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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When the IMA light illuminates, what does that 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.
Can the hybrid Honda Civic operate without an IMA battery?
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.
How much do IMA batteries cost?
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 durable are Honda IMA batteries?
The battery in your Honda hybrid is expected to last 6 to 10 years, or up to 100,000 miles. On Woodinville roads, other Honda hybrid battery options have a marginally longer lifespan of roughly 10 years or even closer to 150,000 miles.
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, “If my hybrid battery dies, can I still drive the car?,” and the answer is no. Whether you have a Ford Fusion or Toyota Camry Hybrid, your car will not start and you won’t be able to operate it until you repair or replace the battery.
How can a faulty IMA battery be identified?
No matter the brand or model, you’ll probably notice at least one of the following signs when the battery in a hybrid car starts to fail.
A decrease in fuel economy
If you’re not receiving the recommended gas mileage, the battery is probably on its way out. The hybrid vehicle’s battery serves to supply power to power your car. Therefore, when the battery starts to fail, your automobile switches back to using the gas combustion engine as its power source. An obvious symptom that the battery is failing is an increase in gas station stops.
Fluctuations in the state of charge
Does your display indicate a fluctuating charge? Does this mean your battery is fully charged at one point yet critically low at another? The battery in the car can be overcharging or unable to maintain a charge.
The battery’s not holding a charge
A clear indication that your hybrid vehicle’s battery need diagnostic care is when you park your car overnight and leave it charged, only to find it has a low battery when you get back in the morning.
The internal combustion system runs more than it should
An internal combustion engine that starts running more frequently than it should or starts up at odd times is trying to tell you something. It’s time to schedule a battery inspection for as soon as possible.
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 much does it cost to replace the hybrid battery in a Honda Civic?
As previously said, prices for hybrid batteries can vary greatly depending on the make and type, but the typical cost to replace a hybrid battery can be anywhere between $2,000 and $8,000.
What occurs if the battery in my Honda Civic Hybrid dies?
A dead hybrid battery cannot be revived with a high voltage battery charger. Therefore, simply start the engine and drive your car so the engine can recharge the battery if your battery is entirely depleted (no bars are shown on the dash charge indicator).
You can run the engine at 3,000 RPM to fast charge the battery by removing the #15 fuse from the under-the-hood fuse panel. The battery is fully charged when all of the status bars on the dash charge indicator are lit up.
Due to the presence of a normal 12-volt battery and starter motor in the engine compartment, a low or dead hybrid battery shouldn’t hinder your engine from starting. This mechanism starts the engine in cold conditions and acts as a backup for the hybrid battery.
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 gas station; their longer lifespan also means you’ll spend less money on maintenance.
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.
Honda hybrid batteries: are they dependable?
Honda introduced the first hybrid to the market with the Insight back in 1999, according to MSN, making some of the first hybrids roughly a dozen or so years old. As a result, several owners have surpassed the 100,000-mile barrier. If you belong to this group or own an old Civic hybrid, you are aware that the nickel metal hydride battery is probably starting to age. Does this imply that it’s time to retire your trusty hybrid?
In no way. Maintaining an old, trustworthy vehicle on the road may require replacing the battery. The majority of hybrids, even older ones, are very dependable and haven’t experienced the pricey power train issues that their more traditional counterparts have. While changing your batteries will cost you a little over $2000, replacing a transmission or two will be much more expensive.
Is buying a hybrid car worthwhile?
Take the difference in purchase price and divide it by the difference in annual fuel cost to determine whether a hybrid is cost-effective. That will tell you how many years of driving it will take to make up for the higher initial cost of a hybrid.
How frequently should hybrid batteries be changed?
How Frequently Should a Hybrid Battery Be Replaced? A hybrid automobile battery should be replaced every 15 years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first).
Honda discontinued the Civic Hybrid for what reason?
The Honda Civic Hybrid tiny car was discontinued for what was probably a number of factors combined. Sales of hybrid vehicles were not boosted by low gas prices in the same way that they are now by high prices. The Civic Hybrid constantly had low sales, thus the manufacturer probably couldn’t afford releasing a new model while the 10th-generation Civic was being developed in 2016. We can assume that the new Civic Hybrid will do better today given the status of the market and the unabated rise in petrol costs.