The Toyota Prius was one of the first widely sold hybrid vehicles on the market. While driving a Prius shows a consciousness for conservation, the features, including the stereo system, are anything but low-grade. When you find the need to upgrade your factory stereo with a new aftermarket deck, you can trust the replacement duties to an audio technician at an aftermarket retailer or you can swap the old stereo for a new one yourself and save the cost of labor.
Remove the vent panel left of the steering wheel. The panel simply pulls free of the dash with medium force from a trim pry tool. Start at the top and release the clips behind the panel. Once the top is pulled free, concentrate on the bottom. Use a flat tool (trim panel removal tool or flat screwdriver wrapped in a thin cloth) to pry the panel off.
Remove the dash panel below the stereo. Grab the panel by the right edge and pull with significant force to detach the plastic pin that holds the panel in place. Grab the bottom edge of the panel and pull it from the dash. The panel will still be connected via the cigarette lighter wiring. Leave the wire connected and let the panel hang.
Remove the vent panel to the right of the stereo as you did the left panel. It is only connected with clips that can be pulled free with moderate force.
Remove the dash panel beneath the steering column. Remove the two screws at the top corners of the panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver. The panel is secured by three clips on the right; two on the left. Pull the panel from the dash by hand with a medium amount of force. The panel will be connected by wiring to the Prius. Leave the wires connected allowing the panel to hang out of the way of your next panel removal.
Remove the dash panel above the steering column by pulling it from the dash by hand. The panel is secured to the dash by four clips (two on each side) that can be disengaged by hand. The starter wiring will be connected to the panel. Leave it connected and allow the panel to hang out of the way for future panel removal.
Remove the vent panel to the left of the stereo by pulling it by hand, disengaging the four clips at the corners. The parking brake release will prevent you from pulling the panel completely free from the dash. Reach behind the panel and squeeze the release latch on the brake release handle. The handle will be able to be fed through the front of the panel. Use a flat screwdriver to press the slot on the shaft of the handle to release the handle and enable the panel to be pulled from the dash.
Remove the lower face panel of the stereo by unscrewing the two screws (one on either side) with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Remove the touchscreen display above the stereo. Use a 10-millimeter socket wrench to remove the screws on either side of the display (one on each side). Pull the display from the dash by hand in an abrupt tug versus a steady pull. Leave the wiring (three sets) attached. Sit the display on the dash.
Remove the stereo by removing the four screws near the corners of the stereo mounting bracket with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the stereo from its dock and pull the wire groups from the back of the stereo. Grab the groups by the white plastic wire binders, not the wires themselves.
Connect the wire groups to a wiring harness adapter. The adapter will be labeled with abbreviations or color code to identify where the connections are to be made.
Feed the adapted wiring through the back of the faceplate adapter and push the faceplate adapter into the empty Prius stereo dock.
Connect the wiring harness adapter leads to the new stereo. Push the aftermarket deck into the opening of the faceplate adapter until the face is flush with the trim of the adapter.
Replace the touchscreen display above the stereo. Put the unit in place and apply pressure on both sides evenly to snap the display onto the four clips. Replace the bolts on either side with a 10-millimeter socket wrench.
Replace the lower stereo face panel and screw in the two screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Replace the vent panel to the left of the stereo. Feed the parking brake release shaft through the opening and snap it back into place. Replace the handle on the release (snaps on) and push the panel onto the clips until they lock.
Replace the dash panel above the steering column. Put the panel in place and apply pressure on both sides evenly until the four corner clips are engaged.
Replace the dash panel below the steering column. Put the panel in place and push on both sides until the clips are engaged. Replace the two screws at the top corners with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
Replace the remaining panels (right vent, far left vent and beneath the stereo) by pushing them into place until their clips are engaged.
