I've been amazed phoning Jiffy Lube, AutoZone and the like, that none can change the battery in a Prius. There are so many in LA! Where are they all getting their new batteries? I have a 2014 and the battery doesn't last a week of non use. I don't really want to change it myself. Thanks.
This somehow seems quite sad, is the thing that unique of a size? Procedure for 12V battery replacement. | PriusChat
Pep Boys is one US retailer where you can type in your car specs and it'll show what's available. I've tried that a few times and there were a couple of options, a lower priced, conventional shaped AGM (by Bosch if I recall correctly), and an Optima Yellow Top. I'd be inclined to go with the Bosch (or whatever it is), the Optima claim to fame seems to be higher CCA, at the expense of Amp Hours, and apparently it's the latter that matters more with Prius. If a week of non-use is a regular event, it's not surprising a battery will die. We tend to have 1~3 days of non-use, and I basically keep it on a smart charger constantly. Ours is the Optima Yellow Top btw, but in light of what I mentioned above, I'll probably be trying something else next time around. "non use" is a bit of a misnomer: idle time is actually rough on a battery. There's a constant low level demand, and it's not being recharged. It's a walk in the park. Disconnect the negative cable first (the one that goes directly to the car body, and then follow your nose. A 10 mm wrench, and maybe a ratchet drive with 10 mm socket, and extension, you're set. Clean the cable clamps, the posts, and if possible precharge the new battery (with smart charger 3~4 amp range). I'm usually a stickler for torque values, but cable clamps on battery posts is something I've always just "winged". Use a small 10 mm wrench, and just firm them up, don't over-do. The values may be in the posted pdf above (around 5 foot/pounds, 48 inch/pounds?) but it's hard to get a torque wrench on, especially the clamps when it's in there. Deal with the positive post first, completely, THEN do the negative post. What you don't want to do, is provide a "shortcut" path for the electrons, between the two posts. Best to use a simple, compact wrench, and make sure it never bridges between the two posts, or touches any wire/metal that could act as a bridge.
You have a problem other than weak batteries. The 12v battery should last a lot longer than one week without a charge. You have a short or other energy drain. Check the amp draw with the car off. It should only be a few milliamps.
I just searched the internet for Prius batteries, I think for Gen2. If one is wrong let me know. Toyota Battery Choices Optima YELLOWTOP® DS46B24R Model: DS46B24R Weight: 26 lb C20 Capacity: 38 Ah CCA: 450 Amp Width: 5.02 in Length: 9.27 in Height: 8.89 in Bosch Premium Performance Battery Group, Size 51 Pep Boys td. 48 month free replace 48 month battery 440cca/530ca - reserve min = 75 - 45 ah battery is vented to outside of vehicle oe battery is agm only replace w/agm battery - w/smart key - s6 high performance agm - oe cca: 325 battery is vented to outside of vehicle oe battery is agm only replace w/agm battery - s6 high performance agm - w/o smart key. agm battery may req new toyota tray/clamp assy p/n 74440-47020 for installation - oe cca: 270 Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM Battery for 2008 Toyota Prius L4 1.5L Smart Key 325CCA Car and Truck 48 Month Free Replacement Warranty 2x more cycle life than conventional batteries 20X more vibration resistant than conventional batteries 100% spill-proof and maintenance free AGM technology 2008 Toyota Prius L4 1.5L Smart Key 325CCA Car and Truck platinum AGM battery Marathon AGM Toyota Prius Auxiliary Battery - Made in the USA Item #: SLA-9A51P BM Part #: SLA-9A51P Made In: U.S.A. Voltage: 12 Volt Capacity: 46 Ah Type: AGM Length: 9" Width: 4 3/4" Height: 7 3/4" Cold Cranking Amps: 325 CCA Shipping Weight: 46.00Lbs Warranty: 1 Year DEKA 9A51P Rock Auto Cold Crank Amperage (CCA) 325 Crank Amperage (CA) 390 Reserve Capacity Minutes 60 Amp Hour (Ah) Capacity (20hr) 46 Volts 12 Group Size N/A Length 9-1/4" Width 5" Height 8-5/8" ODYSSEY Extreme Series Battery Model PC925MJT PC925MJT | ODYSSEY Batteries Year: 2008 Make: Toyota Model: Prius Engine: 1.5 Liters - CID L4 Model #: PC925MJT BCI #: S46B24R Install Notes: Installation requires battery to be placed on its back side to fit dimensionally EXIDE EDGE FLAT-PLATE AGM - CCA: 440; BCI Group : S46B2 Rock Auto Find a Battery Cold Crank Amperage (CCA) 440 Crank Amperage 530 Reserve Capacity (RC) at 25Amp 75 Amp Hour (Ah) Capacity (20hr) 45 Volts 12 Group Size S46B24R Terminal Type A3 Handle Yes Length 9 - 5/16 in. Width 4 - 15/16 in. Height 8 - 1/2 in.
Thanks guys. My car is currently at Pep Boys getting the new Bosch battery, oil change, and checking for energy drain.
I just recently bought a Bosch battery from Pep Boys and got free install. So far so good. It was fairly painless and the install was done well. They even managed to not loose the odo readings and radio presets.
If a battery is done by a professional there in no need to reset anything. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPGyV7T4SR0
I use that setup for retaining settings. OTOH, it's not the end of the world if you lose settings, which I do on purpose, say when looking at the brakes. The car tends to do some odd revving afterward, some recalibration I think. And of course trip meters, radio presets and so on are gone. Our last Honda had that pita radio code he mentioned. It's all good, IF you haven't lost the code. Stupid cargo cult nonsense.
