What is the service interval for the hybrid coolant and is this something the home garage mechanic can do himself???

 

This is from the manual:


Engine/Inverter Coolant
When inspecting, visually check
the engine/inverter coolant level
on the see-through reservoir. Add coolant as necessary. When replac- ing, drain and flush the cooling system and refill with coolant. Always use Genuine Toyota Super Long-Life Coolant or similar high-quality non- silicate, non-amine, non-borate ethyl- ene-glycol coolant with long-life hybrid organic acid technology (i.e.,
a combination of low phosphates and organic acids). A qualified technician should perform these operations. Please refer to the important safety precautions on the inside front cover of this booket.
Check the radiator and condenser for blockage by leaves, dirt or insects and clean if necessary. Also check the hose connections for corrosion and condition of installation.
Note: Initial replacement of engine coolant is at 120 months/100,000 miles. Replace every 60 months/ 50,000 miles thereafter. Initial replacement of inverter coolant
is at 180 months/150,000 miles. Replace every 60 months/50,000 miles thereafter.

 

The engine coolant change seem easy, the only thing is putting it into inspection mode, where you can keep the engine running continuously, and the gas pedal works like a normal car.

Coolant.pdf


The inverter coolant is a little harder as any air in the system will throw a check engine code so the dealer computer has to be used.

Coolant(for Inverter).pdf

 

Thanks for the info but I take with the owners manual and the deal tells me with a large group of salt. Ever since they told me my hybrid transmission was a sealed unit and the fluid could not be changed I discovered that was absolutely not true and that really really really got me upset.

 

The Toyota Long Life Coolant is well known for actually lasting as long as Toyota claims and not deteriorating. there are many threads about this at Bobistheoilguy and Prius Chat and Toyota Nation

 

For those who might forget - remember to do your 100,000 mile coolant service (or sooner if you don't drive a ton of miles).

I am buying this car now because my 2004 Explorer had a coolant leak in the radiator. That, among other problems had me just get rid of the thing and get a dependable hybrid rather than keep servicing the engine.

I'm told that ethylene glycol and other coolant formulations can acidify and damage radiators. After numerous heating/cooling intervals, electrolytic effects, and more, it just happens. I had to stupidly learn the hard way, so yeah - flush it at the appropriate time or sooner.

The silver lining is that it led me to this car, so that was nice.