Servicing Hybrid Transmissions
Figure 2: Internal view of Honda’s CVT mounted IMA
11. Wait at least 5 minutes after turn- transaxle. But you should check the side of the transaxle and a drain on the
ing the ignition off or isolating the transaxle fluid at 30,000-mile inter- bottom like a manual transmission. On
high voltage battery pack before vals. the Gen I, use Toyota ATF T-IV fluid;
performing any service on the There’s an inspection plug on the on the Gen II, use Toyota WS fluid.
vehicle.
Just like a regular vehicle, hybrids
require regular maintenance which
includes checking tires, brakes, fluids,
etc. Let’s look at what additional ser-
vice is required for a few of the really
common hybrid vehicles on the road
today.
Toyota
The most common hybrid vehicle
is the Prius. Three generations of Prius
are on the road: Gen 1 (2001-2003),
Gen II (2004-2009), and Gen III (2010-
up). We’re just going to look at the first
two. The Toyota hybrid engine requires
regular oil changes at 7500 miles, and a
new oil filter at 15,000 miles. The rec-
ommended oil viscosity is 5w-30.
CAUTION: If you use a heavier
oil, the engine may not start.
The transaxle includes a planetary,
chain, bearings, sprockets, and a couple
high-voltage A/C motors. There’s no
specific fluid change interval for the Figure 3: High voltage battery isolator
14 GEARS January/February 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74