Used Hybrid Shopping: Three Important Checks

Software updates? That's number 1?
Ummm... Nope.
There is no way for a consumer to see the software when going to look at a used car.
So why bother telling them to look at the software?

Looking at fluids (oil, inverter coolant, radiator coolant, transmission if possible), doing a seat-of-the-pants load test of hybrid system, checking 12v (got that one right), checking vehicle records if possible. Those would be more helpful that anything about the software.

Of course, you can go to dealer at a later date to check about new software, but seriously, in the 10+ years I have worked on hybrids, Noone ever puts software issues at the top of their list!

Inspection can be done by independent hybrid mechanic. Sometimes they can do more than the dealer. For example, I can provide a Hybrid Battery Health Snapshot. Shows how that battery is performing. Dealers don't provide that.

 

Do other hybrids only charge the 12V battery when the ICE is running and spinning an alternator?

 

Civic Hybrid charges the 12 volt battery with the hybrid battery, I think. It doesn't have an alternator. It does have an emergency starter motor, which is used only when temps are very low (under -25F?) or if the hybrid battery is near dead.

 

Hybrid Battery Hero-
In your Prius business, tell us the ratio of Gen2 to Gen3 batteries you see going bad?

Seems to me here on PriusChat we hear very few Gen3 batt replacements, and the 2010's are now going on their 8th year already - if I am counting my fingers correctly. Seems to me we had a lot more Gen2's batts going south at the 8 year mark.

 

Not seeing Gen 3's, although I know other independents are seeing them.
I mainly see Gen 1 and Gen 2 Prius, with some Camry's thrown in.

 

i wonder what models/brands use an alternator. not a bad little video, and he does offer model specific follow up. i still think a good test drive with mpg reset is useful.

 

Ford and Nissan hybrids use powertrains similar to Toyota's. no Alternator there either.

 

None of the North American 2010s have hit their 8th birthday. That starts happening in May 2017.

 

OK that's what I meant to say will be 8-yrs old in less than 1-year

 

Thought I might chime in on this I am seeing a different pattern.

30 series prius taxis in Australia are eating batteries alive! they usually get lazy and throw a code at about 350km where as the 20 series taxis were more like 450km/500+..

Failed gen2 packs generally have a couple bad modules and the rest of the pack could be put back in service that has not been the case so far with 30 series prius and camry! the later generation cars are sucking the life out of the hv battery pack! once the pack fails and you process each individual module you might find half a dozen modules worth putting back in service (if lucky) rest of the pack is pure rubbish.

1: the 30 series is designed to push the battery a little more to save on fuel with the bigger ice, I think its something like 15 or 20% = reduced overall battery cycles
2: "maybe" the modules are not built as well these days (as they were ten or twelve years ago)

Obviously each environment is going to be different, you guys may notice different trends but that's what I am seeing down here in little old Australia.

cheers

 

Interesting Ozmatt. Well we have also heard Gen3 batt failures in European Taxi service. But as far as USA consumer use we are not seeing many Gen3 batt fails as yet.

 

Taxis are a little different to private vehicles I guess, always loaded to the hilt and in a hurry..running 24/7 never a chance to cool down, maximum discharge up the big hill (fully loaded with 5 people!) overcharge down the big hill (lots of hills around here!)

most gen3 owners that love their car will just buy a new battery when it eventually fails but those expecting to buy a couple modules and rebuild their existing packs may be in for a shock, I could end up wrong Aussie taxis might just be battery busters!