2011 Prius - Maybe time for a new hybrid battery?

Should be fine until the battery code pops up

 

If you're using the heater, it won't be as efficient

 

When my hybrid battery died the engine sill ran and I drove the car home with a bunch of codes on the dash. The cost to replace at my dealership was around $4000, but luckily I'm in a CARB state and came in just under the warranty.

 

Getting a new battery is the best, most reliable option.

When my 2018 gen4 reaches 8 years or 100k, I will get a(nother) grid charger.

 

There’s a third gen version, if you’re game to DIY. $1600 USD, no core charge, all-in (but sales tax), to your door:

Prius Battery Replacement (GenII) Like you've never seen - NEW Cylindrical Cells | PriusChat

 

Interesting thread on the pros and cons:

OEM hybrid battery vs newpriusbatteries? | PriusChat

 

Wait......what ??
Doesn't that model use "waste" engine heat to heat the cabin ?

If so, it should be more efficient than running the AC.
And only a tiny bit less efficient than just the vents.

 

I recommend getting an OBDII bluetooth enabled adapter that plugs into the diagnostic port under the dash. Then run the Dr. Prius app which includes 2 tests, one whether the battery is functioning properly and another that estimates how much reserve is left.

Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus

 

As these cars age, there could be other high costs items you may need. For example, many people have had problems with oil burning on these 2011 cars. Also almost all of the gen3 cars will eventually need a headgasket replacement around 200k miles, as they seem to all be failing at some point around that mileage. And then there is the expensive electronic braking system that may fail down the road as well (as with the previous generation).

So you are at the point where this car will eventually need multiple $2000+ repairs. So you have to consider if you want to keep this 10 year old car and start putting money in it or maybe consider selling it and getting a newer model without these needed repairs for another 10 years.

 

How long have you owned the car?

The most common sign of battery failure is rapid charging and discharging.

the battery draining when you first start it up and drive away in the morning is a very common scenario on a week, or low capacity battery.

 

For the first few minutes after start up, you’ll notice the engine runs at steady fast-idle, regardless if you’re coasting or accelerating. This is because the car’s motivation is totally from the hybrid battery for that time.

if you’re battery has reduced capacity this period will be especially taxing on state-of-charge.

 

And this is why hybrids NEED to be driven; often, and for long periods of time. Heavy users like high miles commuters, delivery, taxi, etc., are the ones who get a lot of trouble free battery miles and long(er) battery lives.

This guy could easily reach 300+k trouble free HV battery miles: Update: 100k miles on my new 2020 Prius | PriusChat

 

Different car, different battery, different age so not relevant.

 

And I think you have drawn an erroneous conclusion from the data.
It could be that TIME is more important than USE in the battery wearing out.
Just maybe.

An example for clarity:
The chemistry and construction of the battery means that it will last 10 years (just for example).
For the person who drives a LOT in those 10 years, it would appear that a lot of use is good for it.......because he got a LOT of miles.
When the next person doesn't drive much at all and gets the same 10 years.
Indicating that this statement has NO merit whatsoever:
" And this is why hybrids NEED to be driven; often, and for long periods of time. "
Just maybe.

 

Our 2010 has build date aug 09, and when we bought it in nov 10 it had 10~ kms on the odo (not 10k, 10). Ten years plus after purchase, it has 89k kms. Hybrid battery performance seems the same as day one.

 

The same scenarios can be found in the early days in both the gen 2 and 3 forums (see 2fas4u threads). I simply picked that gen 4 thread as a current example (rinse, lather, repeat).

That's what I'm saying. Those folks using their vehicles a lot from the beginning are getting TIME to work for them. Those types of driving cycles are also easy(er) on the HV battery (win-win). Time, use, and temps are the BIG three factors.

Depleting most of a vehicle's life at the beginning of the its natural cycle makes the most sense/cents; hybrids especially. Use it or lose it.

That's not the whole picture: they lose capacity, fuel economy, and acceleration and increased emissions (see fuel economy). Use it or lose it.