You must determine whether you want to keep the vehicle’s electricity on at all times before beginning the work. Even while it won’t be a big deal, if you don’t retain power, you’ll lose things like radio presets and power window limits. Both errors can be easily fixed by entering the radio information once more and repeatedly raising and lowering the windows.
You’ll need jumper cables or a battery charger, a second battery (perhaps in another car), if you wish to prevent this minor issue. Once the power supply is connected, follow the instructions in the section below. Please pay attention to the warning there.
- Open the hatchback and take out any floor mats you may have there. Get rid of the carpet and the covering on the secret storage area.
- The spare tire may be seen by removing the plastic storage container.
- In the back of the trunk, under a piece of plastic molding, is where you’ll find the battery. Molding should be released and taken out. The battery will be made visible in this way.
- A square air duct used to cool the primary driving battery crosses the top of the battery. It must be taken out before the battery can be removed since it is far too close to the battery to allow removal. Behind the side carpeting on the automobile, there is a 10 mm bolt, and there is another one closer to the middle. The duct can then be worked out and put aside after raising the carpeting high enough to reach the bolt and remove it along with the second bolt.
- Moving the brake controller, which is located directly inside the vehicle next to the battery, will make the task much simpler. It is fastened with three 12 mm bolts; take out the bolts, then carefully move the object away. Take care not to pull too hard on the wires that are still linked to it.
- Remove the plastic casing covering the terminal as well as the positive cable from the battery. Open the terminal slightly by loosening the 10 mm bolt and using a screwdriver or tiny pry bar. Lift the terminal straight up, taking great care not to let it touch any of the car’s components. To stop it from shorting to the car body and to put it out of the way, cover it with an old glove or wrap a cloth around it.
- The bar that runs over the top of the battery is the battery hold down. Remove the hold down by unscrewing the 10 mm bolt and 10 mm nut that are located on either side of it.
- The negative terminal can be removed from the car’s body rather than the battery, which will be simpler. It is secured to the automobile by a 10 mm bolt, which is much simpler to access than the bolt on the terminal itself. Fold the wire over the battery after removing that bolt.
- On the battery’s forward side, there is a vent tube. Without removing it from the vehicle, remove the tube from the battery and set it aside.
- Remove the negative battery terminal and wire from the battery by lifting it out of the automobile. Before removing it, pay attention to how it is directed.
In This Article...
How much does a Prius 12 volt battery replacement cost?
The DS46B24R by OPTIMA, which lists at $237.99, is most likely a direct-fit 12-volt replacement battery for your Toyota Prius. Most people can replace this battery on their own.
Can you change the battery in a Prius by yourself?
You might be tempted to try replacing your Toyota Prius’ battery on your own when the time comes in a world full of how-to manuals and continual encouragement to take on DIY projects around the house. However, you shouldn’t play around with it because a lot can go wrong. Instead, it is preferable to let experts handle the Toyota Prius hybrid battery replacement on your behalf. This will make you much happy and safer.
There are numerous reasons why replacing the battery in your Toyota Prius hybrid yourself is a terrible idea. It’s quite perilous, to start. Given the high voltage involved, you run the risk of endangering yourself if you don’t have the necessary skills and experience to do such a replacement operation. Additionally, attempting to complete the replacement without the right diagnostic tools can result in issues. And if something goes very wrong, it can result in damage to your Prius, which would be very expensive for you. Even if you paid a professional to execute the work, the potential expenses of harm would be much higher than what you would spend.
How frequently should the 12 volt Prius battery be changed?
The Toyota Prius features two batteries inside: a sizable 200-volt battery for driving the vehicle in electric mode and a smaller 12-volt battery for accessories like lights and radios. The purpose of this article is to explain how to swap out the smaller, 12-volt battery.
This battery is more difficult to install or change than the ones in the majority of autos. There are numerous objects blocking the path from finishing the work, and it is hidden in the trunk rather than under the hood. Nevertheless, as long as you know where it is and what must be done to gain access to it, it is not extremely challenging. The average homeowner should have no trouble completing the task, and it shouldn’t take too long. A mechanic with some experience who had never changed a Prius battery completed the changeover depicted in the photographs in roughly a half-hour.
The Prius’ battery will eventually wear out, just like any other car battery. It typically lasts for 5 to 6 years, but it can last longer. Unfortunately, it weakens if left in place for too long and will stop working considerably sooner if the automobile isn’t driven every day. A battery that is too old might also reduce the amount of petrol your Prius uses since the car will keep trying to recharge it to full status even though the battery is no longer capable of receiving a full charge. That uses fuel, fuel that could be used to move the automobile instead of being wasted trying to charge a partially dead battery.
How can I tell if the 12 volt Prius battery is damaged?
- Inability to start up or no reaction while pressing the power button.
- Before starting, turn on the interior and exterior lights, which will then brighten once the Prius is in “Ready” mode.
- radio presets disappear when you power on your Prius.
- Pump for the coolant reservoir that starts out slowly but picks up speed once the Prius is in “Ready” mode.
- Failure to enter “Ready” mode while the odometer display shows flashing gear selections.
- The multi-function display (MFD) is displaying an error warning that reads, “The transmission’s “p” lock mechanism has a malfunction. Put the parking brake all the way down and park your automobile on a level surface.”
Note that there are additional odd problems that can arise when the 12-volt battery becomes low; this is not meant to be an exhaustive list.
How long do 12 volt batteries in a Prius last?
How long do hybrid batteries actually last as you relax in your hybrid while listening to the buzz of your engine?
A hybrid battery has a different lifespan than a car battery, which you may already be aware of. Read on to find out how long your hybrid battery should last and what you can do to prolong it.
How Long Do Hybrid Batteries Last?
You will save tens of thousands of dollars annually on fuel thanks to a hybrid battery. Others rush to fill up at the petrol stations. You use the garage outlet to charge your car and go to the gas stations half as often as your neighbor.
However, you will eventually need to pay money to either fix or replace the pricey hybrid battery that has been so helpful to you for thousands of miles.
The majority of hybrid vehicle producers claim that a battery will last 80,000 to 100,000 kilometers. However, hybrid owners have reported that some batteries live up to 150,000 miles and even up to 200,000 miles with the proper maintenance and fundamental vehicle repairs.
An owner typically keeps a hybrid vehicle for 5 to 15 years when the battery mileage is high.
What Affects Your Hybrid Battery Life?
How frequently you drive your automobile directly affects the battery’s longevity. For instance, if you drive for Uber or Lyft, you probably log several hundred miles in your car each week. The same holds true if you work as a salesperson or are a road warrior who uses their automobile as their office.
Compare a salesperson who logs 100 miles per day in his automobile to a person who commutes 20 miles per day. A long commuter won’t put as much strain on a hybrid battery as a road warrior. The battery will age more quickly if it does more cycles in a shorter period of time.
Your battery will appear to last considerably longer if you merely cycle it a few times per day while you commute.
Age Matters
In as little as five years from the time you first bought the battery new, you could need to replace your hybrid battery. The length of time, though, mostly relies on how you utilize your car.
In as little as five years, the battery in a car that is used often on lengthy trips will need to be replaced. However, if you use your car exclusively and don’t frequently take it on lengthy drives, your battery may endure for 10 or 11 years.
Milage Matters
It’s only a number, age. Battery life depends on both age and the number of miles you put on it.
In principle, a battery in a 2005 Prius with 150,000 miles will be better than one in a 2011 Prius with the same amount of miles. The 2011 automobile has completed more cycles in a shorter amount of time. This indicates that the 2011 Prius has experienced faster, more intensive cycling.
Because the 2011 Prius was driven more vigorously than the 2005 Prius, its battery has suffered more damage.
Is Your Battery Balanced?
Several factors can cause hybrid batteries to malfunction. They frequently fail because the equilibrium of particular cells with other cells is off.
For instance, a standard Toyota Prius from the 20-series has 28 separate cells that have about 6500 mAh. Over time, the battery’s capacity will decrease to as little as 1500 mAh.
However, the disintegration may not always occur equally. Some batteries can go as low as 1500 mAh, while others can still reach 5000 mAh.
The hybrid battery will wear out more quickly if you have unbalanced cells than if you have a battery with balanced cells.
Do You Service Your Hybrid?
In hybrid automobiles, an electric battery and a gasoline engine are two separate power systems that cooperate with one another. Your engine will consume more fuel than necessary if it is not operating efficiently. You’ll get better fuel economy.
If your engine isn’t working properly, your hybrid battery will have to put in more effort. As a result, if you don’t give your engine routine maintenance, your hybrid battery will wear out sooner.
Ironically, you could be tempted to forgo routine maintenance on a car like a Prius because its mechanical condition is normally rather good. After all, the engine will sound nice and appear to not require routine maintenance from a mechanic.
But as a result, your Prius battery can degrade more quickly. Your battery will last longer if you place your automobile on a regular maintenance schedule.
You should have your automobile serviced every 5,000 miles if you use it for business purposes, such as driving for Uber, or if you frequently travel great distances for work. Have your car serviced every 6,200 miles if you only use it for short commutes.
According to Toyota, a hybrid battery will last for roughly 8 years. The battery’s lifespan will most likely depend on how you treat your car.
You could be deterred from sending your automobile to the mechanic on a regular basis by the cost of routine maintenance. Consider the price of a new battery, though. This should motivate you to frequently invest a few dollars on maintenance in order to extend the lifespan of your hybrid battery.
Consider having your battery reconditioned and rebalanced from the start if you’re looking to buy a used hybrid. Giving a hybrid battery a proactive reconditioning and rebalancing will ensure the longest life possible.
Recharge Responsibly
Your hybrid battery’s lifespan is also impacted by how quickly you recharge it. A hybrid battery will degrade more quickly the more you recharge it. On the other hand, your battery depletes more quickly the more you drive.
The manufacturer’s recommended charging time should be followed. Never charge less or more than what the automaker suggests.
Think of your car’s battery as being similar to your phone’s. When you originally bought it, it operated perfectly, keeping a charge for more than a day. Now you need to plug it in by mid-afternoon since the battery is dwindling.
The battery on your car is no different. It will lose charge over time and require extra charging. Charge it only as much as necessary, though, to make the most of what you already have.
Weather Matters
A hybrid battery’s longevity is significantly impacted by extreme cold and heat.
Owners have found that hybrid engines perform less effectively in cold temperatures than they do in settings that are more comfortable. If you reside in a chilly area, you are aware of the necessity of starting your car to warm it up before leaving on a trip. Car owners often let their vehicles run for 15 to 20 minutes before pulling them out of the driveway in really cold conditions.
In bitterly cold temperatures, it takes a while for hybrid engines to warm up. However, an early start will merely warm up the gas engine. On very chilly mornings, hybrid owners claim that it takes them longer to warm up their vehicles than the average motorist.
Even then, the engine often operates below its optimal fuel efficiency once the automobile is ready to move.
Hybrids generally struggle in the snow and ice. Snow calls for a vehicle that is heavier and has more rolling resistance than a typical hybrid tire.
Because of this, a hybrid needs to work more to go through snow, and its owner will need to fill the tank more frequently.
Additionally, to keep the roads dry and clear in a snowy environment, road workers utilize snow-clearing chemicals. These substances will accumulate on the car’s exterior and may clog the grill. Due to the engine’s reduced ability to breathe, the hybrid once more experiences low fuel efficiency.
Your battery won’t freeze even if you live in a very cold climate. Your battery might not last as long as it would if you lived somewhere with a constant temperature, though. Hybrids also dislike conditions that are too hot.
At 110 degrees, a hybrid battery can start to lose its effectiveness. Ensure the ventilation of your hybrid battery. Some hybrid vehicles include batteries underneath the passenger seat; as a result, the ventilation system in the vehicle keeps the battery aired.
As a result, you must always ensure that your car has a clean air filter.
How to Extend Your Hybrid Battery Life
While a battery typically lasts 8 years, some batteries can last up to and even past 10 years. The lifespan of your battery could easily be impacted by how you handle it.
Maintain a Schedule
Regular non-hybrid cars require the same amount of maintenance as hybrid vehicles. So follow the same maintenance regimen for your hybrid as you would for a non-hybrid vehicle.
When a car seems to work smoothly or when money is a little tight for a month, owners are more likely to ignore a maintenance schedule.
Do not disregard routine maintenance. A hybrid battery replacement might cost between $1,000 and $6,000. Compared to a routine maintenance visit for your hybrid, this costs a lot more.
Have your battery evaluated once it has been in your car for more than 80,000 miles or 8 years. then make a plan to bring your car in for a regular battery checkup once every 12 months.
Keep the Battery Cool
In order to keep your hybrid’s battery cool, you should have an auxiliary battery system. Regularly clean this auxiliary fan. The fan blades normally have an oily coating, and dust adheres to the oil. Dust will build up as a result, obstructing the airflow to your battery.
A battery’s life is reduced if it is warm as opposed to cool. To extend the life of your batteries, keep your auxiliary fan clean.
Screen Your Battery
Your petrol engine will operate more smoothly if you maintain your car regularly, which relieves pressure on the electrical battery. Have the service center routinely examine the condition of your hybrid battery as well to maintain your battery.
A hybrid auto repair business with competence in reconditioning batteries can restore poor cells to over 97 percent of their original strength. You can save thousands of dollars on a new battery with a simple reconditioning.
But you’ve waited too long if you waited until the check engine light came on. Do not hold off until the dashboard illuminates. Today, bring your automobile in for an inspection.
Why Do Some Batteries Last Longer?
There is a reason why your neighbor’s hybrid battery usually lasts years longer than yours, in case you’ve ever wondered why. Simply said, some batteries are better manufactured than others. Some individuals do, however, simply understand how to extend the life of a battery.
Auxiliary Fan System
Your battery’s temperature plays a role in preserving its life. The battery will stay cool if the auxiliary fan system is effective. In order to protect the battery from overheating, it sprays fresh air over it.
Battery Detection Software
Software created by some manufacturers can indicate that a battery is low even if it has not yet reached zero. There, according to manufacturers, is the optimum range for battery recharge capacity. You have found the sweet spot if you do not allow the charge to fall below 20 percent or rise above 80 percent.
Any percentage below 20% is too low, and any percentage beyond 80% is too high. Therefore, businesses have developed software to alert you to recharge your battery as it approaches 20% so you do not let it fall below that level. The same software will inform you when your battery reaches 80 percent that it is fully charged.
What About a Prius Battery Life?
One of the best examples of how hybrid vehicles function is the Toyota Prius. According to Toyota, the battery should last the entire life of the vehicle. Whatever the case, it ought to last for more than 150,000 miles or ten years.
The best part is that when you change a Prius battery, you have choices. You can choose from reconditioned batteries instead of having to budget $4,000 for a brand-new battery.
The Longest Lasting Battery
How long do hybrid batteries last? can be answered at this point. The best part is that you know what to do to extend the life of your battery to its maximum potential.
Make an appointment with us or simply look at our services if you need a mechanic who can maintain and service your hybrid.