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 on a full tank. On rare driving circumstances, I was able to bump that number to beyond 60 MPG. Ever…
Tag: maintenance
DIY: How to Clean Your 3rd Gen Prius High Voltage (HV) Hybrid Battery Cooling Fan
The hybrid battery cooling fan impeller needs to be cleaned from time to time, and a trip to the dealership can cost you $400. Do it yourself for $0.
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 the inverter coolant drain plug. Toyota recommends inspecting and topping off the inverter coolant reservoir every 5,000 miles and a…
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 the inverter coolant drain plug. Toyota recommends inspecting and topping off the inverter coolant reservoir every 5,000 miles and a…
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 the ground. To ensure your car is leveled, use a leveling tool and place it on the side skirt with…
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 ~ 3,000 miles, the PCV valve may be clogged with carbon build-up and may need to be changed. It’s definitely a…
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 plugs replacement was suppose to be on this list, but I replaced them myself and saved ~$300. Here’s the list…