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2013 Prius C battery died yesterday on me while driving?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Andrew Facchin, Sep 16, 2021.

  1. Andrew Facchin

    Andrew Facchin Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Base
    It still drives fine but with poor fuel economy, I'm guessing it has kind of become like a Toyota Yaris with a bit of extra weight because of the dead Hybrid battery? Personally I'd rather continue driving it as is except the warning lights in the picture below concern me a little bit.

    My car has 107,XXX kilometers on it which equals roughly 66,XXX miles. I'm feeling a little ripped off if I have to replace the Hybrid battery because that'll eat up all the savings I've had from the Hybrid battery and then some, so really what's the point in driving one of the these things?

    Thanks in advance for your replies.
     

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  2. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

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    My '13 C has 105,000 with original battery getting 45+ MPG with a heavy foot.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how are you defining poor fuel economy?

    i'm not sure why you think the hybrid battery is bad.

    toyota created the prius to produce lower emissions. i'm not sure what the point of driving one is
     
  4. burrito

    burrito Active Member

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    Are you sure the odometer reading is correct? My Prius has a falsified odometer reading (of course, I didn't realize this until after buying it).
     
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    First, you don't know that the traction battery is bad. What codes lit those lights? It could be corrosion in the wiring harness.

    Also, depending on when it first was bought and the length of the warranty in B. C., it might still be under warranty. If it's just out of warranty, and you have been having it serviced at a Toyota dealership, they might do a good will sort of thing and either cover it or help with it.

    But first, you need to know what's really wrong. Make sure the 12V is up to snuff and then put a Prius literate code reader on it. See where that leads.
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'll second that, but a little more strongly. It's not like, hmm, those lights might not mean the battery, it could be corrosion. The number of codes that can light those lights isn't just a couple possibilities like that. It's a couple hundred.

    That's why it's premature to speculate on what the car might be needing before finding out what the trouble codes are..
     
    jerrymildred and JohnPrius3005 like this.
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    It can't save you fuel for kms you never drove.

    What they said about your battery- It might be bad, but it'll take a little more detective work one way or another.

    An easy, early thing to check is to make sure the battery cooling fan (under left rear seat) is working and free of dust and hair.
     
    dubit and jerrymildred like this.
  8. Christopher Carson

    Christopher Carson Junior Member

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    My 2013 C has 152,000 miles on it. I drive mostly highway with slow acceleration and no hard stops. I get between 50 and 60 mpg depending on the season. Other than maintenance the only repairs I have done are a new 12v battery and the front brakes.
     
  9. Loupriusc

    Loupriusc New Member

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  10. Loupriusc

    Loupriusc New Member

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    My 2012 Prius C hybrid warning and check engine came on in yellow color 2 months ago. Took to dealer and a second opinion. Was told some cells are out of whack. Have to replace hybrid battery. Has 117,000 miles. I have been driving it fine. It still gets about 41mpg. Hybrid charge fluctuates between full charge and 3 bars down. Must still be using some electric. Will continue to drive till it dies but Was told I can't get it inspected. Hopefully won't get pulled over.
     
    bisco likes this.
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can certainly test the modules to find out which ones need to be replaced