CARspec is often asked what preventative maintenance their Toyota Prius needs at any given time. Here’s what we recommend at CARspec, taking into account Minnesota road conditions, weather and other severe service requirements we see here in the cold north. An example of what we’d recommend at a given mileage is at the bottom as well. Enjoy!
2001-2003 Toyota Prius Maintenance Guide
- Every 5,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection
- Every 15,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed
- Every 30,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter, replace engine and hybrid system coolant
- Every 60,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter, replace engine and hybrid system coolant, replace hybrid transaxle fluid
- Every 120,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter, replace engine and hybrid system coolant, replace hybrid transaxle fluid, replace spark plugs
2004-2009 Toyota Prius Maintenance Guide
- Every 5,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection
- Every 15,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed
- Every 30,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter
- Every 100,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, replace engine and hybrid system coolant
- Every 120,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter, replace spark plugs.
- Every 50,000 miles after 100,000 miles – oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, replace engine and hybrid system coolant
2010+ Toyota Prius (C, V, Plug-In included) Maintenance Guide
For the 2010+ models that require synthetic 0w20 engine oil but specify a 10,000 mile oil change interval, CARspec continues to recommend a 5,000 mile oil change interval (severe service interval) due to the cold weather. The maintenance guide reflects this but is not required as per Toyota. CARspec is happy to perform 5,000 mile service intervals without an oil change, but have found a more frequent interval beneficial to overall longevity. Also note that CARspec recommends an earlier hybrid system coolant change due to cold weather severe service (100,000 vs 150,000 miles).
- Every 5,000 miles – oil change (synthetic), tire rotation, brake inspection
- Every 15,000 miles – oil change (synthetic), tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed
- Every 30,000 miles – oil change (synthetic), tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter
- Every 100,000 miles – oil change (synthetic), tire rotation, brake inspection, replace engine and hybrid system coolant
- Every 120,000 miles – oil change (synthetic), tire rotation, major inspection, inspect and replace cabin air filter as needed, replace engine air filter, replace spark plugs.
- Every 50,000 miles after 100,000 miles – oil change (synthetic), tire rotation, brake inspection, replace engine and hybrid system coolant
For 2004+ Prius models CARSpec also recommends the hybrid transaxle fluid be changed at 100,000 miles. This is not required maintenance per Toyota but recommended to help ensure proper operation.
Using the above a guide, a guest with a 2011 Prius at 92,000 miles would be due for a 30,000 mile service, a guest with a 2003 Prius at 243,000 mile would be due for a 120,000 mile service, and a guest with a 2009 Prius at 42,000 miles would be due for a 5,000 mile service.
As Minnesota’s premier independent Toyota, Lexus and Scion Specialist we hope this helps any owner understand their Prius’s maintenance needs!
