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Generation 4 2016 Prius 4 year Update

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020.

  1. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    I finally uploaded my 4 year review - almost 4 and a half. It is at

     
    #1 JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020
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  2. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    Nice review. 12V battery: have you added distilled water to the battery?
     
    #2 pianewman, Sep 26, 2020
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  3. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks for your comment and for watching. From what I understand it is a sealed lead acid battery they doesn't need refill.
     
    #3 JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020
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  4. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Jim,

    The little caps with the cross on them can be unscrewed and you can carefully top each cell off with distilled water. "Sealed Lead Acid" or "Maintenance Free" are marketing statements on car batteries and are false statements (unless you have an AGM battery as was the case in earlier Prii that had the battery in the "Boot') so top the cells off and your battery will last longer.

    The Cold Cranking Amps are an indicator of remaining battery life, but are not really relevant for a Prius as the 12v battery is never asked to supply high current (The Traction battery starts the gasoline engine in a Prius). You were correct to ignore your dealer's attempt to empty your wallet.

    JeffD
     
    #4 jdenenberg, Sep 26, 2020
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  5. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks for clearing that up. I knew something didn't feel right the way they were saying I needed to replace the battery right away but I didn't know exactly why. Thank you for watching the video.
     
    #5 JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020
  6. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    nicely done. I wonder if you could remove the plastic protection strips and clean up that area? If you could, it would look better - and I don't know how much "protection" they are providing anyway.
     
    #6 krmcg, Sep 26, 2020
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  7. ShuttlePod

    ShuttlePod Junior Member

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    Nice. I liked your videos on Prius camping as well. I had a perfect hotel Prius setup in my 2008. The 2020 still needs a few tweaks, but is coming along nicely.
     
    #7 ShuttlePod, Sep 26, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2020
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I'd debate the relevance of CCA: a battery nearing end of life will display low CCA, regardless. It may not need high CCA, but it's still dying.

    I've found the best way to determine the need and do a distilled water top-up, get them uniformally back to the top line, is to disconnect and remove the battery. Set it with a light behind so you can clearly see the levels.

    Good time to clean the top of the case, the posts and cable clamps as well. Use a strip of fine sand paper on the posts, wipe them off, then bag and dispose the sand paper and cloth: it will have lead dust.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Sep 26, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2020
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  9. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks and thanks for watching. That is a good idea as long as I don't scratch through the paint and start a corrosion problem.
     
    #9 JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020
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  10. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks for the tips and for watching. I used to do a lot on my older cars these days not so much.
     
    #10 JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020
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  11. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks and thanks for watching. I haven't camped in a while. I think my favorite camping area has been closed for a while.
     
    #11 JImmyPriNew, Sep 26, 2020
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  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    #12 kithmo, Sep 27, 2020
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  13. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    #13 JImmyPriNew, Sep 27, 2020
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  14. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    JLmmyPriNew: Would you be willing to remove the 12V screwcaps and check electrolyte level? I'm very interested. If it's low, you should probably add some distilled water (you probably already know that!)
     
    #14 pianewman, Sep 27, 2020
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  15. Ty D

    Ty D Junior Member

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    #15 Ty D, Sep 27, 2020
  16. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks for your comment and for watching. I am thinking about it.
     
    #16 JImmyPriNew, Sep 29, 2020
  17. JImmyPriNew

    JImmyPriNew Member

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    Thanks for your comment and for watching. I am on Hawaii Island, the Big Island.
     
    #17 JImmyPriNew, Sep 29, 2020
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  18. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    Wow... I feel lucky if I see over 45 MPG average for the day. ;)
     
    #18 Mambo Dave, Sep 30, 2020
  19. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Thanks for the update, Jimmy. Very nice to see you here again.
     
    #19 jerrymildred, Sep 30, 2020
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