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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg Prius longevity proven mile after mile. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=294181)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Prius-II_on_the_Gulf_of_Saint_Lawrence.jpgWayne Gerdes - CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) - Jan 8, 2011

Jesse Rudavsky’s Massachusetts based 2005 Prius-II on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence

An update…

Just over a year ago, his 2005 Prius hit 200k miles. Today, it has breached the 252k mile mark with the same engine batteries and driveline. In doing so, his Prius has been the most reliable car he has ever owned. Over 252k miles and not even a brake job. No suspension work, no exhaust work. Nothing, zero, zilch, nada, rien!!!! Nothing but basic oil and air filter and tranny fluid changes.

According to Jesse, the car still rides and drives like the day he purchased it in February of 08 with 84,354 miles and still easily hits the EPA under normal driving conditions.

He has taken many road trips of course including a trip to South Dakota and Wyoming in the fall of 2008, Alabama last year plus several trips to Florida and Wisconsin. The car has also seen the top of Mount Mitchell in NC at 6,684 feet. He hopes to get back to Alaska as he did in 2005 with his gen one Prius sometime in the near future.

Jesse’s only complaint is the gas tank bladder which from a blinking indicator to first click can only hold 8 gallons in winter temps.

There is no indication of battery degradation and he fully expects to easily surpass the 349,531 miles he placed on his gen one Prius. That vehicle was purchased with approximately 84,000 miles so between his first and second gen Prius’, over 433,000 miles have been accumulated which is certainly noteworthy!

Finally, he strongly recommends the technology.

Other vehicle’s in Jesse’s immediate family fleet include his 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, his girlfriends 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid and his father’s 2005 HCH with a CVT. A very well rounded hybrid fleet indeed!

Stories like this are what changed my opinion on hybrids.

For those of us keeping score at home, that's 115 miles a day every day since 2005 (from all owners).

Or, 153 miles/day everyday since Jesse took ownership.

Some good words on a Gen1 from Consumer Reports:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/february/cars/toyota-prius/overview/index.htm

Our 2006 hit 50,000 miles-
ZERO problems-just oil changes.
I wonder when I should change out the "transmission fluid"? Someone must have posted a DIY how to on it?
Charlie

50k is a good time to do it IMO. I did mine about then and the fluid came out pretty dark & ugly. I just did the second change on my wife's car at about 100k and the fluid looks better than the first interval.

It's a pretty easy job. There are certainly DIYs around if you search. One thing you do need: a funnel and several feet of 1/2" or larger hose for filling. I can tell you from experience that it takes forever to fill through hose that is too narrow.

"Father time" that will likely determine the life of the Prius battery back and not the odometer.:flag:

...Someone must have posted a DIY how to on it?
Charlie

A few bit's of info:

* Torque spec for fill and drain bolts is 29 foot pound. Both are round cap and require a 3/8" socket drive. I believe both bolts are visible behind the maintenance flap, in vicinity of engine oil filter and drain bolt.

* Capacity at refill for second gen is 3.8 liter, I think (get 4)

* Always take the fill bolt out first, just in case there's a problem breaking it loose. Replace the washers (available from Toyota dealer)

* Level check: With car on level ground, level should be 0-5 mm below lip of fill hole.

I was researching a rear differential fluid change, and several people recommended getting a hand pump hose for doing the transfer. You might try that for transaxle. Get one that's not too expensive, but effective, and label it as Prius transaxle, don't use for anything else.

I'm likely overzealous, but like to change transaxle fluid every couple of years, which works out to around 36,000 km's with our usage.

Second Gen drain and fill bolt locations:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/663/Prius_-_2nd_gen_-_transaxle_fill_drain_bolts.jpg

Third Gen Prius is similar, except refill capacity 3.3 liter (again, get 4). Also, level check is spec'd as 0-10mm below fill hole lip. In both gen's I'd just fill till it starts to come back out. Here's 3rd Gen drain and fill bolt locations:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/663/Prius_-_3rd_gen_-_transaxle_fill_drain_bolts.jpg

With both illustrations it's pretty hard to visualize, get your bearings, but I suspect both are accesable through that maintenance flap. Not sure though ;)

Mendel;
I wonder if you can add the new oil thru the dip stick with the Prius? Come to think of it there is no dip stick? Does it have a dip stick? H

No dip stick

Brick, Mendel
Thanks for the info.

I just checked my owners manual and the service supplement.
I didn't notice ANY actual change interval for the trans fluid looking through all 120,000 miles of intervals?It just says to "inspect fluid"??
What am I missing-surely it isn't supposed to last 120,000 miles???
Needless to say it didn't give any spec for the fluid. Is it transmission fluid? Super secret Toyota fluid?

Thanks
Charlie

Brick, Mendel
Thanks for the info.

I just checked my owners manual and the service supplement.
I didn't notice ANY actual change interval for the trans fluid looking through all 120,000 miles of intervals?It just says to "inspect fluid"??
What am I missing-surely it isn't supposed to last 120,000 miles???
Needless to say it didn't give any spec for the fluid. Is it transmission fluid? Super secret Toyota fluid?

Thanks
Charlie

It's described as "Toyota ATF WS" by an owner, in posting #2 of this thread. I can't find a spec in the Repair Manual (though it might be lurking somewhere in there...). Toyota is not the friendliest bunch when it comes to maintenance documentation...

Just noticed, from that thread: the fill bolt may be hex head, needing either 24mm or 15/16" socket, ie: not round with a 3/8" socket.

Here's another interesting how-to:

http://techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/maint100k/part6.html

And this page is a compendium of fluids, including Toyota ATF WS (Automatic Transmission Fluid - World Standard):

http://www.artsautomotive.com/about/78-genuine-fluids

Indeed, Toyota says that you don't have to change the transaxle fluid. The last time I walked into a dealer and asked for four quarts, the parts guy looked at me like I had just asked him for his wife's phone number. I walked out and ordered online when he subsequently tried to charge me $16 per quart. (Don't pay more than $7 or $8.)

Common sense says otherwise. Lubricants pick up particulates and break down due to sheer and temperature in any application. Lab testing of used fluid by curious Prius owners have confirmed it. Transaxle failures are rare, but they have happened. $40 plus an hour of my time every ~50k or so is good practice and cheap insurance IMO.

Over at Prius Chat they are recommending at least with the 2010 changing it out at 30K intervals. 50K is in my opinion the high side of when you should change out the fluid.

I changed out my Volvo 960's life time transmission fluid at eight years and 66K miles. It was a nasty chocolate brown and smelled really bad. The transmission holds 10 quarts and since then I drain the pan that holds 2.25 quarts every year and refill with fresh Amsoil.

I'm planning with my 2010 Prius to change out the transmission fluid every 30K.

The only thing that seems to be missing from the new ride is the various bumper stickers... it just isn't the same ;).

I have fallen for this fuel sipper!! I currently drive a 2006 aveo sv and I will continue to until it won't move. However my next commuter might just be a gen2 Prius... I was worried about buying a hybrid and dumping a ton of miles on it but more and more I hear these stories and have changed my mind!! The savings in fuel and Toyota reliability is a good peace of mind. That said I have thought of the HCH as well. Only issue is my wife would like the next car I get to be an auto. I will miss having a manual but look forward to the day when I look out the window and see a sweet fuel sipping machine that offers nice ride, options and low cost of ownership.:) Till then my little orange jelly bean will do.:)

After some time not visiting CMPG, and here is another Prius bug/feature of long standing for me to blather about.

The fluid in this gearbox does less 'things' than in a conventional automatic transmission. But it does transfer heat, and lubricate gears and balls, and transfers any little metal bits to the sump where you want them to sleep.

Can it do so forever? Any number of official Toyota shops will tell you so. Analyses of drained fluid tell a different tale.

So yes, please, consider changing the sauce from time to time. Yer mechanic finds that amusing? Consider changing mechanics.

DAS

Hi All:

Jesse’s Prius punches through 260K!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Jesse_-_Prius_at_260K.jpg

Wayne

Hi all Jesse here from MA. Just smashed 260k miles the other nite. So far so good. Same batteries and no problems. No unscheduled maintenance what so ever. Looking foward to hitting 300k.

Those cars are super reliable! Definately see one in my future! Maybe when your done with yours I can run it another 300k :D

Those cars are super reliable! Definately see one in my future! Maybe when your done with yours I can run it another 300k :D

No, he keeps his cars until some M******* decides to help him cube it.

:thumbs_up: Well i guess my search continues for a future hybrid :p

Stories like this make me feel warm and fuzzy about the future of my Prius. :)

Oh wait, this was the guy who had the 300k+ gen 1 prius right? I still don't get how the heck someone can drive 52k miles in one year. That's about 1,000 miles a week isn't it? Either way that's awesome. Can't wait to hear how it's doing a year from now when it's at 300k.

That is alot of driving for sure! I can see it though cause i put on 750-800/week. I just think it's sweet being that reliable of a product into the second generation and hopefully the third as well. Wonder who has the most miles on Gen 3 on this site?

I have a 2009 Prius that only has about 40k on it...I feel like it is brand new! Good to know I'll have it for next to forever. ;-)

I have a 2006 Prius with 14 K on it. I'll have it forever. H

Hi All:

Jesse’s Prius-II reached yet another milestone this morning…

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Jesse_Prius-II_275_000_miles.jpg
I think it is self explanatory ;)

Wayne

He's getting closer the the big 3. Will that be in the bag in about 2 months?

Hi All:

Here is his latest. Anyone for 300K by Christmas?

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/280000_MIle_Prius.jpg

Wayne

My P3 is 26 months old and I just passed 20 miles. I feel like a such a slouch with people putting up numbers like that. :p

My P3 is 26 months old and I just passed 20 miles. I feel like a such a slouch with people putting up numbers like that. :p

The best hypermiling strategy is of course not driving at all...

It's good to know the Prius can really eat the miles, but this guy has burned more gas than I plan to in a lifetime.

How many miles are on it now jesse? ? Any issues? Been a while since update.

Speaking of an update, how's that little Aveo doing?

This may be old news for some. There is a 2009 Prius (not mine) accumulating mileage fast:

http://priuschat.com/forums/attachments/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/33093d1320637143-299-999-mile-club-431k.jpg

Source post:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/79235-299-999-mile-club-44.html#post1413974


It's over 450K miles now according to this post:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/79235-299-999-mile-club-53.html#post1439283

Finally replaced front brake pads at 294,115 miles about two weeks ago. Original rotors still good. Somewhere around 295k tonite. 2005 FEH nearing 221k. So far so good same batteries on both vehicles.

Congratulations! That is some car! Is it a Taxi? H

No it is a personal car.

Aveo resting in the drive right now. Laid off for a bit. It has a trailer attached to it for hauling my fish trap portable fish house. I am going to look into a hitch hauler cargo carrier but not sure I will have alot of clearance. would be better then towing a trailer for sure. I get inspired reading this prius posting because I hope to own one when my car is done. I reliability and performance speaks for themselves. What a great car and would be perfect for me and my family. I can only hope to get 250k plus on my aveo. It is rusting under the front of the hood now I see. bubbling a bit. Good luck sorry to hyjack post.:)

Hi All:

He just breached 299,000 miles. Next week is the big 300K milestone!

2005 Prius II

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/299000_miles.jpg
299,000 miles and counting.

Wayne