For a 2023 Prius 5th Gen (MXWH60) brake pads are a little different than a normal car because of the electronic parking brake and electric brake booster. You have to disable them first or you’ll damage the system.
Here is the full DIY guide:
1. Safety Warning & Tools
Important: The Prius has a high-pressure electric brake booster. Do NOT push the brake pedal while calipers are off, and do NOT open the driver door with 12V connected — it will prime the brakes and push pistons out.
Tools needed:
– Jack, jack stands, wheel chocks
– 14mm, 17mm socket, breaker bar
– Brake piston wind-back tool (rear needs it)
– Brake grease, brake cleaner, new pads (Front: 04465-47150, Rear: 04466-47120 – verify with VIN), torque wrench
– OBD2 scanner with EPB function, or you can use manual EPB release method
2. Preparation / Put Car in Brake Maintenance Mode
1. Park on flat ground, chock wheels, car OFF.
2. *Disconnect trick to disable brake booster:* With car OFF, disconnect 12V negative terminal in trunk OR remove the 2 brake booster relays in engine bay fuse box (marked ABS1, ABS2). This prevents the system from pressurizing.
3. For rear brakes: You MUST release the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB).
*Method A (No scanner):* IG-ON (press start 2x without brake), hold EPB switch DOWN for 5 sec while pressing brake pedal, you will hear motors wind back. Dash will say EPB maintenance mode.
*Method B (With scanner):* Go to EPB > Maintenance Mode > Release.
3. Remove Wheel
1. Loosen lug nuts (21mm), jack up car, secure on jack stands.
2. Remove wheel.
4. Front Brake Pads (Easier)
1. Remove 2 caliper slide bolts – 14mm on back of caliper.
2. Lift caliper up and hang with zip tie — DO NOT let it hang by hose.
3. Pull out old pads and anti-rattle shims. Note orientation.
4. Remove caliper bracket if changing rotors (17mm bolts, 81 ft-lbs).
5. Compress piston: Use C-clamp, push piston straight back slowly. Open brake fluid reservoir cap under hood if hard to push.
6. Clean bracket, apply brake grease to slide pins and pad ears.
7. Install new shims, new pads, reinstall caliper. Torque slide bolts to *25 ft-lbs*.
8. Repeat other side.
5. Rear Brake Pads (Electronic Parking Brake)
1. Confirm EPB is in maintenance mode — rear piston will be retracted slightly but you still need to screw it in.
2. Remove 2 caliper slide bolts (14mm).
3. Lift caliper, remove old pads.
4. *Compress rear piston:* You CANNOT push it straight. You must *screw it clockwise while pushing*. Use wind-back tool or needle nose pliers in the notches. Screw it in until fully bottomed.
5. Clean and grease slide pins (very important on Prius, they stick).
6. Install new pads with shims. Torque slide bolts to *25 ft-lbs*.
7. Do NOT press brake pedal yet.
6. Reassembly and Initialization
1. Reinstall wheels, hand-tighten lug nuts, lower car, torque lugs to *76 ft-lbs*.
2. Reconnect 12V battery / reinstall ABS relays.
3. *Exit EPB Maintenance Mode:* IG-ON, pull EPB switch UP for 5 sec until you hear motors engage. Or use scanner to “End Maintenance Mode”.
4. Now get in car, press brake pedal 3-4 times SLOWLY until firm. The electric booster will hum and pressurize — this is normal.
5. Check brake fluid level in reservoir — top up with DOT3 if low.
7. Bed-In / Break-In
1. Start car to READY.
2. Drive to empty road, do 5 stops from 30 mph to 10 mph with moderate pressure, with 30 sec cool down between.
3. Then 3 stops from 50 mph to 20 mph.
4. Don’t hard brake for first 200 miles.
5. Check for squeal, pulling, or ABS/VSC lights.
Common Mistakes on 2023 Prius
– Forgetting EPB maintenance mode = destroys EPB motor ($400+)
– Not disconnecting 12V/ABS relay = piston shoots out, needs dealer bleed with Techstream
– Using wrong grease on slide pins — use silicone-based, not regular
If you get ABS, Brake, or EPB lights after, you need a scanner to clear and run “Linear Solenoid Learning” and “EPB Reset”.