Hello, 2011Prius I purchsed as certified used from dealer in 2015, that was a previous lease and had 32K. I've really enjoyed it while also maintaining as per Toyota schedule, but I don't always take it to the dealer which happens to be in my neighborhood. I also have a reliable independant who is 25 miles away who worked on my past Nissan and Honda vehicles before I retired and I still use the independant to bounce off the suggestions dealer throws out and it's worked thus far. 98K on it now and recently in the past 2 week have had the 100k service, but still need spark plugs, coolant and engine inverter drain and flush that I was planning for March. But, yesterday afternoon always garaged and not driven in 2 days, car would not start and the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Called road service, not triple A. He showed up with a battery pack? jumper kit. It took him 5 minutes. To tell you the truth, I thought he would access the place to jump it under the hood, even though I've known a big battery was under the backseat as well. So, I wondered how he would back the car out as its's a tiny slim 1 car garage. To my surprise, he opened the trunk and accessed what I now know is the 12V battery and promptly started the car and said to drive it 30 miles. He asked if it was the original battery and I assumed it was. He said I need a new battery and that it would probably cost me $1k and that he would install it for $400. I like to read and research before I throw the $$ out there. Once it was started and I got on the road for for my destination 25 miles away, I called my independant and asked him how many batteries were in my car and he said one! I'm not one to argue with the expert but I told him my story afore mentioned and he said their batteries, Interstate, are expensive and that I could probably find the best deal at Costco. If they don't install, he would do it for me. I asked how much for install. Said he would just do it, nice. Got home late last evening and even left my car running most of the evening before I returned home because I was afraid it wouldn't start again. Got on Costco website, plugged in my vehicle year, make, model and it came back with $224.29 Interstate S46B AGM 2011Toyota Prius L4 1.8L Hybrid Auxillary Battery. I'm praying it starts this morning so I can get it somewhere I can trust to tell me which battery needs to be replaced. The hybrid battery pack or the 12V battery? Should I have them diagnostically checked first? I'm in need of a little direction or reassurance that it's not the hybrid battery (under the backseat) that needs replacing. I think the tow guy spouting out $1k for a new battery threw me off. This is my first post although I've been a member for 5 years and have used Prius chat as a resource along my Prius journey, so I do thank you all.
Call your local dealer and ask them how much the battery would cost. I'm sure it's going to be no where near $500.....or the crazy $1000 quoted by the crazy auto guy. The part price is around $200-$250. and add dealership labor. I'm in Orange County tomorrow and I would install this for $50 and take 10 minutes of your time. Just buy the part at the dealership
You have two different batteries: One is the hybrid (sometimes called the traction) battery that drives the electric motors to move the car (like a conventional engine (kind of)). The second one is basically just like a starting battery in a conventional car (that’s the one the guy jumped). It is a 12 volt battery and like a conventional car it will require replacement periodically. That’s the one you need to have replaced and on the newer ones (not sure on yours) if you buy it at the dealership AND the dealership installs it, you get two year 100% replacement on it, then prorated for the remainder of the warranty. In your situation I would strongly suggest you have the dealership replace it to be sure you get the correct one. That way the charging algorithm will be correct and the dealership can reset any systems that need to be reset after a power loss. Check your owners manual for information about 12 volt battery power loss for more information.
