<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(k4141222 @ Mar 5 2007, 01:44 PM) [snapback]400446[/snapback]</div> Would like to know as well.. got 94K on a 2004.. so mine might need replaceing soon..
Toyota quoted me about $180 to replace the battery in my 4Runner - I also took the $60 Autozone route. Nothing special about the 12 V battery in the Prius that I am aware of. Mike
<_< As frequently discussed in PriusChat, the Prius 12v auziliary battery is unusual. It is sealed to prevent emission of gasses since it is located within the passenger cabin, it is small in size and capacity since it's primary function is to close the relay to connect the traction battery and only temporarily provide power to other Prius elements. It is easy to deplete by simply leaving interior lights on for a long period and it is normally kept in a state of proper charge by the traction battery through the onboard invertor. Actually, the Prius 12v battery is more like a motorcycle battery than 12v batteries found in ordinary cars. I've never heard of a Prius owner finding a proper replacement 12v Prius battery at Sears, AutoZone or similar stores. I have read that some Prius owners have adapted Miata 12v batteries to the Prius with minor modifications. I hope that some aftermarket battery manufacturer will provide competition as the Prius population increases. The good news: I drove my 2004 Prius for over 2½ years, leaving it unattended, undriven for 15 days at a time without 12v auxiliary battery problems. I did make sure that no interior lights were accidentally left on and that the SKS {Smart Key System} was off when we left on our trips.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Mar 5 2007, 12:58 PM) [snapback]400528[/snapback]</div> I don't see much of a difference between the Prius battery and any other sealed gel-cell type battery like the Optima or Stinger car audio batteries. Could you lead me to something that would show where those kinds fo batteries won't work? The Optima style batteries shouldn't be more than $130.
Item Number MSRP, Core Price, Price 2880021050 $138.70, $0.00, $110.96 BATTERY, PRIUS This is from http://www.toyotapartscheap.com/, I'm sure there are others
Re: 12v battery: please tell me what the: o TOYOTA part number is; o about how many miles or years is this battery's typical life with normal use and care; o is the replacement battery a STANDARD or non-standard auto battery (the previous responses seem to say yes AND no); o is the replacement done about as easily as other typical autos?
The only difference in -battery type- for the Prius battery is it has a vent tube, which vents gases outside in case of some kind of failure. This is -different- than a "sealed lead acid" battery. They can still suffer from some kind of failure, and if they do they vent. As the battery is in the cabin this venting can be considered "dangerous". The Prius battery type IS very similar or the same as some motorcycle batteries. This has nothing to do with whether the battery is a "gel cell" type or "AGM" type. They are all lead acid batteries, and that is what the system is designed for. What you want in the Prius is a "deep discharge sealed and vented lead acid battery". There is an Optima available for the Prius with an install kit that puts a vent tube on it and converts the battery terminals. The yellow top Optima is a deep discharge battery. Search this forum for Optima Battery to find the thread. Cost is just under what you were quoted from your stealer, er, dealer. The Optima is a better quality battery, but whether it is "better" in a Prius is debatable. It shines in "rough service". The Prius application is not "rough service".
My Prius 05 12V battery started acting up (car door wouldn't open, finally car wouldn't start). I had to get AAA to give me a jump start. When I got home, I hooked it up to a trickle charger for 48 hours, hoping that the battery would hold the charge. After 3 weeks, dead. I shopped around on the net and learned all the wholesale toyota parts site referred to above (and thru google) - i.e. toyotapartscheap, no longer ships batteries (something to do with UPS and FEDEX refusing because the parts store doesn't hold a hazmat permit. I was very lucky and bought a new OEM battery from Toyota Central (downtown LA) and they offered via their website a 20% coupon for parts purchases over $150. The retail on the battery was $163, so out the door after tax and coupon was $145. Finally, as I don't have the right tools (not to mention I'm not the most handy guy in the garage...), I took my new 12V battery to Pep Boys in Burbank, close to my work, and they installed it for $15 (their normal battery install price). The whole installation took them about 15 minutes. The mechanic told me it was tricky reinstalling the plastic housing, otherwise, very straight forward. BTW - The Pep Boys in Pasadena closer to my home wanted $15 + $20 hybrid surcharge. So moral of the story, this battery will cost your a lot, however, with some shopping prowess, you can save a little bit of money. In my case, all in, it cost me less than $160 installed, and I didn't have to get my hands dirty. This is definitely less expensive than going to the dealership and paying retail. It's also probably less expensive than buying those yellow-top aftermarket batteries that will set you back over $160 (before tax) without labor. I hope this helps all of you that are scratching your head trying to figure out the most economical way to install a new battery!
I just got, in my opinion, rip off by the Toyota dealer, charging me 318.00 for a new 12v battery. This is a tiny 12v sealed lead acid battery that sits all the way back, in the corner of the trunk in our 2006 Prius (I have jumped it several times because my family leaves the interior lights on). Does anyone know if this battery is an off the shelf item that can be purchased at, say Pep Boys or Sears Automotive, etc. ? Otherwise I really love the Prius.
So far as anyone knows, there is no exact fit battery sold in the US except by Toyota dealers, For about $125 (before shipping) you can get a Toyota 12v battery . OEM Toyota Parts and Accessories | Wholesale prices and Fast Delivery elearnaid.com sells an Optima battery that is arguably a better battery with a conversion kit for $175 including shipping. Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 - 10
replaced mine in June 2010, with a UPS Deep Cycle AGM: TD35-12, $79 TD35-12Â Â Â Tempest Deep Cycle AGM, Valve Regulated, Maintenance Free, Sealed Lead Acid Rechargeable Battery not exact fit but pretty minor.
That battery does not appear to have JIS posts, not does it vent Hydrogen gas out of the passenger compartment, correct?
Just ordered a replacement battery from discounttoyotaparts for my 2005 Prius. On a related note, I also ordered "Toyota Prius Repair and Maintenance Manual: 2004-2008" by Bentley Publishers on Amazon. Has anyone had any experience with the Bentley book or discounttoyotaparts?
Since this is mostly an old thread, I will mention that besides the excellent elearnaid kit, Optima now has a direct fit Yellwtop for the Prius. Optima BatteriesOptima Batteries DS46B24R YellowTop Prius Auxiliary Battery
The Bentley book is better than a Haynes/Chilton but doesn't have quite the coverage as the factory service manuals. It covers just about everything within the means of the average DIY. How much did you pay for your 12V? Not all places will ship them. ELearnAid.com is also selling the new Optima: http://www.elearnaid.com/opdsopbadifi.html