Seeking advice on if my hybrid battery is going bad. I have a 2010 with 127k miles, owed it for 4 years with absolutely no issues. While I was driving through the car wash in neutral yesterday my prius started beeping stating the battery was too low and needed to be shifted back to the park position. I'm about to drive 1000+ miles from AZ to TX in about two months and worried my hybrid battery may need to be replaced before the big trip. I'm a little concerned about taking into the dealership since I don't find the dealership here to be entirely trustworthy. Any advice on my next steps or things to keep an eye out for to truly know if my hybrid battery is failing?
I have noticed my 2010 beeping as well sometimes when I wash it. I'm sure others will weigh in on this, but it may be nothing to worry about especially if the car is running OK and there are no further alerts coming from it.
It could have been an aberration because of the water pressure.If your hybrid battery charges up while you are on the Highway and discharges gradually while you are in traffic,and then charges up again when you are Highway driving(braking also charges it up a little), then it should be OK. If your car transmission was in neutral while you were in the car wash and you had AC on,radio playing,etc.,etc.,the hybrid battery won't charge up. The charge could have been very low,thus you received the beeps. Just watch the battery charging monitor and see if it goes up and down while driving in the conditions I mentioned. With the mileage on your car,the hybrid battery is not as efficient as it once was,but should be functional for awhile depending on your driving,use of AC,etc. I have 112M miles on my 2010 Prius and it is fine,though I don't get the mileage I used to get when it was new.
welcome! the carwash problem is not necessarily your problem, but every prius owners problem. if the hybrid battery isn't close to full when you enter in neutral, and you have the a/c on, you risk a low battery by the time you come out, and possibly even a no start situation. with a 10 year old battery, my best advice is to stay out of car washes that demand neutral enjoy your trip.
