Just a simple poll to see when folks replaced their 12-volt batteries in their Prius. If anyone replaced with a non-OEM battery, let us know what it was, where you got it, and how it's worked out.
In recent years, I have replaced my CARS before the batteries wore out.......so I checked "Other". But from comments here, I don't think it is significantly different than most other cars. Anything beyond 5 years is a stretch. If you don't drive much, it can be much less. Sometimes it can be much more. IIRC, Pep Boys is one of the few independents that stocks "exact replacement" batteries for Prius models. But the only significant difference often is the design of the connection posts.
I replaced the original 12v battery in my 2004 after 6 years of use. It was still useable at that time but was showing it's age. The replacement was a yellow-top Optima with the terminals reversed for compatibility with the existing cables. That battery was still in use 6 years later when I retired my 2004 at 288k miles. JeffD
Going for 6 years (as of September) with an Optima Yellow Top replacement battery. I'm not sure it was the best option: has impressive cold-crank-amps but lower amp-hours. Our usage just keeps getting lower (~4K kms yearly), but thanks to near-continuous life-support on a CTEK 4.3, it's still showing very good bill-of-health, when CCA is tested.
I clicked 'other' because I replaced my 2010's in early 2020, ten years. I bought the specified replacement from Toyota. Ten years on the first one didn't seem like anything to complain about (especially as I've never really coddled or obsessed over the battery).
I have not kept my Priuses long enough to be needing the 12v battery replacement. My last battery swap was for 10 years old original OEM battery in HCH. My recollection is that most of my past cars had the 12v battery last longer than 5 years with an exception of CRZ my son is driving. That car seems to be needing a new battery every 2-3 years.
No problems at all 4-1/2 years from the original service date on my '17 Prime. My older Prii usually went about 10 years on the original battery. That's why I always recommend getting another Toyota battery when the original one eventually fails. If it fails.
That's smart! I think I'll go with the philosophy on this one..."If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and just check the status with my electronic tester every 6-months and if I see it start to drop off, replace it with OEM. (I checked my Pep Boys and, like Walmart, doesn't list any batteries for Prius.)
Plenty of posts on this. Mine is 5ΒΌ yrs and going fine. Clicked OTHER - because I expect it to still be going when I sell the car.
I'm also going with other because I wont replace my factory unit until it shows the symptoms witch it hasn't yet. My prime will be 4 years old in October and I dont see it going out anytime soon.
4 years and still going for me. I have just clocked up 15,000 miles so not many long trips for me, but I have a smart charger that I uses every now and then if I know I am not going to be using the car for a long period of time. I will also replace with Toyota original.
Have not replaced yet since purchasing new 5 years ago in July 2016. Have 45K miles on it. BTW, Gen 4 12V battery is completely different than previous, so comparison with earlier Gen's is not really useful in a Gen 4 setting.
At my Colorado Toyota Dealership, they charge around $195 for the battery but it's backordered until September. I found a dealership in Denver that has the sells the same OEM battery for $162...so that's a win!!
It would seem that battery life ought to have some correlation to geography. Cars living in mild climates should see longer average 12V lives than cars living with very hot summers or very cold winters.
Could be right - worst I had was a Mitsubishi Starwagon with the battery tucked right beside the engine under the seat - never had any cooling air, and was hot for hours after stopping. VW Kombis, it was in the airflow to the engine, VOLVO 244 similarly.
Very HOT climates are hard on batteries. COLD, however is not......to a point.......except WHILE it is cold there is some loss of capacity, which is temporary.
When the 'temporary' loss of capacity in cold weather means no start, but the vehicle still needs to operate while the cold winter weather continues for several more days / weeks / months, then waiting for the warm spring thaw is generally not acceptable. The battery no longer meets the vehicle's needs, so gets replaced right now.