DIY 12V Battery Replacement Add'nl Info

Autozone seems to think the (incorrect) Optima YellowTop is the correct battery.

Let me research further. I know I posted something in the other myriad of battery threads. My OEM one is still working fine.

 

Heyy I followed Elektroingenieurs advice and got the H4-DL from autozone for 130 bucks... and it worked!! At least for now. I just drove around the block and back to autozone to get my core return money. I popped the gas lid but have no idea if thay steering calibration is done since my parking lot has turns but i did hit 22mph on the normal road at one point.. gotta reset my clock and stuff but im happy!! Im just hoping this thing lasts. Thanks everyone i am terrible with cars and I needed this win....

Also &#%$ Toyota and their 300 dollar perma-back order battery with no recommended alternatives. ridiculous.

 

After 27 months of battery use in Texas I decided to check the water in my battery. Using a wide tipped screw
driver the caps came off without any damage. Each cell took only about 3 oz. The water was down only about a third
from the full mark.

 

That sounds like a large amount of water for each cell for such a small battery. JMO

 

Does the battery need to be disconnected when taking the top screws out and filling? Is there a max fill line?

 

If you look st the translucent side of the battery you can see the level.

 

In past I've found you pretty much need to remove battery completely, get a good light behind it, to accurately judge electrolyte levels. Good opp to clean the posts/clamps.

 

So I took 3/6 Caps off and I can tell that the plates are still submerged. I found it also useful to Shine a light through one side of the battery while I shake the car and check the level from the other side(caps were back in at this point.) Level looked fine.

 

That's why I don't go to the dealer. DIY=DIR (Do it Right)

 

Toyota uses Interstate Battery as their manufacturer in North America. My experience in replacements is that there is no direct analouge for the Toyota unit, which is hellishly expensive at $286.00 US. However, it is warrantied for 1 to 1 replacement at no charge for 24 months, and prorated after that for 84 months. That's $3.73 per month even with sales tax. Pretty economical.

 

Got the 12 volt low warning message this morning at the 40 month point and 44K. Only one I could find is at Advance which I posted earlier in this thread. One dealer quoted me 175 plus install and another dealer 250 plus install.

What happens if you don't do all that song and dance in the early part pf the thread? Like flap your fuel cap like Dumbo and tap 6 times with your 7th hand!

 

Don't see that option available.

 

I misread your post and I thought you said you put straight shine in it.

 

The Prius battery is expensive (from Toyota) but has an 84-month warranty (2 years replacement, excess of 2 years prorated). Ask your dealer to honor the 84 month warranty. I would replace the battery with the Toyota recommended one because of the complexity of the car and the need for a lot of staying power required by the car when not running. Even if you paid the $285 retail cost of the battery you may avoid even more expensive issues caused by a not-suitable replacement. Hot weather kills batteries. In Florida you are going to be replacing the battery every 2 to 3 years.

 

So my daughter called Advance and they said they would not swap out the battery as it needed special tools and could damage the electronics.
She then called parts and got the $176 quote which is normal/
Then drove to the dealer and they wanted $418 to swap out the battery/ complained to the parts guy and they adjusted the price.

I still don't know what the out the door price was but it was significantly less than $418.

 

$325////argh

 

swindlers!