PIP reliability concerns over regular Prius

Hello
I had similar concerns in 2013 when I was looking at my PIP. I chose the PIP because of the lithium battery. Larger capacity as well. I have 61k miles of EV on mine.

 

I had a regular prius and I have a plugin prius

I found that the lithium battery is in better shape, so indeed should last line longer

 

Now I also have a ampera, but that is a different level of EV

 

I'm over 81,000 miles on my '13. I got it in Dec. of 2016 with 54,400 miles. So far, I've changed the engine oil a few times, changed the transaxle oil, lubed the brake caliper slide pins, and added freon to the air conditioner. I get 10-14 miles on a charge depending on speed, hard stops, and temperature.

 

The PiP has been very reliable we have very few issues reported.

 

67k and you will add 25k before changing jobs? how many miles a year after that? we've seen some pretty good mileage racked up in the past 6 years with very few problems.
of course, the battery is still under warranty in most cases, so there haven't been many paid replacements.

i wouldn't be too concerned, and if you do need a battery after warranty, hopefully a salvage is available.
idk how well lithium stores though.

 

If the PIP battery ever needs replacement (big "if"?) I'd guesstimate the cost would be about double?

Also, long commute, are you ok with not having a spare tire?

Other'n that, go for it.

 

I have driven 75000 miles in two Prius Plug-in cars with no problems. Wife now drives 2015 Plug-in The battery has a long warranty, and I haven’t heard of others having a problem. I was able to increase my overall mpg from around 50 mpg with a regular Prius to 80 mpg, as I took many short trips and about 40% of my miles were on electricity alone. I only plugged in to a 110 volt socket in my garage. No outside plugging in because of inconvenience.

 

you added freon? you have a leak then obviously

 

Maybe yes, maybe no. But yeah, personally, if AC performance is falling off, this is the one thing I bring to the dealership. Let them do, with proper evacuate/refill, leak check and all that. Around $150, and better for the environment.

 

i'm at 60k on my 2012. a/c is fine, but miles might be more important. plus, jerry's in florida, year round use.
i only need it in june, july and august, as a rule.

 

The AC on ours was getting iffy last summer, so I brought it in for service, better now. I think it's good to run occassionally say every couple of weeks, for at least a few minutes. Keeps oil circulated, prevent seals from drying out. That mighta been the issue with ours: we actually use it more in winter, in the rain.

 

Yes, but there's nothing different in the PiP A/C than in the regular Prius, so it's not really relevant to the question of reliability vs. regular Prius, but I included the info just to be thorough. And, it's apparently an extremely minor leak. The original owner had it recharged too, in July of 2016. I had to add in May of 2018 and there are still no bubbles in the sight glass. Given enough time, almost all air conditioners will develop a leak, either in a car or a house.

BTW, @Mendel Leisk, I think I've said it before, but I'm a little envious of your climate. We run our A/C practically every time we drive.

 

And you still have double my mpg...

 

It pays to cheat.

 

Mine runs 365 days a year. Not only for my comfort, but I'm a little paranoid about keeping the hybrid battery nice & cool. (Prius rookie). The good Professor on YouTube, Weber St, also recommends keeping the AC running.

 

I agree.

 

I’m in HVAC and SoCal so I to have my air running a lot. And the AC early on that the plug ins have seems like a nice feature.

Jerry- yes, that is a crazy small leak and it seems you only have to recharge once every two years so that definitely works.

Is it true the Ac on from the key fob turns off after 3 mins but will stay on longer if it’s still plugged in?

 

My manual says that it will shut off after 10 minutes. It does not say if it needs to be plugged in. From that, I conclude that the time would be the same either way, assuming all other conditions are met. The manual doesn't say anything about three minutes.

In my experience, in the Florida heat, running the A/C for just ten minutes doesn't cool the cabin enough to justify the ten minute delay in leaving. So, after trying it a few times, I gave it up. I get in and go. I put the A/C on auto and then take it out of recirc so I'm cooling 90° air rather than 130° air, and open the windows part way until the cabin cools a bit. Then put it in recirc and close the widows. I take a bit more of a hit on EV range that way compared to trying to pre-cool while plugged in, I suppose, but it seems to make the car comfortable quicker.