Hybrid Battery Question

There's a independent Prius guy in the Tampa area that seems to have a good reputation. I'm sure somebody here will tell you who he is after your post has been on here awhile and more people read it.

 

Fast cycling is a sign of a weak hv battery.

But there are solutions out there.

I have a Prolong harness and share the Prolong equipment woth another member here which helps us both maintain our hv battery before it threw any codes.

Todd @ @TampaPrius.com owns Tampa Hybrids and is a great help to those interested in the Prius and it’s various facets .

Keep us posted .

 

Yup.

 

Most of these warranties sold by dealerships are for "normal" cars and don't cover hybrid components. Read the fine print carefully.

GOOD LUCK!

 

I’d give Todd a call before heading out to Clearwater Toyota .

IMO these are the early signs of hv battery failure, so I would prepare for that reality. If there are no lights for warnings on the dash, the dealer may not be able to tell you anything .

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

Yes mine was doing the same thing. Your looking at stage 1 of hybrid battery death. I bought a hybrid battery charger and a year later it’s still doing ok.

I live by you. You have to use the ac everyday. It’s hot and humid here. No ac on the hybrid battery is sucking in hot moist air. The hybrid battery has a fan that’s always on. Your circulating hot moist air over the battery.
If you go for days not using the ac unit that’s a pretty good way to kill the ac system. Use it everyday. Keep the cabin cool and dry.

You also need to keep a shade in the windshield every second your not in the car. It has a huge windshield and that cabin heat cooks the battery. You have to keep the back cloth package rack extended to keep the sun from directly hitting the back area where the hybrid battery lives.

They will not replace a dying hybrid battery under warranty unless It has thrown failure codes. Your right on the line of factory warranty. Your
Extra warranty will not cover that battery.
It’s 8 years or 100000 miles for the factory hybrid warranty.

So hopefully it blows up real soon.

Be aware that many Prius tend to use engine oil. It is very important that you check the oil yourself regurly to see how much. The monkeys at the dealership Do not check the oil level before changing it. You could be eating a lot of oil And have no idea. Problem with that is you go on long trip with an oil eater You run the oil so low it turns on a check engine light. It gets towed in And has blown engine your warranty does not cover running the engine out of oil.
It’s your reponsibility.

 

Btw no lights on the dash no codes thrown. Your trip to Al and back will get you into 100000 miles and no more hybrid battery warranty.
Last time I checked at Clearwater Toyota where I bought my 07 new they quoted me $4000 for new battery. I’m a year out.

Just thought you should know neighbor.

 

Actually, 8 years and 100,000 miles here. 10 years and 150k miles in CARB states.

Absolutely, go see Todd at Tampa Hybrids. He knows more about your car than Toyota and has better prices. And do it before your trip. It may save you an expensive tow. If nothing else, the car will run way better.

 

Thanks jerry it is I was thinking about carb. I fixed it.

 

Yes Todd is worth the drive. It’s a hike from St Pete though.

 

Just out of curiosity.......We moved from Pa. to Fl. Pa. was a CARB state correct? Is Fl. not a CARB state?

 

FL is not a CARB state.

 

that's a smart move kelli, my daughter has an '08 with similar mileage, and i would advise the same thing in your situation.
you're fortunate to have tampa hybrids, expertise like that is few and far between.

even if you need a battery eventually, it will be worth the investment. the 2008 is rock solid, and you should get at least another 100k without any major issues, although there is no guarantee.

all the best!

 

You really need to find a good local mechanic. Majority of Prius repairs are just regular car stuff.
Clearwater Toyota is $140 an hour labor. You to not want your oil changed there they will routinely overfill the hell out of your engine oil on a change and will use god awful vat oil.


I bought my car new there. 11 years ago . They gave me some free oil changes. First time I tried them
I was curious and after my car disappeared into th back of the building I went around to the back of the building and found my car. It was being changed by a guy who spoke no English. There was 3 guys. I tried asking him some ?? and all I got was his hands in the air. Filthy area and huge vats of cheap Dino crap oil.
Got my car back drove it home and checked the oil and it was a quart overfilled. Dumped that out and never went back. They use pneumatic guns to fill the engine back up. Fed by those vats. Those guns are extremely inaccurate so they always pump more so to make sure the oil is not low. Your not checking it yourself so you have no idea.

Prius engine takes exactly 3.5 quarts of oil with a new oil filter. Buy the factory oil filter from Clearwater Toyota is $4.25. You can buy a 5 quart jug of 5-30 Mobil 1 Synthetic oil from Walmart for $24.95.
I pour out 1.5 quarts out of that jug and bring that jug and factory oil filter to my guy. It cannot be messed up.

Over 2 jugs you almost have 3 oil changes. Good for 10000 miles a change. The oil your dealer is using
Is dinosaur oil not synthetic.

 

Easy Care extended warranty does not cover any hybrid components. Hybrid Battery is not covered.

 

Ahh, the old dealership ploy "I was told"; usually by the F&I person spreading FUD while also making grand promises at closing when the customer just wants to be done and drive off in their new purchase. READ the fine print in your paperwork. There will be an exclusions section.