I'm considering buying a 2012 Prius Plug-in (UK spec, as they never sold them here) with about 43,000 miles and was wondering is there anything I can do to test what kind of state the hybrid system is in, or the condition of the batteries? Is there much I can do without external diagnostic tools? I've test driven a few standard 3rd gens and sort of know what to expect regarding when the ICE will kick in, etc., and understand the PIP should be able to run on EV only for longer and at higher speeds. Anything else to watch out for?
some say you can measure the amount of charge it takes from empty, not sure what you need to measure it though. if it's any comfort, there haven't been any problems reported here. all the best with your decision!
Yes, when you plug it in with a kWh meter in between, from an empty battery (only 2 or 3 bars left) you can measure how many kWh go in it. After four years, assuming temperature of 10 to 15 degrees C, that may be at least roughly about 10% below 3 kWh, so maybe 2.7 kWh or a bit lower.
Sounds like a good car. Here on Prius Chat we've heard of no (zero) {0} PiP1 batt fails, maybe a slight drop off in total charge. The 3 things you give up vs. Gen3 are, spare tire, lose some but not all of the 3-ft3 boot space under the Gen3 false floor, and a slightly smaller gaso tank.
It seems the PiP sold in Europe has the same 45 litre tank as the standard Prius, so I won't be losing out there I assume it normally comes with some sort of puncture repair kit?
At the risk of hijacking the thread, which is not really my intention, I simply had some of the same questions about diagnosing a used PIP before I buy it. I have a 2007 Touring along with Techstream and a mini-vci cable which I can use for diagnostics. Is there anything specific to focus on in Techstream to test or evaluate the EV battery?
Thanks for that, but what I am hoping to find is information on the battery in a PIP, not the standard traction battery in a non-PIP.
I do not know if Techstream handles PiP battery. I am not aware of (1) anyone having a problem with a PiP batt except for mild capacity drop, and (2) not aware any way to test. The Toyota dealers in PiP roll-out states (not PA but NY MD VA NJ etc) have had training I think in PiP servicing, don't know if they would have any ideas. PA presumably has standard 8-yr 100-k mile warranty on Li Batt (PA being CARB but not extended CARB).
Thanks for the info. Regarding the CARB warranty, if I were to purchase a used PIP that was originally sold and registered in a CARB state and since I live in PA (which is CARB but not Extended CARB?) would the 10 year/150,000 mile warranty apply?
Not according to Toyota's rules as we understand them. It should be clearly stated in the warranty guide. The first rule is you gotta be in an extended CARB state to get that extension. Although, if it was orig sold/registered in a full CARB state, that car is now "blessed" by Toyota if it is ever again re-registered in a full CARB state - so that is a minor plus. We have not had any PiP batteries fail, so we have no idea if Toyota may be helpful financially when the time comes. I don't think we have any info on PiP battery cost yet. S Keith might still have some testing ideas, but it would be derived from logic...I don't think anyone has talked about testing PiP here yet. I've previously stated my concern (and I may be paranoid) that some PiP living thru Hurrricane Sandy in NJ/NY area could have seen some water. So I would be looking to see if I thought a used PiP has avoided water, which is hard to say of course. I would look at door sticker for manufacture date.
I ended up buying a 2012 Prius Plug-in on Monday, and I'm pretty happy with it so far. The ride seems pretty harsh compared to my old Peugeot 406 diesel (successor to the 405 if anyone in the US here actually had one), and the seats are maybe not as comfortable (might need more adjustment), but it makes up for it in pretty much every other way. There are some crappy cheap tyres on the front (Bridgestone Ecopia on rear) so maybe there is room for improvement there. I averaged about 53 MPG (44 US MPG, 5.3 l/100km) on the 280 mile trip back home, mostly going 125 km/h (indicated) - I'm sure I can do better once I get used to how it drives. The previous owner had an IEC 60309 16A plug attached to the charger for whatever reason (maybe their home charging point used this) - I just re-wired a standard domestic plug which is what it would have originally been fitted with (we use 230V 13A for domestic outlets, so the 10A charger is fine on these) and it seemed to work OK. I seem to be getting somewhere around 8-9 miles in EV mode so far.
Congratulations on your purchase. I, too, ended up buying a 2012 PIP this past weekend and had 150 mile drive to bring it home. Sorry if I derailed your thread above. Enjoy your new ride.
