Maintenance Log (Updated 10/15/05)

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General Maintenance:

Once a year (in the spring) I use Mother's brand glaze and follow-up with Nu Finish polish/wax. As recommended by the Nu Finish bottle, I try to apply a second coat a month later, and for personal satisfaction I also try and do a coat just before winter weather hits.

I always wash my car by hand whenever it's possible to do so.

I check my tire pressure once every two weeks or so, or whenever there is a big temperature change. After reading on john1701a's page about a battery-powered tire inflator available at Wal-Mart, I picked one up. It works very nicely, and allows for more accurate cold tire pressure readings since I don't have to warm the tires up driving to a gas station

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Clearshield Protection

Shortly after getting my Prius, I had Clearshield applied to the hood. There are several different brand names for this "Clear Bra" for cars, but most are made from the same 3M material called ScotchCal.

I had Clearshield installed professionally at P&L Automotive. This shop was recommended by my Toyota Prius technician. It cost about the same as it would to purchase the official Toyota Prius bra. I was pretty happy with the service, although I wish they had gone up a little higher on the hood (I got a chip about an inch or two above where the material stops a few months after having it installed.) They recommended against placing the film on anything except the hood, and they did a nice custom cut with the material wrapping around and under the edges to ensure the best protection. Here's a photo of the border of the material on my car. You can barely see it!

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Maintenance Visits:

Toyota includes the first 5 routine maintenance visits under warranty. Click the links below for details on a given maintenance visit:

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I have had the following issues/problems with my Prius:

Mechanical: None

Electrical:  

  • It's not a problem per se, but I have received notice of a "Special Service Campaign" to re-seal the positive terminals on the hybrid battery to prevent possible leakage in certain humid conditions. This service was completed during my 30-month maintenance visit.

Other:

  • About a month after getting it, some road debris chipped my windshield. Had it filled. Problem solved.
  • Also related to road debris, there have been a few small chips in the paint caused by road construction debris. Filled them in with Toyota touch-up paint. Problem solved.
  • Wheel locks began to rust. Were replaced under warranty at 12 month service. Replacement set began to rust as well, and another replacement set was ordered at my 24 month service.
  • Discovered possible corrosion on 3 wheel rims near the hubs before 12 month service. Wheels were recoated under warranty. Click here for more details. 
  • After the wheels were recoated last year, the center caps on the wheels were loose. They became loose to the point of rattling, and a replacement set of caps was ordered at my 24-month service. The replacement set fits wonderfully.
  • The car has a randomly occurring rattle in the dash. I thought I had successfully traced it to two slightly loose screws holding the speedometer digital display, but it has once again returned, though it is a bit less annoying than it was previously. 
  • Two tire repairs due to nail punctures (one of which was covered under the Prius' 3-year road hazard warranty.)

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 ©2005 mr_n64@winternet.com
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