He is just full of it.......all the way up to his eye balls. For anyone who doubts that what he is saying is total BS, the next time you are in any store that sells automotive batteries, just LOOK at what is on the rack. "Sealed" batteries do NOT have filler caps.
advanced auto parts now excludes their battery brands for their coupons. And lately, advanced auto seems to not have their Prius batteries in stock lately. I’ve been going to Costco lately for battery replacements. Edit: looks like Costco don’t have Prius batteries in stock either according to online.
Yes, all wet cells have caps but it is written explicitly maintenance free. Even some brands AGM also have removable caps. It does not mean you are supposed to remove and add water. Most lead acid battery in Developed countries needs no maintenance even though people still can open it. I am wrong about VRLA terms, but most 12V battery are sealed and does not have to be VRLA type. Just sealed battery. Only in 3rd world countries they still sell maintenance required wet cell battery with primitive charging system. Adding water in wet cell may be fine but don't ever add water in AGM.
Good to know, i still can use coupon few years ago. I think for Prius it is not that easy to find because of smaller size and JIS terminal. i don't know what is the size in 2016. You can check Rockauto or Amazon or actual Toyota dealership in eBay. Some Toyota dealership listing their product in eBay and often offer better price than your local dealership. Just check their address or contact in eBay.
This is just STUPID. An AGM battery by definition is sealed. If it has caps, then it is NOT sealed......and not a real AGM. And it was proven maybe 30 years ago that a company's claim of "maintenance free" does not necessarily mean it is true. The truth then and now is that those batteries should properly be called "low maintanance". ANY vented battery that is subjected to high charging voltages over long periods will electrolize some of the water and it will be lost.
If I've got a conventional battery, with removable caps, and the electrolyte levels have dropped significantly, I'm going to top them up with distilled water. I mean, why not?
Yes, it is safe to add water on wet cell. Although it is very rare even in hot Florida. I checked once on my dying Nissan Altima battery after 5.5 years, the water was all still full, just normal wear. If you noticed white powder on the + terminal, it has been overcharged and may get some hydrolysis and water top off will help. White is lead sulphate, bluish is copper sulphate from the clams.
I don't remember id someone had post the link about 12V and HV maintenance Basically, remove the - terminal if parked more than 30 days and every 2 months Turn to READY mode for 30 minutes to avoid expensive HV battery rescue service. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10154807-9999.pdf Rescue Hybrid battery https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10213900-9999.pdf
I just replaced mine on my 2014. Rock auto was 200. I have read where people have used the I just replaced mine from RockAuto for about 200 bucks. But I have read where people are using the lawn mower batteries you just have to change the ends. The 12 volt battery is not used to actually crank the engine over so you don't need that many cranking amps. I just looked the other day and I can get one for about $89 at Walmart. We own 2 Priuses... The battery that went bad was on a 2014 when the one goes bad on the 2012, it will have a lawn mower battery on it.