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I have no idea what normal is - please help

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017.

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  1. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    I think this car has caused some me to have a bit of OCD.

    I just bought a 2007 Prius with 200K on the dial. It's in lovely condition and it seems to run like new - it certainly drives like new. Not a squeak or a rattle anywhere and it has excellent acceleration and breaking. I'm serious when I say that I can't discern it from new.

    It was a one-owner car and was pampered. I took it to Toyota and the service advisor went through the history with me, saying that it's one of the most complete histories he's ever seen.

    Among the details of the history is a new HV battery at 160K. So the battery should be reasonably new.

    That's the good. Here's the bad:

    I have no idea what normal is. I avoided these cars used because of fear that the traction battery would fail and leave me with a 2K bill. Having said that, I have been watching the behavior of the battery on the screen and it concerns me.

    Until I found this forum, I had read through other people's warnings about symptoms of a bad battery. I think that's a little like a hypochondriac reading WebMD when they have a headache. However ill-advised it might be, it all left me confused and worried.

    1. One example of these claims was that "If the car ever dips below 10mpg on acceleration, the battery is shot". Mine dips below 10mpg rather frequently when I accelerate from a stop. Is this normal?

    2. Another example was, "If the battery ever goes to full charge, i.e. green, it's a symptom of a bad HV battery. Mine goes to green every day.

    3. Yet another was "rapid discharge". Just now, I went through a drive-through, a mile from the house. It's in the 90's, a/c was blasting because I hadn't been in the car that long. Within minutes, I went from mid-range blue to 2 bars and the engine kicking on. Once I got back on the road, I was back to blue within a couple of minutes. Is this rapid discharge?

    I gave all my money to this car and I don't have anything else. I would really appreciate any feedback you guys could provide to help settle my mind, or to tell me I need to brace for big problems.

    Thanks folks!
     
    #1 Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017
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  2. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Congrats on your new used car and welcome to Prius Chat. It's been awhile since I've had a Gen. 2 but I think you shouldn't worry too much.

    1. I've never heard of that saying that if it goes below 10mpg on acceleration the battery is shot. I've never paid much attention to the numbers but if you accelerate fairly briskly and especially if you floor it I can see that you can go below 10mpgs. I'll have to pay attention to what mine says.

    2. It depends a lot on the terrain where you live. We used to live in the Pocono's in Pa., very hilly and I would get full green bars everyday. It just depends on the terrain.

    3. Losing the battery charge as you describe in absolutely normal. The A/C depletes the battery fairly quickly. Here in Florida we run into that a lot. Putting the A/C up 3, 4, or 5 degrees while your sitting will help the battery not depleting so fast.

    Number 1 is the only point I'm not so sure about now you got me curious I'll have to see what mine says.
     
    #2 paprius4030, Aug 30, 2017
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  3. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    Thank you, PaPrius - that helps. I know the day will come when this is all ordinary to me, but being a newbie and not understanding what is and what is not normal makes a tough honeymoon.
     
    #3 Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Charlie, The descriptions you provide, in my opinion, are completely normal. They are identical to what I experience, and I know the exact condition of my battery since I built it myself using Gen3 battery modules and I capacity test it fairly often to track its condition.
     
    #4 TMR-JWAP, Aug 30, 2017
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  5. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    Thank you TMR... it really helps to hear that. I just went through another drive-through while out on errands (just for a lemonade) and I cut off the a/c this time. I waited longer than the last time, but the battery never went below blue. So I guess the a/c really does make a big difference. Either way, it's good to know that this sort of cycling is okay. Thank you again!
     
    #5 Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats and welcome!
    everything sounds fine to me, can you find out if the battery is from toyota?
    all the best!(y)
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 30, 2017
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  7. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Hey Charlie where in Fl. r u? I'm in Ormond Beach
     
    #7 paprius4030, Aug 30, 2017
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  8. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    Thanks! The battery was installed by the dealership, so yes, I assume it's Toyota.
     
    #8 Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017
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  9. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    I'm over in the TPA area.
     
    #9 Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    big state.
     
    #10 bisco, Aug 30, 2017
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  11. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    If you ever get over to the east side let me know.
     
    #11 paprius4030, Aug 30, 2017
  12. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    I definitely will! You do the same.
     
    #12 Charlie34609, Aug 30, 2017
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  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Me too. My wife still has her '07. If you want to meet up and compare notes, I'd be happy to go for a ride with you and we could also take a spin in our Gen 2 with 120K and a 2-year old battery to compare.
     
    #13 jerrymildred, Aug 31, 2017
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  14. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat! …and yes, having the A/C on will quickly drain the TractionBattery! (see threads passim)
     
    #14 WilDavis, Aug 31, 2017
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  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Be sure to introduce them to Todd too.
     
    #15 Prodigyplace, Aug 31, 2017
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  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    For sure!!
     
    #16 jerrymildred, Aug 31, 2017
  17. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    Welcome. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Everything you describe is completely normal. It sounds like you've picked up a great vehicle. Enjoy it.
     
    #17 Mark57, Aug 31, 2017
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  18. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    Thank you - that's really nice of you
     
    #18 Charlie34609, Aug 31, 2017
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  19. Charlie34609

    Charlie34609 Junior Member

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    Thank you! I'm much more relaxed now - and I'm LOVING the car! Today, I broke 60mpg - I'm learning.
     
    #19 Charlie34609, Aug 31, 2017
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  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Excellent! Be aware, though, if you're not already, that the car's computer tends to be pretty optimistic. As much as 10% sometimes. Also, the gas tank has a rubber bladder that makes it inconsistent on how many gallons it holds from fill-up to fill-up. So it'll take several tanks for you to get a clear idea of your average mileage. Once you do, then the reading on the display will help you compare how well you're doing at the moment vs. at other times and you'll know how far it's off from the real world. It's kind of screwy, but some people call that character. ;)

    Still, 60 mpg on the display is really good!
     
    #20 jerrymildred, Aug 31, 2017
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