Maintenence for 110°F+ tempratures?

You can find a used refurb combo meter on Ebay for about $150 diy, otherwise add labor.

As far as your parking situation, for long term durability it should be garaged not just covered. In your situation covering it would still allow it to heat soak, can't say how much that will help, but it will still get pretty hot.

 

The combo meter had a 9 year extended warranty. Maybe Toyota will still honor it if you can and ask corporate for assistance

 

They sell reflective car covers, or white ones made of Tyvek. If inconvenient even sunshades help keep the cabin cooler.

 

Welcome to PriusChat! Do your Prius a favour and invest in some sunshades (there are some splendid shades available in Ye Olde PriusChatte Shoppe which will not only keep the insides of your Prius in nice shape, but in particular the TractionBattery (under the rear-seat) is most sensitive about getting cooked by long periods left in the sun! Good luck!

 

Sorry, we posted around the same time! Great minds etc etc…

 

My 2005 420,000 miles commutes between LA and Fresno. Like you I know that my cordless tool batteries will fail if charged in the sun ️ so I've put some thought into this. I use Trees, parking garages and I always use my A/C so that there is a supply of 70 F air flowing over the battery while it is charging. I also am not afraid to sit in A/C parked while I return text and calls checking that the traction battery is not full when I shut it off ( a full Hot battery the electrons are quite destructive). I'll even leave my Labrador in the AC while I make a stop setting the parking break, taking the key with me and letting him secure the vehicle rather than expose his paws to the pavement in "Hotsville". I bought two cans of white Plastic dip and sprayed the top that was $15 and got a reflective screen for those time when a tree isn't around.
What I've learned is you don't want to park your Prius on top of 3000 foot mountain in the sun let it get hot and then drive down without letting the AC condition the air that will be flowing over the battery as it charges.


iPhone ?

 

Yes buy a weather tech sun shade immed. It's insulated and form fitted to the windshield. If I leave the car for more 5 mins the shade goes up. The g2 has a huge windshield. Extend the fabric package rack in the back hatch that will keep the sun from beating down on the hybrid battery area.
If you can afford it get a real good tint dark as possible.

As far as maintenance get the inverter coolant changed and the engine coolant changed. Engine coolant full change is difficult but what's easy is just dump the radiator only and then fill it back up. You do that twice and it really helps. Buy the engine coolant at the dealer. Inverter plant and radiator take the same type coolant Toyota Long Life Coolant. To do both is about 4 gallons.

 

While I don't necessarily disagree with you, it'd be nice to have data to support that statement. Otherwise it sounds like what my dealer says to get me to buy extended warranties. What I do know is, 110 degrees is nothing special compared to summer temperatures in other regions of the world where the Prius is sold. I'd suggest doing nothing and drive the car as you normally would any other car. Take into consideration that the prius is one of the most reliable cars in the world despite having more "battery and internal electronics" than a conventional car.

 

Yes do nothing

 

There's no special maintenance for the car, but the battery will age more quickly in hot temperatures. Definitely use a sun shade in the windshield, and if you can, I would get the windows tinted, most important is the top trunk window.

If used regularly in such hot temperatures, I would personally go up in viscosity of oil on the next oil change to keep wear down over the summer. A synthetic 0W-40 or 5W-40 is the ideal, but 10W-40 would be fine. Then I'd switch back to 5W-30/0W-30 (this is what's called for in the user manual for the US) on the next change for the winter

 

If you study up on it you will learn, 3M (Minnesota Mining Matters) can provide you with a tint that reflects infrared (heat) and doesn't interfere with cellular or GPS etc.


iPhone ?

 

What do you think I need to learn?

 

I meant no disrespect, IR reflectivity doesn't mean a dark tint. However many older IR films also reflected microwave (cellular) signals. Thought I would refer you to 3M because I know their product the best.


iPhone ?

 

The battery is going to do whatever it is going to do, and after covering the car there isn't much more that you can do for it. I would be more concerned about servicing the engine coolant and inverter/transaxle coolant (both should have been changed if your car has more than 100K miles, and only the correct Toyota Super Long Life Coolant should be utilized), replacing the serpentine drive belt, and ensuring the tires are in excellent condition. Make sure the tire air pressure in the morning is at least at the 35/33 psi spec, and you can use more air pressure to promote even tire wear (I use 44/42 psi; however, do not exceed 44 psi or whatever maximum air pressure is indicated on the tire sidewall.) The tire pressure will increase as the tires heat up after driving, do not be concerned about that. Tire tread depth is typically 10/32" when new. Minimum legal tread depth is 2/32". If it is raining, minimum safe tread depth is 4/32".

You will find that the windshield wiper rubber blades will deteriorate faster with high temperatures, so replace them as needed. Also, when the Prius is READY, look at the inverter coolant reservoir for fluid turbulence which shows the inverter coolant pump is functional. If you do not see this, then you will need to replace that pump.

The permanent solution is to replace the combination meter ECU.

 

I agree with window tint.
And Heatshield sun shades for the front & back windows.

I am enroute to that wonderful cool paradise of Phoenix, Arizona. I think I will change the oil and put in 5W-30.