Hybrid Battery Survey-Gen2 Prius 2004-2009

New 2009 Prius owner here. I was wondering if it's hard on the battery (if it's showing purple or very little charge) overnight when it drops to -10f to -30f during the night. Should I try to get a fuller charge on the battery by leaving the car run for a bit when I get home from work? Seems like a waste of gas but if it helps towards battery life I would do it.

Jolly

 

Hi Jolly. Yes I believe in at least trying to limit the number of larger SOC swings where possible. I mean some large swings are going to be unavoidable, but limiting them where possible is probably going to help with an aging battery.

What are the circumstances which causes it to drop to low (purple) SOC in the first place? I find the best option is to try to address this aspect of the problem.

 

I suppose it's because I drive the last mile on my way home in EV only.

 

Is that EV mode via button or just by being virtue of low speed driving and a light foot? Are you in a country with EV button as standard equipment, or have you done the EV mod.

It's pretty hard to get the SOC down to 2 bars or less on a Prius with warm engine by just being light on the accelerator pedal.

 

I have no EV mode installed. Just being light on the accelerator during my last mile home to my farm on a gravel road with NO traffic at all! I suppose I could just continue to PnG . I've improved my MPG to 58 since joining this site. My commute to work (in rural Minnesota) is 6 miles. Got the glide part down prettty good but still confused about pulse. I've read here and on other sites to pulse "briskly" up to 41 mph and then glide. On the other hand, other comments made about pulse is to avoid using any use of the battery power to get to 41 mph. I'm finding that difficult to do if I am to accelerate "briskly". I don't understand.

 

You must pulse with the ICE ON, how much it's hard to say on GEN II, because it doesn't have HSI bar.

 

Yes, I realize that, but from what I've read one shouldn't let any battery power be used with the ICE during pulse - only ice and charging. I find that counter intuitive.

 

A guy here at work, has a 2004 and at 138,000 the traction battery failed, replaced under warranty at the dealership.
He says the mileage has improved, and has had no other problems.

 

On the gen2 the screen that shows where energy is coming from going to,
You want to, when coasting feather the accelerator so you don't see the screen doing anything, there's a point at which the ice is off and the screen shows no current being sent to the battery or from the battery, it's a learned habit, after watching the screen and learning when and where and how to do it, it can become 2nd nature, it happens around 30mph.

Tru, for best overall mileage when in traffic, accelerating briskly to speed and then maintaining speed will give the best results, unless one is hyper "miling" slowly

 

Yeah, I've been practicing the glide part (no arrows) and I believe I've got that part down. Should I be accelerating slowly (to get to the glide) so I don't use any battery power? Once again, when accelerating quickly, I see I'm using battery power. Driving a Prius is the most entertaining thing I've come across in my 60 years! And I've owned a LOT of cars!

 

Sorry, newbie here. Don't know what CARB means.

 

CARB stands for "California air resources board ". States that belong to this organisation get a 10 year 150,000 mile guarantee on emissions related parts. HV battery, catalytic converter, inverter,and transmission.

John (Britprius)

 

Thank You!

 

It would help others to help you if you put your location in your avatar. Lots of aspects of the Prius vary with location and this information also helps us to guide you to local recommended repairers and parts supplies when required.

John (Britprius)

 

good answer for further clarification I'm going to quote wikipedia

I guess the list for pre 2011 cars is

California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, as well as the District of Columbia

with 2011 adding new Mexico and 2012 adding Arizona.

When I first read it I parsed it as CA, then a list of 2012 states, then a list of 2011 states. Makes more sense to me if the other two states were added later to just put them at the end of the paragraph instead of mixed in the middle.

 

All right! I've added data to my avatar. Please bare with me. I'm learning every day. Think I'm becoming obsessed with this quest for information. And driving a Prius!

 

Bought my Prius new seven years ago and battery just failed at 96K+ miles. 5-6 of driving years done in hot AZ climate. Dealer says they are waiting for delivery of replacement battery which has to be shipped by Hazmat due to contents of battery. They have had the car since last Thursday. Hopefully I'll get it back today.

Curious to hear what others experiences have been regarding turn around time for the battery replacement.