Toyota Prius Engine Rattle: Causes + How to Fix

Experiencing an engine rattle in your Toyota Prius can be quite concerning, but fear not! This is a common issue faced by many Prius owners, and understanding the possible causes can have you on your way to a smooth-running engine in no time. In this article, we’ll explore the most common reasons a Toyota Prius … Read more

Toyota Prius Transmission Slipping: Causes + How to Fix

Are you worried about your Toyota Prius’s transmission slipping? Transmission slipping can be a serious problem, potentially leaving your Prius inoperable if not addressed promptly. It’s crucial to understand what’s causing this issue and how to diagnose and fix it before it escalates into lasting damage. Various factors can contribute to your car’s transmission slipping, … Read more

Toyota Prius: Won’t Start When Cold → Diagnosis

Extreme weather can be very difficult on your Toyota Prius.  If there is an issue it often make itself known when conditions are at their worst.  When it’s extremely hot. it’s the cooling system that is put to the test.  In the winter, the vehicle won’t start when it is cold.   There are a … Read more

Toyota Prius:  Bad Timing Belt or Chain Symptoms

A bad timing belt or timing chain can be a serious issue.  If it jumps a tooth or breaks entirely, it can lead to permanent engine damage.  Knowing the symptoms of a bad timing belt or chain is vital so this doesn’t happen to your Toyota Prius. Timing belts are made out of rubber and … Read more

Toyota Prius: Key Stuck in Ignition → Diagnosis

There are a few easy to fix reasons why your Toyota Prius’s key might get stuck in the ignition.  It’s often easy to unstick the key.  Whatever you do, don’t start trying to rip it out of the ignition.  That can cause bigger problems. This article is written with the assumption that your key is … Read more

Toyota Prius Steering Wheel Hard to Turn: Common Causes

If your Toyota Prius’s steering wheel is hard to turn, it’s almost always going to be caused by an issue with the power steering system.  But there can be other causes as well. Your car’s power steering system is responsible for taking energy from the engine, converting it to hydraulic pressure, and using that pressure … Read more

Toyota Prius:  Blue Smoke → Causes & Diagnosis

  A very common problem that affects all vehicles (including the Toyota Prius) is blue smoke coming from the exhaust.  Reasons for blue exhaust smoke include bad valve seals, valve train wear in general, the PCV valve, burning transmission fluid and more. Blue smoke indicates that your Prius’s engine is burning oil.  The question is … Read more

Toyota Prius Whining Sound: Identification + How to Fix

If your Toyota Prius is experiencing a whining noise, determining where and when the noise is happening is coming from is key to diagnosing and tracking down the cause.   With that in mind, this page is divided by when you hear the whining noise and common causes under those conditions. Is the whining noise … Read more

Toyota Prius Airbag Light:  Meaning + How to Fix

When you start your Toyota Prius, the airbag module runs a self-diagnostic check on all its major systems.  If any of these checks fail, you will see an airbag warning light on the dashboard.   Depending on the model year and what country you happen to be in, you may get something along the lines of … Read more

Toyota Prius Smells Like Gas Diagnosis (5 Main Causes)

If your Toyota Prius smells like gas, it may indicate a serious issue. It would be best to treat your car as though you have a fuel leak (don’t drive it) until you know there isn’t one.   A bad gas cap typically causes the smell of gas, the evaporative emissions system leaking, overfilling the … Read more