Replace Hybrid Battery before it dies or just wait and see?

Mine died while in the garage. I felt lucky. When it dies, nothing will work. The control voltage goes away so...nothing. You wanna be out and about when that happens? I replaced mine with a yellow top battery. More costly, lasts longer. Fit like a glove.

 

Yes, this is a common indicator.

Short trips=tough on batteries as the ICE is frequently in warmup mode and thus calling on the EV side for power.

Warm climate=tougher on batteries.


GOOD LUCK!

OP is referring to the HV battery not the 12 volt.

 

Sorry! I thought you were referring to the starter battery. My hybrid battery is still fine. In Illinois, 2008 Prius, 130K miles.

 

I personally don't recommend refurb batteries for long term use/reliability.

The best/cheapest route for NEW modules to replace the old ones is around $1600: Prius Battery Replacement Kit (GenII/GenIII) with NEW custom cells | PriusChat


GOOD LUCK

 

I’m mostly a DIY person so I’m always doing research. I’ll throw in here, readers digest version, what I’ve read throughout the forums concerning the hybrid battery replacements.

A lot of refurbished hybrids have had particular bad cells replaced with good cells. That doesn’t make the cells left any newer, so they’ll age out quicker than the newer ones, then it’s back to the drawing board.

I’ve read that Toyota will work with you on a new hybrid battery. Basically get a brand new one for half price. This is because they take your old one, refurbish it, and use it in third world countries as a storage component. Worth asking around.

Hope this helps.

 

And, since you are able to replace it yourself, you can then sell some of the old, still working, modules through EBAY. So, your net cost could be about $1300. If you buy a Toyota OEM battery you have to give them your old "core"

My suggestion is to get an OBDII bluetooth adapter and run the Dr. Prius App hybrid battery health tests. That would give you an overall estimate of battery health and help you decide whether to replace it now vs continuing to use it until it dies.

 

I believe they discount the battery only if you are barely out of warranty or just over 100,000 miles. For a 2008 with 170k, he would have to pay full price ( something over $1600) and give them his core.

 

And pay the additional $1350 core charge till the core is approved and the funds returned.

 

Typical signs of an unbalanced HV battery, it may not need replacing for 1k's of miles if properly balanced.

Doubtful that the 12v is the problem, but pull out the voltmeter and give it a check none the less.

With such little usage, it might be prudent to just balance the HV battery and save the funds for bigger repairs down the road.

Depends on how mission critical the vehicle is, can you afford to be stranded or a no show for an appointment?

If parked in the blazing sun all the time, at least crack the windows. The HV battery doesn't like to be heat soaked.

 

So your dealer is essentially charging $1600 for installation. That's outrageous (but not uncommon from Toyota dealers). The warranty on a new OEM battery is irrelevant because failure in the first few years is unheard of but I believe that the standard warranty on a new battery installed by a dealer is 3 years. So, I'm suspicious of your dealer's honesty.

Green Bean battery sells refurbished batteries for $1449 with mobile installation and lifetime warranty. Since refurbished batteries fail after a while, I guess they just keep replacing them until you sell or junk your car. If it were me I would choose that or 2K1Toaster's new ones.

 

http://www.newpriusbatteries.com this is what I have and it works excellent. $1600 delivered to your door.

 

Also need to read the fine print. Some don't cover subsequent labor after the initial installation.

 

And what if your hundreds or thousands of miles away from the installer (rebuilt) and it goes out. Are they going to drive to your location in a day or two?

 

I have not used them and cannot vouch for them. They do not cover diagnostics (you have to document the diagnostic code) or towing but say the warranty is transferable and that they will come to you in 42 of the mainland 48 states. Here is a direct cut and paste from their web site:

We've got you covered for a A LIFETIME

Installation included in warranty coverage

Coverage anywhere in our service area, great if you travel or move

No hidden charges. Period.

 

That's the key here.

Just keep driving until the battery dies a natural death. A failed battery will not leave you immediately stranded. When it does fail you'll be able to drive it in to get repaired. Considering what you have already invested in this car it deserves a new Toyota battery and nothing else.

He's a bit of a drive from you but Todd at Tampa Hybrids would take good care of you.

 

Who’s lifetime, your battery’s or the company? That warranty is not sustainable in the long run. It’s impossible for them to continue with that warranty in the long run.