Between the engine and transmission is an electric motor that makes up the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. The motor’s primary function is to help the engine accelerate, eliminating the need for a bigger, less fuel-efficient engine. The vehicle can only be operated with an electric motor in sluggish, parking lot-style motion, and the electric motor initiates motion when the engine is idle and stopped. The electric motor transforms into a generator as the car slows down and brakes, producing electricity that is then re-stored in the battery. See the video to find out more.
Not all models may be covered by the content. For detailed information regarding your, refer to your owner’s handbook.
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Can I operate my hybrid Honda Civic while the IMA light is on?
It’s probably time to change your hybrid battery when your IMA light illuminates. You can probably get away with driving your automobile in this condition for the time being, but there are certain risks, therefore we’d prefer you to be safe than sorry.
What does the Honda Civic Hybrid’s IMA light mean?
The hybrid technology created especially for Honda hybrids is known as IMA, or Integrated Motor Assist. This indicator light typically indicates that you need to replace your entire battery or perform maintenance on your battery pack.
What occurs if the IMA battery fails?
Hybrid cars frequently include two batteries: the hybrid battery and a smaller battery that powers the vehicle’s electronics. It is still possible to drive even if the smaller battery is dead.
You have a far bigger issue, though, if your hybrid battery dies. You might be wondering, “Can I still drive the car if my hybrid battery dies? No, is the response. Whether you have a Ford Fusion or a Toyota Camry Hybrid, you won’t be able to start your car and use it until you fix or replace the battery.
The Honda Civic Hybrid’s IMA battery is located where?
For many Honda owners, the battery failure issues in the first and second generation Honda Civic Hybrids have become a big concern. Premature battery failure, which frequently is NOT covered by warranty, has been the issue. 2003 to 2005 Civic Hybrids (1st generation) and 2005 to 2011 Civic Hybrids are the impacted models (2nd gen).
The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system’s high voltage hybrid battery is housed behind the back seat. The battery in the first-generation Civics is a 144-volt nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery. The 158.4 volt NiMH battery in the second generation Civic Hybrids is more potent. According to reports, the second generation Civics have a higher failure rate than the older models.
The Honda Civic IMA battery in Honda Civic hybrids has an average lifespan of only seven years, and in rare cases, significantly less. The high voltage hybrid battery in the Toyota Prius, by contrast, has shown to be incredibly robust and problem-free.
According to The LA Times, more than 4% of the hybrid batteries in California Civics have needed to be replaced for a variety of reasons, which many officials deem to be an unacceptable rate.
What is the price of an IMA battery?
Honda used to be the magazine Consumer Reports’ favorite brand of car since all of its models consistently had testing results that were above average.
The 2012 Honda Civic was the first Civic we can recall that CR didn’t recommend, partly because of a redesign that was hurried to market to save money. This diminished the publication’s excitement for the Honda brand.
Consumer Reports has just reported that earlier Honda Civic Hybrid cars, which were previously thought to be trustworthy, may experience early high-voltage battery pack failures.
The Consumer Reports April edition takes a look at the dependability of hybrid vehicles, as Autoguide explains. In comparison to the competition, the earlier Honda Civic Hybrids, especially the 2009 model, fall short.
Nearly 20% of 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid owners needed a battery replacement during the course of a 12-month survey, compared to over 10% for 2003, 2004, and 2010 Civic Hybrid vehicles.
The price of replacing the battery that powers the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology for owners outside of warranty can range from $2,000 to $4,000. That’s a significant outlay for a non-luxury car that’s less than ten years old.
The IMA drive battery’s warranty has been extended via a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), however Honda has not made an official remark on the subject.
While automobiles initially sold with an eight-year, 80,000-mile guarantee are now covered for nine years or 96,000 miles, cars originally offered with a ten-year, 100,000-mile warranty are now covered for eleven years or 137,000 miles.
The guarantee is also extended to customers who have already changed the drive batteries, but it is just for an additional three years or 36,000 miles.
The carmaker asserts that a software update (for Civic Hybrid vehicles built in 2006–2008) contributed to the IMA battery’s increased longevity, and it makes the commitment to “continue to give our customers with the most advanced technology as it becomes available.
Especially outside of the new and extended warranty coverage, that offers little consolation to the customers who have had to replace their IMA batteries.
How can I tell if the hybrid battery in my Civic is bad?
The battery in your hybrid automobile will eventually need to be replaced. But how will you know when it’s time to act? In any case, it’s critical that you are aware of the warning signals that a hybrid battery is failing. Because it’s obviously preferable to spend money on a replacement battery now rather than wait until your car is completely dead and could leave you stranded. Here, we’ll assist you in interpreting a few key signs.
First, your miles per gallon will definitely drop significantly (MPG). Your battery may be nearing the end of its useful life if you find yourself making more frequent excursions to the petrol station. Second, it’s possible that your battery isn’t keeping a charge as long as it formerly did. The final sign that it’s time to replace your hybrid battery is that your car may be making strange noises.
What occurs if the hybrid battery in a Honda Civic dies?
When a hybrid vehicle’s battery begins to fail, the vehicle’s fuel efficiency may suffer or its ability to hold a charge may be compromised. The automobile won’t start when the battery is entirely dead.
What is the IMA battery life?
Remember that the 10-year/150,000-mile guarantee on the Honda Insight’s IMA battery means that the typical model should travel at least that far before the battery pack may need to be replaced. With the right maintenance and care, it will frequently last a lot longer.
Does it make sense to swap out a hybrid battery?
They might also inquire as to whether an investment in a hybrid battery is worthwhile. Hybrid batteries, on the other hand, won’t just save you money over time by lowering your trips to the petrol station; their longer lifespan also means you’ll spend less money on maintenance.
How much does a hybrid battery replacement cost?
Costs of Replacing Hybrid Batteries and Other Factors Hybrid battery repair costs can range from $2,000 to $8,000, but keep in mind that by the time a driver’s battery needs to be replaced, the majority of them have already sold their car.
Can a Honda Civic hybrid be used without a battery?
There are several advantages to owning a hybrid car, with exceptional fuel efficiency being one of them. But the overriding truth of owning a hybrid is that, yes, you will eventually need to change its battery. A hybrid’s battery eventually reaches the end of its useful life, just like any other vehicle. What then do you do when that occurs? Of course you ought to spend money on a hybrid battery replacement. You might be curious, though, if a hybrid automobile can function without the hybrid battery before you can complete the installation. We’ll respond to that for you.
Both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor power hybrid vehicles, with the latter drawing power from the primary hybrid battery. Regenerative braking, which is the mechanism by which the vehicle’s kinetic energy is converted back to stored energy when the brakes are applied, keeps this battery charged and keeps the engine running. The benefits of increased fuel economy come from the reduced reliance on gasoline as a result.
Therefore, if the main hybrid battery in your car dies, you won’t be able to successfully drive it, as you can probably tell now that you understand how a hybrid vehicle functions. While you might initially consider using a 12-volt jumper to get the car started, you’ll quickly realize that the main, high-voltage battery is absolutely necessary for the vehicle to function properly. Therefore, working with a reputable business to replace your battery is the best course of action when your battery starts to fail.
How much does it cost to replace the hybrid battery in a Honda Civic?
How much does a hybrid battery cost is the major query. The cost to replace a hybrid battery might vary greatly depending on the type or model, but on average it can be between $2,000 and $8,000.
How long do the batteries in a hybrid Civic last?
For many years in the 2000s, the Honda Civic Hybrid was a highly recommended hybrid car, but as time went on, the batteries in some of the later models began to fail early. The battery life of the Honda Civic hybrid, in particular, was a major shortcoming for the 2009 and 2010 models. A hybrid battery typically has a lifespan of six to ten years, and by law, they have a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles.
Unfortunately, after just three or four years, many drivers were reporting faulty batteries.
The first red flags were raised in 2013 when almost one in three drivers reported that they had to replace their hybrid battery within the previous year, which Consumer Reports dubbed a “shocking failure rate.” One of the first to offer some much-needed competition to the Prius-obsessed hybrid industry, it was a blot on an otherwise trustworthy and even adored brand.
The Honda Civic’s Integrated Motor Assist system was powered by the hybrid batteries in the car, and Honda eventually provided a software update that increased the battery life. New hybrid batteries cost between $2,000 and $4,000 for drivers whose batteries failed outside of the warranty period. The expense of battery replacement effectively offset the $3,400 in tax savings that many American hybrid drivers received during those years.
Fortunately, Honda took proactive action to address the Civic’s battery problems, in contrast to some other automakers who shall remain nameless (but you know who you are). In addition to releasing the software patch, the business also published a Technical Service Bulletin in 2012 that increased the battery’s warranty from seven to eleven years or 137,000 miles. Even consumers who had already replaced their battery on their own were given a three-year, 36,000-mile limited guarantee on the new battery.
Although many devoted Honda consumers were disappointed by the reduced Honda Civic hybrid battery life, the vehicle’s strong warranty coverage helped many drivers cover the costs. Anyone who bought or replaced a hybrid in 2008 or 2009 should start making replacement plans now that it is 2016.
Hybrid drivers should have a strategy in place for changing their battery at some point, even if the warranty is no longer in effect. New hybrid batteries are now less expensive than they once were.
High Voltage system repair costs may be more expensive.
Although hybrid cars may need less frequent maintenance, they can be expensive to repair when something goes wrong, especially if the high voltage system is involved. Depending on the battery type and the precise make and model of your vehicle, replacing a dead or damaged high voltage battery could cost thousands of dollars.
Hybrid vehicles are loaded with complicated parts in addition to the usual technology found in ICE vehicles, including massive high voltage battery packs, inverters, electric motors, and enhanced cooling systems. Hybrid repairs can be more expensive because of these intricate mechanisms, and not all mechanics have the tools and expertise to fix them correctly.
Fortunately, Firestone Complete Auto Care mechanics are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out everything from routine maintenance on hybrid cars to repairs to high voltage systems. Today, give your neighborhood Firestone Complete Auto Care a call to see if they provide these high voltage system repairs.