I don't know if it is an issue for others or has if this has been mentioned in another post but I think everyone needs an OBD reader and Hybrid Assitant to monitor their battery's temperature; to keep the temperature low. Especially if you do a lot of stop and go traffic where the battery is constantly being discharged and recharged which creates a lot of heat. I've had my gen 3 since 2011 for 235K Miles and just traded it in for a Prime because the battery was giving out. While I had the Gen 3 Ive monitored the battery and it has many times gone over 120F in Miami summers ( I used the vehicle for food deliveries, about 60 miles worth of city miles daily). Only way to keep it down to around 102F was to have Hybrid Assitant run the fan at max constantly during the day. For Highway or night driving the battery didnt require my assistant. I understand this will reduce the life of the fan but just saying Id rather replace a 50$ fan than a $3000 battery. Edit: I understand NIMH batteries have a greater temperature range. Can anyone chime in on the affects of having it at 115F+ often?
You could also turn on your air conditioner. You don’t have to have the temperature at 60 degrees, in the 70’s is fine. You are enclosed within the space as the battery. iPhone ?
Some feller uploaded shots of warped battery packs. But my ac air mod will combat that; keeps hv bat at upper 70s while 100s outside
Yes i have the AC on but the fact that when i turn the car off for 30 minutes and come back to it the car is already an oven. I drive for 10 minutes and its not enough time to even cool the cabin enough. And the fact the Toyota made the fan speed lower while the car is stopped doesnt help.
Can't comment on the lifetime of the battery, but when the battery gets hot, the current gets limited. So you'll use the ICE more and you'll have a higer fuel consumption.
I agree with OP, also driving in hilly terrain will heat up the battery really fast (SOC at 80%), ambient temperature doesn't play a big role in this conditions. I'm also observing a battery degradation, I don't know at what point the car dies, this is a tipping point for me to buy a new Prius.
would be interesting to hear from someone in similar clime and conditions, who monitors the temp, and hasn't had similar battery degradation in 10 years
