As the 2012 Prius was approaching its 120k mile milestone, I noticed a dip in fuel efficiency among other issues (cold start rattle, struggling acceleration, rough ride). In its glory days, I was getting and average of mid 50's MPG…
Repainted OGS Intelligent Position Switch With Custom Logo
I have painted my OGS Intelligent Position Switch to satin black a while back due to fading of the original paint job. I am repainting the OGS switch again, this time color matched to the exterior of the Prius, Winter…
DIY: How to Wash and Clean Your Engine Bay
Has it been a decade since you've last cleaned your engine bay? Does it look like the engine bay on my 2012 Prius? I've never washed it since it left the lot at Cabe Toyota of Long Beach, CA back…
Pet Project: G's Taillights With EDM OEM Style Rear Fog Lamp
I had a pair of authentic UKDM Prius G's taillights with integrated rear fog lamp supplied by LS Japan and ordered through Tenso around late 2013'ish (or 2014? I cannot remember), but never gotten around to install it and ended…
DIY: How to Clean Your 3rd Gen Prius High Voltage (HV) Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan
After visiting my local Toyota service center for the Prius' 120,000 miles check up, I was handed a costly laundry list of recommended maintenance. The easiest but most expensive service on the list is "Hybrid cooling fan service" at the…
DIY: How to Exchange the Engine Coolant On Your 3rd Gen Prius
Before you proceed with this maintenance procedure, make sure you have access to a flat and level surface area. You will also need two jack stands to support the front end of your car so you can gain access to…
DIY: How to Exchange the Inverter Coolant On Your 3rd Gen Prius
Before you proceed with this maintenance procedure, make sure you have access to a flat and level surface area. You will also need two jack stands to support the front end of your car so you can gain access to…
DIY: How to Exchange the Automatic Transmission Fluid WS (World Standard) on Your 3rd Gen Prius
Before you proceed with this maintenance procedure, make sure you have access to a flat and level surface area. You will also need four jack stands to lift your entire car up so that it is level and parallel to…
DIY: How to Replace the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve (PCV) On Your 3rd Gen Prius
If your 3rd gen Prius is approaching or passed the 100,000 mile mark, it's time to replace the positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV valve). If your Prius is consuming noticeable amount of motor oil, say 1 quart every 2,000 ~…
DIY: How to De-haze Your Faded Headlights
If your car has plastic headlights and you do any type of constant long distance commute in a year, chances are, your headlights will become hazed and foggy. This occur because the headlights are being blasted against the atmosphere as…
120k Mile Recommended Services For The 3rd Gen Toyota Prius
So I just took my 2012 Prius Four into the local dealer to perform the routine major service (done every 30,000 miles) as it was approaching 120,000 miles and I received a recommended laundry list of pricey maintenance work. Spark…
DIY: How to Replace the Spark Plugs On a 3rd Gen Prius (2010-2015)
My 2012 Prius Four has reached 120,000 miles and symptoms of rough idle, cold start rattle, decreasing fuel efficiency and sporadic loss in power (especially during acceleration), has become almost a once-a-week routine. I figured it is time to replace…
Xentec HID Lights Finally Failed - Xenon Depot Extreme H11 LED Review
So after close to five years of service, my driver side Xentec HID headlight kit has begun to intermittently fail. The bulbs still work perfectly, no clouding or purple tinge, to my surprise. The ballast sporadically emits a high pitch buzzing sound…
Joined the 100,000 Mile Club!
As of two Saturdays ago on our way down to SeaWorld San Diego, April 15, my 2012 Prius Four has joined the 100,000 mile club! I put in approximately 50,000 miles in just two years! I will be keeping my…
DIY: How to Change the Tail Lights On a 3rd Gen Prius (JDM Valenti LED tail lights)
Here's a new DIY guide on how to remove and swap out the tail lights on your 3rd generation 2010-2015 Toyota Prius. For this guide, I decided to swap out the OEM "double hockey" 2012 Prius tail lights for a…
