with fuel economy, definitely. But i find their wet traction inadequate, as their break loose much too easily in the rain. I go with the best wet traction touring tires i can get, and sacrifice a little mileage, currently using yokohama avid ascend gt.

[@Ka_Gg]

I have a first gen insight (also have a Prius). On the insight, the difference between LRR and regular tires is huge. Significant mpg difference but even just coasting it's noticeable

[@buttonsangel3074]

@@Ka_Gg I went from averaging 53mpg with LRR tires to 50mpg with good wet traction regular tires. I don't know what driving the Insight is like in the wet, but the 2nd gen Prius was horrible off the line with the OEM LRR tires. For a low powered vehicle, those tires broke loose ridiculously easy. And the second they lose traction, traction-control cuts engine power dramatically (much more so than a "regular" vehicle). I grew tired of the cars behind me blowing their horns as I waited for traction. I'm the original owner, I Love the car, but hated those OEM LRR s.

[@puppergod9018]

Hey! Hopefully you could help. I replaced both batteries in my Prius and the coolant pump, but it stalls out every 10 minutes and turns right back on, stalling more frequent when it's hot out. any advice on how to diagnose?

[@nathanhatcher7096]

@@puppergod9018 first need to pull the codes with a gud code reader, something tells me it could be related to the air mass flow sensor or elec throttle body both will cause the 2nd gen to cut out like. Let us know what u find

[@bladerunner1458]

In love with my reliable Generation 2, 2008 Prius, with 170,000 miles. Bought new 25K 10/2007. Excellent shape, since its garage kept. Original Battery perhaps due to less corrosion on the hybrid battery connections? Has additional front and rear running lights. The HID headlights failed but replaced them myself by feeling my way with my hand and did not have to take the bumper off. They are much brighter than the originals. Replace the 12V battery twice. New water pump. New left front bearing. 2 New PVC valve replacement. Fix a leak in the air-conditioning system. Cleaned hybrid battery fan with an added cleanable filter screen at the air intake. Sometimes the dash lights go out when the weather gets cold then will go back on within 50 miles of driving. Heard it’s cold solder joints on the electronics? Went 90K 10yr. with the energy saver Defender Michelin tires and replaced them with the regular Defender Michelin tires. Loss a few miles per gallon but handles better and a softer ride maybe due to new thread. The Prius is used for long trips only with an average mileage of 50+ MPG. Short trips are by bike, feet and public transit all year. It’s a beautiful sports car Barcelona RED and a sleeping camping car with a 6’ bed with great cargo capacity. Adding a portable inverter makes a 115 Volt generator for back up efficient home power with the on and off cycle of the engine. The Princess Prius is a tough survivor like the princess cat in the movie “The Incredible Journey”. The beautiful large dash display is ahead of its time with sharp graphics like a space ship. Ran out of gas, and a whole dashboard lit up including the triangle of death (indicates serious malfunction - do something now!). Fortunately filled up 1/2 mile away before the battery became too low. Never again!! It’s an adventure reliable stealth vehicle that slips through the air quietly! The best smooth styling of all the model years. Definitely a incognito James Bond vehicle with secret abilities never to be underestimated. So watch out!!! Soon it will become a classic antique with appreciating value

[@KingCobbones]

Regarding dash lights - I had an electrolytic capacitor go bad in the combination meter in both my '05 and '06 Prius. Same symptoms as you mentioned, but it got progressively worse, happening at higher and higher temperatures, until they eventually didn't come on at all. It's a cheap repair (20 cents), if you are handy with a soldering iron, and don't mind taking your dash apart.

[@vby9588]

in addition to those 8 few tips from my 356k miles prius experience: silicone your rear lights, they will start leaking inside under 12v battery space. I found one day a standing water right under that battery. When your ABS pump goes out, don't buy used one of ebay, they all bad, get it from the dealer with a correct resistor. Get a catalytic converter protection cover.

[@AdamD-v6t]

Thx for rear light tip. I just changed my 12v battery and found standing water under it. Optima batt lasted almost 9yrs. Me: 2004 220k 50-52mpg from my daily 25mi commute. Most everything original still. Changing plugs this weekend because it’s been 220k. Heh.

[@anmolbehl1883]

Short and precise. No faff. This video is perfect!

[@hashim_iraq]

Thank you for the tips. Spark plugs are very important. Mine has 170k when I bought it. The first thing I changed was the plugs. I was getting 30mpg now 37mpg.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Awesome!

[@khakimal]

yeah, the plugs + air filter+ clean the throttle get better mileage. Mine from 32 to 46 mls/ gallon . I test twice on freeway only with high speed ( average 65 mls/ hr)

[@ColeSloth]

Also, if your 12v battery in the back is totally dead you won't be able to start the car. Instead of digging out and getting to the battery back in the trunk, there's a jump point in the fuse/relay box under the hood. Much easier to get at.

[@greyroad]

Thanks a lot, my friend. I got a pre-owned Gen-2 with 186k miles on it, & have replaced spark plugs, transmission fluid, coolant fluid in both the boxes, PCV valve in addition to oil & filter change (air & cabin filters). It seems to run well until now, & I really like it.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Nice work on keeping up on the maintenance :D I’m curious though, you said it runs good until now, what’s it doing?

[@gerradwalker346]

did you do this yourself or go to a shop?

[@erinsjourney315]

As a new 2nd gen Prius owner I’m grateful for this video and and would LOVE additional maintenance content as i plan on doing all the work myself. Thank you! 👌

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Awesome! :D I plan on doing an additional maintenance items video to add to this one.

[@IlIIlllIIIIIIl]

These tips are all great. BUT! The mostly costly replacement item is BY FAR the hybrid battery. As such, maintaining this battery should be #1 on this list. What this video neglected is THOROUGHLY cleaning the hybrid battery fan. Plenty of videos on KZbin it's easy enough to get to and clean. The #1 enemy of the hybrid battery is heat.

[@IlIIlllIIIIIIl]

Additionally, I would recommend going on ebay and purchasing a hybrid battery fan filter after you clean the fan. They make them for all gens I believe. With this you can PREVENT the fan from getting dirty in the first place. And protect the time investment you just made disassembling the trunk and cleaning the fan.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Cleaning the battery fan was the first on the list as the most important thing..

[@AdamD-v6t]

Change oil 5k for synthetic! Do not do 10k changes

[@FlatEarthTalk]

Got a gen 2 prius just about to hit 240,000 miles and a lot of these just started to happen. Inverter pump went out on the road and red triangle showed up while driving, thankfully we made it back home. Then the 12v battery went out a week later. Hopefully that's it! great tips, much thanks!

[@古道不怂]

Love this generation the best. It is the best looking car ever for me 🎉🎉

[@madcowusa4277]

Bought an '08 for a really good price and 110,000 miles. Drove it home and the car wouldn't start again and had the death triangle. Thought I got scammed as the sellers were acting elusive and took my initial offer. Turns out it only needed a new 12v battery. Anyway, 248,000 miles now and doing, or have done, most of these to get her to 300K. It's using 1qt of oil between changes now. The big expenses came in quick succession after 220K miles: Rebuilt main battery ($1608), all new brakes ($550), front wheel bearing ($450), stolen cat ($1800 with tow, sensors and anti theft shield). I'd add to your list 4 new Denso ignition coils at 150K miles to be sure. They're only $55 each on RockAuto and take minutes to install.

[@radbikeadventure]

Hi thanks for the video! What is the best way to clean the battery cooling vent? A vacuum or? I looked for steps online to remove it but couldn’t find anything. maybe you could make a video showing us??🤞

[@taamcyat]

Also your air filter and Dr Prius software on you phone with and odb-ll Bluetooth adapter to check and measure your individual 28 batter cells voltage and fluctuations

[@mitanim3519]

Excellent ,thank you ❤

[@MrSaippua5]

I would say the accessory belt replacement should be on top of the list.

[@jeromosan]

Why that ?

[@MrSaippua5]

@@jeromosan because there's no temperature gauge on the instrument cluster and when the belt goes bad the engine just overheats.

[@jeromosan]

@@MrSaippua5 Thanks for the info ! 👍

[@hugoquinonez00]

Think you for the tips

[@chitojegarcia8397]

exelente video amigo señor.... yo tengo una pregunta ...ami carro le prendieron las luces ..BRAKES.... ABS.... VSC... A K SE DEVERA ESO ... GRACIAS

[@AndySmith-gf4ij]

Cool,old car took on an another new aspect

[@Hesavage]

Thanks for this video!! My Prius has done 111000 miles. It’s a used car. Single owner. Garage kept mint condition, was at 98k when I bought it. According to you what sort of things I need to do with my Prius? I have got new engine oil, transmission oil, new tires, cabin and engine air filter. Any more suggestions considering my recent miles on it. Thank you again!! ❤

[@pfoxhound]

PCV, what about valve clearance adjustment?

[@Zelych]

I have completed 4 (1-3 and 8) out of 8 ... that would be fine 😀

[@ypaut]

Thanks!

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

You bet!

[@seeingisbelieving879]

If you are gonna flush the coolant on the engine side...i would also change the thermostat and water pump. If you do the job yourself, it isnt much more money. I got stranded in North Dakota on a roadtrip non of the shops had a water pump for the 2nd gen prius. Luckily a shop had a friend with 1 pump and had to wait 4 hours for it. So definitely just change them

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Great suggestions! Would also be a good idea to change out the water pump on the inverter side as well, that will leave you on the side of the road too. Easy to change and not too expensive even for oem toyota pump. I do mine every 100k

[@wabbit1699]

The inverter pump won't shut down the car immediately. It will force the car to run much warmer than normal, which can lead to a blown inverter and engine if you don't fix it immediately. If you're close enough to home (less than a mile), drive it home, then baby it to the shop provided your shop of choice is close enough, otherwise absolutely tow it.

[@reuven2010]

yikes, 2 pumps and a belt just for a pump that's so yukky

[@hermanoGabriel]

thanks for the tips! they are very good! Do you think they are maintenance that we ask to do ourselves or is it better to take them to a workshop? i recently cleaned the thotle, changed all the filters and spark plugs but i didn't know about all those others, my prius is 148,000, will i be late to change the transmission oil?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

You’re welcome :D Good question on the transmission as it’s often thought with a regular transmission to not change it if it’s never been done and over a 100k. This is not the case with these. It’s completely different and it’s never too late to do. And wouldn’t be bad to get on a 25k or 50k change interval depending on your preferences. I’m doing it myself and in 25k intervals. And about to do it again soon and may do a video on it. It’s super easy, no filter, only 4qts for complete transmission vs what 15 or more for a regular one. There a drain and fill plug even. As for workshop or yourself. Well that depends on your comfort level. I find everything I showed is mostly easy stuff except maybe the coolant and brake fluid could be more involved and tricky.

[@hermanoGabriel]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage thank you so much for your answer! I will subcribe to your channel to see any video about the prius and keep lerning from you! I will change the transmission fluid then! Thank you! God Bless you!!

[@michaelblacktree]

Replacing the transmission oil is super easy. It's not like a normal automatic transmission. There's no torque converter, and no filter. So the oil change is more like a manual gearbox. Just drain out the old stuff, and fill it till the oil starts coming out the fill port. On the other hand, replacing the engine coolant is tricky. There's a special procedure for that. If you don't do it right, there will be air bubbles in the cooling system, and the engine will overheat. It can be done DIY, but you have to know what you're doing.

[@RobertGolden1952]

Engine cooling & heater hoses?

[@jhuanyingwu4798]

What is the container next to the inverter? Mine shows below the level. Is it coolant or for the transmission? And which one should I buy to refill it?"

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

It's the coolant for the inverter. Takes the same coolant as the engine

[@waqarqadeer5217]

9th item : PCV valve 😊

[@southernhospitalitymotorsp8819]

That looks exactly like my prius i have one irl

[@airborneranger-ret]

Liked and subbed :)

[@gordonliu3972]

Thank you for the info! Liked and subscribed. This morning I started my 2006 Prius and got a 'PROBLEM' message on my display screen and the red triangle on the dash. The energy screen shows my battery as almost fully charged. I can use AAA to have it towed to a shop, but I'm concerned about being ripped off. Some people online recommended a Bluetooth gadget and downloading the drprius app to see the code and what is wrong with it. It was driving perfectly until today. Any ideas?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Hey! Thanks for dropping in. The Red Triangle could mean many things. I recommend getting a decent code scanner and get some details. Last time I got the triangle on the misses prius, went limp home mode, code said it was a high voltage line snap. Was quoted a battery replacement. I took the work on myself and it turned out in our case, a little sensing wire on one of the high voltage cells had corroded and broke. Was just a few bucks to fix. While I was inside the battery, I cleaned all the contacts and balanced all the cells with a special charger/discharger. It worked really well and lasted, never had a problem again.

[@gordonliu3972]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage That's great news! Glad it worked out well for you. I just downloaded dr prius and am researching what Bluetooth device to get. I still have an almost full charge on my battery, so I hope that means it's OK. I popped the hood and noticed a rodent, I suspect had created a nest. I removed it and his nut shells, lol. I can't believe the little creature must have been riding with me, because I drive it regularly. I'm now concerned it may have chewed through a wire or something. Hopefully the error code will point me in the right direction.

[@gordonliu3972]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage By code scanner, do you mean an OBD2 scanner to use with dr prius app, or something else?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Yeah it's very possible it's a chewed wire. Hopefully you'll find what's going on and it's an easy fix.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Somehow didnt see this message until now. But you need something that will get the P codes so you can see what its telling you whats wrong. Not all code scanners are created equal and may not get access to all the computers on the car to get detailed codes.

[@augustobalbuena4641]

Drain the Radiator then fill up whit Coolant?? Thanks

[@yggdrasil9039]

Any idea what could be causing a fuel leak? Never had a problem before, but after an inspection on my gen 2 2007 Prius the technician has loosened something and now fuel vaporises slowly just standing still parked. I have no idea where the fuel could be leaking or vaporising through.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

I'm not sure myself, maybe someone else can chime on

[@ScooterDoge]

Love this car BUT changing the 12v battery is a nightmare compared to any other vehicle.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Yeah it is

[@ScooterDoge]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage battery dead, trunk loaded with crap, and trying to feel for that latch is true pain.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Indeed, mine was totally dead and had to pull up the trunk to get to it from the inside, was a pain in the

[@stevepope5484]

Replace your PCV valve.

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Yeah that’s a good tip! I should have had that on the list as well.

[@RobertGolden1952]

Where is the 2007 Prius PCV valve?

[@buttonsangel3074]

YES - Definitely - Change it. At 150k-ish miles I thought the car started burning oil, but it was just a stuck PCV. How sweet to fix an "oil leak" for just a couple dollars.

[@defaultname8587]

I thought Gen2 does not have a PCV valve? If so, where is it?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

It indeed does have one, I have replaced it. It screws in right behind last spark plug on the right under the wiring harness

[@MrPhilTX]

Anything to help the gas tank regain its capacity? It takes 6 gallons to go to full from low fuel alert.

[@AdamD-v6t]

Gauge on gen2 isn’t accurate If your mpg is constant you can use the center display mpg / miles driven to know your range I get 50mpg, so my 10.1g tank should yield 500miles. But low fuel warning will pop on with 4 gallons in tank and 300miles traveled. I know I can go 200 more miles But….lotta info says not to run fuel low as it’ll shorten fuel pump life. So there’s that. My $0.02

[@coddingafter30]

How often do you do this changes?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

I was doing them at 5k. However with the low tension rings and starting to use oil, I'm going to do 2.5k kr 3k changes. Going to do some videos on flushes and see if I can stop or reverse oil usage

[@AnthonyGalations329]

How often should i replace the transmission oil ? Im at 246k. Its never been done. If the transmission shakes could that be the sparks plug area that need attention? I got them replaced a little over a year. How important is to change the invertor coolant flush? I dropped and lost the cap for coolant. What are your thoughts?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Howdy Anthony, several things could cause the shaking, it may be best to have a good hybrid tech look into that. As for oils and coolants. Everyone has their own opinions, but this is what I do with mine. Engine oil every 3k, transmission fluid every 25k, inverter and engine coolant every 50k and brake fluid every 3 years or 100k or sooner if tests bad.

[@AnthonyGalations329]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage Thanks.

[@i_kaybenz8647]

Hello I’m ikechukwu I would want to find out more about your Toyota Prius

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Hey ikechukwu! Welcome :D I’ll be doing more videos on it ;) anything particular you wanna know?

[@i_kaybenz8647]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage the condition of the vehicle and if you are selling

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Ah well I’d say the condition for the age and miles is very very good. But I’m not wanting to sell. However if I ever do I’ll let ya know

[@mohamadmirza31]

Should the battery or the computer be disconnected when replacing the spark plugs or not

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Personal preference, for safty yes. I did not when I did my plugs.

[@robertmencl9169]

No, no differemt from a regular car there.

[@alext8828]

I can't find an honest Toyota dealer in Nassau County NY on Long Island. Does anyone know of a good shop that works on the get w2 Prius???

[@dancindebs1]

Toyota told me transmission’s fluid never needs changing. Also said I should only expect 125,990 miles. Told DEALER if I can’t get 350,000 minimum I’ll never buy another Toyota. I changed transmission fluid. Damage already done. I asked at 60,000. 80,000 then did it at 115,000. Hie dare Toyota just try to sell cars.

[@vinasr123]

You forgot the most important, change the oil

[@maestro-zq8gu]

Or better yet just take it to a licensed dealer. They still work on these vehicles.

[@winniethexi2184]

Why are you so cringe?

[@foreclosureofadreamurbex5420]

PCV! Change it!!!

[@vicinvesta8349]

"animal hair, dog hair".... Hmm...

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

It’s very common they get plugged with with animal hair

[@saganandroid4175]

Needs details. Too superficial.

[@trappdaddy6920]

Hey buddy do you think 5,500 for a gen 2 2005 is worth it 170,000 miles on it it’s clean from the inside I test drovw it yesterday

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Maybe, seems on the high side. But depending if in really good shape and has all its maintenance history. Take to shop or dealer and have them check it over.

[@trappdaddy6920]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage yeah I though so a little too expensive

[@trappdaddy6920]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage I appreciate your response I’m thinking about it I bought a 2010 Prius for 5,000 2 years ago but the head gasket went out and I’m not about to pay 3000 for that job

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

You're welcome:D that sucks about the head gasket and that sure is expensive fix. I dropped 2800 bucks on my 07, but that has 300k on it when I got it. But if everything else is in great shape on the 2010, maybe 3k as you never know what you're going to get with a used car and could end up with another costly repair after dropping 5k, that would really suck

[@edmondov]

How often do you change oil?

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

I do every 5k with full synthetic

[@justanotherday1205]

@@MangieRaccoonsGarage but the engine isn't running those 5k miles

[@MangieRaccoonsGarage]

Yeah mostly only when you’re sitting at a stop light and if you’re really easy on the gas, maybe a few feet to a block. That may add up to a few miles but nothing significant. I’ve actually considered going above and beyond what Toyota says to do and do it every 3k. Now for the misses Volt this totally applies. I did hers recently after a year and 10k miles. But her drive uses almost exclusively electric. Of them 10k miles, maybe 1k was with the engine running. I probably didn’t need to change it.