If there is one thing I can say about our Prius it would be " Almost Bulletproof". These cars can go the distance and on very little fuel, they have a decent amount of room for the size, not very fun to drive but they get the job done almost better than any other vehicle out there and on a small budget. We would not have driven our Prius around the country if we knew that it was going to blow up if we never changed the oil or overheat and break down in the middle of whose-ville. We knew the entire time that the Prius would not give us any problems, and it never did.
Our Prius worked perfectly because we did the proper maintenance before we left on our big adventure. This included new tires, an oil change with a oil filter replacement, new cabin and engine air filter, top off of all fluids, and proper inflation of tires. Many wondered what problems we had in all 14,000 miles we drove that summer, the truth is we only had a tire puncture which we fixed with a tire plug. Below are some of the products I recommend using if you plan to do an adventure like ours or even if you are just staying local and want to keep up with your maintenance.
Click on the images to purchase from Amazon!
1. Tires -
All tires are different but we highly recommend hybrid tires that energy saving and All Season. We recommend paying for the warranty just incase you do encounter a problem while driving. It allows you to get a brand new tire even if the wear is abnormal.
2. Engine Oil-
Everyone has their own preference for engine oil and it is hard to say if Synthetic oil is best overall. We do know, however, stick to one type of oil whether it's just synthetic or a synthetic blend or even straight oil. Our Prius uses 5w-30 weight and we try to use a synthetic blend as it tends to extend time in between oil changes by a few thousand miles. It is also advised you change the oil every six months or 5,000 miles. On our 2016 cross country adventure we only changed the oil before and after our trip but we did make sure there was always oil in the engine above the half fill mark as you want it to be. Costco sells cases of Mobil 1 engine oil for a good wholesale price or you can purchase some from our Amazon link on the right.
3. Air Filters-
The prius has two air filters, one for the Cabin and the other for the engine. They clean the air needed to breathe. Engine air filters are important because they keep dust and debris out of the engine and keep it clean. Sensors in the intake can become clogged if they aren't changed regularly. We prefer to use the OEM as it does the best job of catching debris. As for the other filters, they can allow more air into the engine and you'll get better performance but you'll risk having those intake sensors getting clogged more often.
When it comes to cabin air filters we recommend the Fram Cabin air filter as it does a good job of keeping the air clean, just be sure to clean it out often so your a/c blower doesn't become clogged.
4. Coolant -
The Prius uses a special type of coolant that you should only get from Toyota. It can be identified as the red/pink coolant. This coolant is specifically designed for the hybrid engine. Using other kinds of coolants can damage the engine and its components. Our Amazon link is here to the right. It does take some time to change out the coolant if you plan to do the job yourself. Some tools to help you do the job are linked to the right as well. A good reference for doing a coolant flush on your own can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cprCC3wpI-E
10mm wrench & Socket
2 Ft plastic tubing
Screw Driver
Catchpan
Jack & Jack stands
5. Brakes -
Brakes are pretty straight forward when it comes to replacing brake pads and rotors but if you have a 2nd generation prius you will need to get some shoes and drums. It is advised to replace both sides at the same time for even and proper wear. Should you need to resurface the rotors, we recommend buying new ones as they aren't very expensive and you can scrap the old ones for a little bit of money. Click the links below for a DIY video of how to replace your brakes.
Front Brakes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWOM_NEABZc
Rear Brakes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91Xb6WvCuCE
6. Windshield Wiper Blades
Wiper blades are essential when it comes to driving in the elements. Rain and snow become a great hazard, especially when it comes to driving. We highly recommend these Silicone wiper blades as they last years without cracking like your typical wiper blades do. You won't find them in any stores so it would be wise to purchase them online.
