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.
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The IMA light can you drive with it on?
Your automobile will probably continue to run without doing any long-term damage as long as your 12V battery light is not on. Some motorists commute for months without experiencing a serious incident. However, given there are risks involved, we do not advise that you use your vehicle while the IMA light is on.
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 Honda Civic is damaged?
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 does Honda Civic Hybrid’s IMA stand for?
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.
How much does a hybrid Civic battery cost?
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.
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.
How can I tell if my hybrid battery has to be replaced?
Here are four indicators that the battery in your hybrid automobile is failing:
- decreased fuel efficiency.
- inconsistent charging or a vehicle that loses charge.
- Engine operating more frequently than it should or starting up unexpectedly.
- Unusual engine noises
How long do the batteries in a Honda Civic Hybrid last?
Interested in the lifespan of a hybrid battery? The battery in your Honda hybrid is expected to last 6 to 10 years, or up to 100,000 miles.
How can my IMA light be reset?
Pull fuse #18 from the left door’s second row, fifth slot to reset. When put back in, it will positively recalibrate after about five minutes of driving.
Does the hybrid Honda Civic have two batteries?
It’s crucial that you understand how a hybrid automobile operates whether you already own one or are planning to soon. One of the fundamentals of how a hybrid operates is that it contains two separate batteries—a 12-volt lead-acid battery and an electric battery. Naturally, the two work together because that distinguishes a hybrid automobile from a conventional gas car or a totally electric car. And it’s crucial to understand the functions of these two batteries because doing so will be useful when it’s time to replace your hybrid battery.
The switch between the lead-acid and electric batteries is made so smoothly that it hardly registers. Both play crucial parts in the vehicle’s operation, yet their functions are unquestionably distinct from one another. The major battery is the electric battery, which distinguishes a hybrid car from a regular gas-engine vehicle. Regenerative braking, which includes the car’s kinetic energy being transferred back to stored energy when the brakes are applied, allows it to recharge.
On the other hand, the lead-acid battery requires gasoline, just like the battery in any car. The fact that a hybrid is only partially powered by gas is what distinguishes it from other vehicles and makes it so fuel-efficient. As a result, there are less emissions that harm the environment and fewer trips to the petrol station are required. In other words, you’re saving both the environment and your money at once!
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.
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.
How is an IMA battery tested?
You can visit the dealer to inquire about the IMA battery’s condition, and they will provide the following:
Alternately, you can get an HDS scanner (or HIM) and utilize the Honda Diagnostic System application to access the voltage on each module and a variety of other parameters.
However, I would advise visiting the dealer while there to verify the vehicle’s firmware update.
What is the battery warranty on a Honda hybrid?
So what is the battery warranty for a Honda? The New Vehicle Limited Warranty on your new Honda covers the original battery for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
What does it cost to replace a hybrid battery in labor terms?
A hybrid battery can be replaced for a wide variety of prices. This is due to the fact that every auto manufacturer employs batteries designed uniquely for their vehicles. Giving a single value for all hybrid batteries is therefore challenging.
Additionally, the materials used to make different hybrid batteries vary. Toyota, for instance, employs nickel-metal-hydride. Lead-acid sealed batteries may be used by other hybrids (SLA). And many modern automobiles now use lithium-ion batteries.
Because the cost of manufacturing each of these batteries varies, so do their replacement costs.
With that said, you can probably expect to pay between $1,000 and over $6,000 for a replacement hybrid battery. In addition, there will be charges for conditioning and testing on top of the price of the battery. These battery replacement process components can run you about $1,500.
Additionally, new batteries typically cost more than used batteries.
Not to mention work. The labor cost to replace a hybrid battery might occasionally reach $1,000 or more. In some cases, the labor cost to replace the battery will be higher than the cost of the replacement battery.
The labor and battery costs for a typical hybrid vehicle are probably less expensive than those for batteries for more specialized vehicles.
Labor Costs
A hybrid car battery replacement is different from a standard car battery replacement. The use of specialized tools and sufficient training are requirements for mechanics. A hybrid battery needs to be changed more frequently as well.
For instance, changing a battery in a Prius C can take up to three hours. For the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, changing a battery might take up to 6 hours.
It is clear that it will be challenging to estimate the labor costs for your hybrid after viewing the stark contrast between replacing batteries for just two distinct Toyota hybrids. Get a reliable labor cost estimate by speaking with your mechanic.