12V Battery Life/Failures

Mine never really failed but it was starting to drain down faster than when new so I likely had comprimised cells.

I swapped mine for an Optima last spring for a lifespan of about 3.5yrs and over 80k miles. To be fair, I have a very high wattage stereo system so I beat the poor batery to death!

 

Mine lasted for 5 years w/o failure.
However, I replaced it at dealer for $182 just to let my wife have piece of mind.

 

After having mine changed within the first three months, my aux is going on 4 years and 9 months.

 

I have 132,000 miles on a 2005 and the battery is original and going strong.

 

Can't be sure, bought my 2007 used this spring. But assuming it's the original battery, 2+ years and 21,000mi.

 

5.5 years was still working but had gremlins in the starting of car, one bad cell.

 

The original battery lasted ~ 3 1/3 years (May 06-Sept 09). IMO the 2nd battery lasted 10 weeks.

At 8:15 I locked the car with the SKS. At 17:30 SKS doesn't work, the fob doesn't work, and zero lights when the door is opened. After 3 tries the car boots up & all the presets are lost. Car runs fine to dealer & battery is charging at 13.5-13.6v. At the dealer voltage drops to 12.1v after the car is turned off. Left car doing its impersonation of a brick at the dealer.

Didn't think to look for DTC.

 

So Jim you had the battery replaced in September and it only lasted 10 weeks. Ouch that must be record for the shortest lived battery. Hopefully it was just a faulty battery and the it's not something else wrong with the car.

BTW I recently bought a 2004 model used prius and I think it's still on the original battery and it still seems ok. Of course I can't be totally certain that it's the original, but I got the full service records with the car an I don't see any battery replacement.

Dumb question I know, but the OEM battery looks to be "zero maintenance" is that correct. Is there really no way I can check the electrolyte level in this battery?

Thanks.

 

If your car has an original equipment GS Yuasa battery, then it is supposed to be absorbed glass mat. If the battery indeed is AGM, then there's no free electrolyte to check.

If you want to look in the battery anyway, you could peel off the label on top of the battery, which covers a translucent plastic rectangular cover. (The label contains a warning not to remove it.)

Then pry up the cover and you will see into the six cells. If AGM you should see the battery plates and fuzzy white mats between each plate.

Responding to the OP's question, I replaced the 12V battery on my 2004 with 92K miles in late October of this year, as a preventive measure. The battery was almost six years old and was still operational. The replacement was purchased from a Toyota dealer in Tucson.

 

'04, 122,500 miles and original battery still doing fine.

PA P

 

Picking my car up following 90K check my MPG immediately dropped 10%. Any clues?

Bsilver386

 

After picking up my '05 prius from a 90K service I immediately noticed a 10% drop in MPG. Serviceman said the "computer needs to adjust itself in a couple of weeks" ???

BSilver386

 

Check the oil level and tire pressures.

Tom

 

My 2004 is at 161,500 with the original 12v battery. I have a jumper battery that take with me in my travels. I have used the jumper (it is also an air pump) 7 times, but not yet needed it for my Prius.

JeffD

 

Thanks,
Never checked the oil, where's the dipstick??

B386

 

when you open the hood, look to the middle left. going by memory, the handle of the DS is yellow.

mine was bought in 2/08 and i've got 35,000

 

The battery is tucked into the right rear corner below the deck. Instead of a visual inspection I recommend the diagnostic screen on the MFD.

Well, I'm honored that I set the record for shortest 12V battery life. If there is a contender I'll look up the exact dates. The only code was CP17. Toyota ate the cost as this was replaced under the replacement battery's 1 year warranty. The car doesn't "feel right" & my trip home was 6-8mpg below average. I'm checking the tp in the am & I have to reconnect my ScanGauge cable. I don't know who worked on the car but he relocated my cable trapping it in the dash.

 

So far so good on this end for my 12V battery. Bought my '08 in Nov. of '07 and currently have 23K + miles on the odo. No aftermarket stereo, but I do run a mobile rig for amateur radio. Just like P. Wong, I may go ahead and replace the battery within 4 or 5 years time.

 

I just got a new battery for my 2006 with 60,000 miles on it. My original battery only showed 6.4 volts and was out of warranty.

I called Bernie out in California and a new better battery showed up in 2 days.

All for $159.00 delivered. Check out his informative web page and see what I am talking about. Optimum battery to fit Prius with installation kit included.

[FONT=&quot]http://www.elearnaid.com/12vo1topraub.htm[/FONT]

800 236 1831 ask for Bernie and tell him that Joe from Texas posted his web site and phone number on this forum.