Is 12 Volt Gen 4 Battery Made of Gold?

That is very short life for a Prius car battery

 

I never realised that it was see-through (it's dark down there) - but someone on another thread commented that it was. I've taken a video, showing the fluid level, as I rocked the car.

 

On a technical point - for those with OCD - the answer could be "YES - maybe".

"The lead obtained from the blast furnace contains small amounts of some metallic impurities also contained in the ore. These can include the metals: copper, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, tin, silver and gold."

 

That's getting up near HV battery prices

 

I've found you have to pull the battery out to do a half-way decent assessment of the electrolyte levels. Something worthwhile doing around the 3 year mark anyway.

 

That is because your battery is in the BACK. (& not Gen 4)

 

No, this was on previous vee-hick-ulls, with non-AGM batteries Some I'm sure you can see ok, but I always found I needed it out, with a strong light behind it, to see clearly.

 

Just checked my OEM 12v. It's black plastic all the way around, so no easy checking of the electrolyte levels. The good news is that I can see where and how to pop the overall cover off to check when it's time.

 

I've read several threads on GEN4/PRIME 12v battery issue and how expensive the replacement costs are. I don't have any problem with mine, yet. But I sure hope it is not going to cost any more than an ordinary lead-acid battery when it comes time to replace mine. My dealer runs battery special for $99 installed all the time, I wonder if they will honor the sales price for PRIUS?

 

nope, that's only for 'normal' batteries. those specials drive me crazy. at least with oil changes, they know enough to put 'synthetic oil extra' in the fine print.

 

Yeah, with Gen3 and earlier, I can understand they would charge more for expensive AGM battery. But Gen4/PRIME has ordinary lead acid "normal" battery, don't they?

 

normal chemistry, but abnormal size. they'll never give you a $200. battery for $100. you'll be better off at auto zone.
hopefully, pull never need one before more alternatives arrive!

 

Yap, I sure hope they will have plenty of aftermarket batteries available by the time I need to replace mine. For information, I drove Gen3 only 3 years, so no replacement was needed, but for my previous HCH, the OEM 12v battery lasted 9 years before needing replacement. With PRIUS, I would think it should last even longer than HCH.

 

if you take care of, and don't run it down, i agree, especially in our climate.

my '04 lasted 8 years, '08 lated 10 years. i'm pushing for 12 on my '12.

 

I did not do anything on my HCH until it finally did not start in one winter morning after the main hybrid battery failed. I replaced 12v battery with the cheapest one found in local NAPA for ~$100 and had the IMA hybrid battery replaced at a Honda dealer for free under warranty. Thinking of buying good battery maintainer/charger but have not yet.

 

A personal @bisco challenge.

Good luck with this and what are the stakes.

 

having to walk home or call for a ride

 

Sounds like a battery maintainer is in your future.

As I’m sure Mrs. Bisco won’t appreciate walking and you wouldn’t hear the end of it.

 

HCH doesn't have the sks drain, that helps

 

Hybrid Automotive .