So I just bought a 2012 with only 49k miles. Got a real good deal at 6250, but I am pretty sure the hyrbrid battery is going to need replaced. I only have about 3 bars on it when I drive ont he display, it will sometimes get up to 6 but then goes to 3. I am sure this is mostly as it doesnt look like it was driven much. Is this a fair assessment, thanks to all as I know this is a newbie question. GTP
NO. You don't have NEARLY enough information to jump to that conclusion. Under many circumstances, the system will keep the charge level in the middle somewhere.
Does the displayed charge drop/climb quickly? If it's gradual, I think it's less likely to be problematic, just due to driving conditions. If you're driving on level roads, say 30~35 mph, engine fully warmed, the car will tend to slip into electric-only, and will happily eat up the charge. If this goes on more than a mile, you'll run it down to two bars easily. Another scenario: you're tooling around a parking lot, looking for a spot. Here again you're pretty much level, and the low speeds (basically crawling) means you'll almost for sure be electric-only, and will eat up the charge fast. If you're driving again around 30~35, but more stop-and-go, encountering traffic lights, stops, there's curves, rises and descents, then the engine will tend to stay on more, you'll just have brief electric-only stretches, and the charge should settle in somewhere around 2/3. If you take it for a highway drive, say 50 mph or more, the car will never be electric-only (the upper threshold is something like 45). In that condition, after 10~15 minutes driving, if the battery is ok the charge display should for sure be up around the 2/3 level or better. I would just give it a while, continue to monitor, and post updates. You might also look into a phone app Dr Prius (you need a bluetooth OBD adapter too, Carista is one that works), see what it says.
congrats and welcome! doesn't sound to bad, but it might be a good time to purchase a hybrid automotive grid charger and start rejuvinating the pack. all the best!
also: consider cleaning the hybrid fan and changing the tranny fluid, along with regular maintenance for that many years. sign up at toyota.com/owners and input your vin for dealer history
You have a lot of things to check. Look at doing all the previous replies. My question is, Who did you buy it from and what previous maintenance has been done?
2 owner car that was serviced at the dealer the entire time. Looks like oil got changed regualry at 7500 miles Drove it tonight for a lot longer and had half bars and then even one more....good news. I think this thing was in a slumber for a long time and just wanted to be driven! This is my first Prius....these things are Awesome! It told me for my 6 mile drive i got 48mpg! Bisco thx for the Toyota owners tip....i can see all the service records now. Even thought when I did a Vincheck online it showed no acccidents it looks like it got into a fender bender of some sort as look at these parts it got in a service call: COVER, FR BUMPER L/P 5211947934 1 SUPPORT, FR BUMPER S 5211547041 1 SEAL, HOOD TO FR END 5339547020 1 REINFORCEMENT SUB-AS 5202147012 1 BRACKET SUB-ASSY, FR 5701347040 1 BRACKET SUB-ASSY, FR 5701447040 1 COVER, FR BUMPER HOL 5212747903 1 GRILLE, RADIATOR 5311147040 1 JAR, WASHER, A 8531547140 1 PIPE, WASHER, A 8531947120 1 UNIT ASSY, HEADLAMP, 8113047520 1 LENS & BODY, FR TURN 8151147060 1 BRACKET, FR TURN SIG 8151947060 1 BRACKET, FR TURN SIG 8151947040 1 BRACKET, FR TURN SIG 8151947050 1 BRACKET SUB-ASSY, FR 5380347020 1 TUBE & ACCESSORY nice person 8871047150 1 HOOD SUB-ASSY 5330147050 1 HINGE ASSY, HOOD, RH 5341047070 1 HINGE ASSY, HOOD, LH 5342047070 1 LABEL, COOLANT SYSTE 1128537060 1 LABEL, EMISSION CONT 1129837350 1 LABEL, COOLER SERVIC 8872347090 1 LABEL, BATTERY CAUTI G927576020 1 FENDER SUB-ASSY, FR 5380147040 1
