Selecting the Proper Equipment for the Job
It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to find the appropriate instruments to inspect your hybrid battery. Getting an OBD2 adaptor is the first thing you should do. Check out this post on the Carista OBD2 Tool if you need help choosing one that will work for you.
Once you have this practical tool in your possession, you should download the Dr. Prius app for FREE from the Google Play or App Store (whatever your flavor). Open the app, plug your device into your Prius, and operate it. Many folks may become confused at this point. Check out this post on how to use the Dr. Prius app for additional in-depth information.
The fundamentals are that you must search for weak blocks and determine whether you have Delta SOC. You can detect if your battery is questionable based on these two factors. The battery life test in Dr. Prius is another cool feature. Expect that it is paid, yet it is really accurate.
In This Article...
Worse Fuel Economy
The exceptional fuel economy of the Prius is, for the majority of people, one of the key draws to owning one in the first place.
A Prius can travel far more miles on a typical tank of gas because it combines a gasoline engine and an electric motor.
Therefore, if you discover that your Prius’s once-fantastic fuel efficiency starts to decline, that could be a warning that the batteries are gradually losing capacity.
Well, it’s fairly simple, really. You see, the Prius’ batteries would have no trouble continuously supplying the electric motor with energy if they were in good condition and maintained their charge as they should.
Simply said, having healthy batteries in your Prius means you’ll be able to travel farther before engaging the gas engine.
But what if the Prius’ batteries weren’t performing as well as they used to?
The car would thus end up using the gas engine more frequently. It will consequently use up more of the fuel in its tank more quickly than usual.
Therefore, if your Prius starts using more gas than usual, that is typically a very telling sign of battery failure.
State of Charge Problems
Another expression you’ll frequently hear is “state of charge.” Simply put, that is a reference to the battery-life indicator on your Prius.
The Prius’s internal center console is normally where you can locate the state of charge indicator.
The light should read 100% when the batteries in your Prius are fully charged.
The batteries’ state of charge will decrease as you drive and their energy level decreases to reflect this.
Suppose the batteries in your Prius are deteriorating over time. If that’s the situation, you might see issues with their charge.
These unpredictable fluctuations in the status of charge are a blatant sign that your Prius hybrid’s batteries are failing, as they wouldn’t occur in a vehicle with healthy batteries.
Battery Can’t Hold A Charge
Your Prius’ batteries not holding a charge is just another telltale sign that they aren’t functioning as well as they once did.
In plainer language, that indicates that they continue to lose energy even after being completely charged.
Imagine, for instance, that you drove to work in your Prius first thing in the morning.
The battery of the car should often still be completely charged. The battery is, however, only at 75% or even lower.
A battery’s condition deteriorates when it can no longer maintain a full charge.
The battery will continue to lose more and more of its capacity to hold a full charge if you keep using it.
The only option left to you eventually is to completely replace the car’s battery.
The Combustion Engine Runs Often
The Prius is a hybrid car, thus it will mostly use its electric motor and only convert to its gas engine when it is essential.
The frequency with which the combustion engine starts up and takes over should be known to you if you’ve been driving your Prius for a sufficient amount of time.
Let’s say you observe that the gas engine is used more frequently than it once was. That is an obvious sign of a dead battery.
To put it simply, the car is unable to extract enough power from those batteries to run the electric motor.
Because of this, it is forced to convert to using the combustion engine, which is fuelled by the gas tank.
This will occur more frequently as the batteries continue to degrade, as you might anticipate.
Therefore, it is advised to change the Prius’ batteries when you find this is happening more frequently.
Unusual Engine Noises
As you can see from a few of the previous statements, the Prius’s excessive reliance on its internal combustion engine is a blatant sign of battery failure.
Your combustion engine will endure more wear and tear the longer that continues.
Additionally, it may cause unintended consequences or symptoms, such issues with the combustion engine.
Let’s say you let this to go on for a while. As a result, the gas engine can begin to experience issues of its own and might even start to make odd noises.
Keep in mind that as your Prius’ batteries wear out and it becomes more and more dependent on its combustion engine, it effectively becomes the same as any other conventional car on the road.
Accordingly, the chance of engine issues increases, just as it does for non-hybrid vehicles.
How can I tell whether my Toyota hybrid battery is in good condition?
Five indicators that your hybrid needs a new battery
- Less Miles per Gallon. You presumably monitor your gas mileage as an economical motorist.
- unstable engine input Another sign of a battery issue is irregular operation of your ICE.
- Charged in State.
- Charger issues.
- Unusual noises
Can a hybrid battery’s lifespan be tested?
You will need to locate a repair facility that has a scan tool that can collect real-time data from your hybrid battery for this test. The information required to complete the Stress Test will be provided by specialized diagnostic equipment like the “TechStream for Toyota or Aftermarket scan tool like Matco or Snap-on.
Finding a safe, empty back street to conduct the stress test is the first step. Once you are ready to begin the test, the technician will need to clear the Diagnostic Trouble Codes to ensure that the car is not in limp or low-propulsion mode. Your hybrid battery’s data is first gathered and recorded. Then, activate live data collection, drive at full speed for up to 30 mph, and then shift into neutral before braking to prevent the regenerative brakes from adding energy to the battery when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. This is done five times in a succession to test the battery’s capacity. You may now determine the true state of health of your hybrid battery using the information received from the live test. You will now be aware of when your hybrid battery has to be reconditioned.
Can a Prius be operated even with a dead hybrid battery?
In the event that the hybrid battery fails due to a P0A80, your Prius will still run, albeit more often. Since we lack the necessary amount of battery energy, the car will still run, but with less power. The automobile won’t start easily and won’t stop smoothly either.
Prius is a parallel hybrid, which means that even if one part breaks down, the car can still run until the problem can be fixed properly.
Yes, the Toyota Prius can continue drive even if the hybrid battery fails, to give you the quick answer. However, you will experience a worse drive and poorer fuel economy. Visit your dealer or a qualified company that can assist you in getting it back into working order if you run into this problem.
I sincerely hope that this is helpful to anyone who has experienced a bad hybrid battery. For extra assistance, feel free to contact us through the Toyota Prius Owners Club Facebook group.
What occurs if the hybrid Prius battery 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.
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 do you use a multimeter to test a Prius battery?
then carry out the subsequent actions:
- To accurately measure between 0 and 20 volts, set the multimeter’s scale to 20.
- Negative (black) meter probe should be connected to the negative (black) battery terminal.
- With the positive (red) one, repeat steps 2 and 3.
- Verify the reading from the multimeter. It is fully charged if the voltage is 12.6 volts.
A hybrid battery health check is what?
Want to learn more about safeguarding the Toyota hybrid’s engine? For more about our free* Toyota Hybrid Health Check, continue reading.
Your Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain blends the strength of two electric motors with the power of a gasoline engine to provide you with great fuel efficiency and quiet, nearly silent driving.
The hybrid system is easy to operate and incredibly reliable, according to our owners, but even so, this cutting-edge technology requires specialized knowledge to keep it in peak condition.
The Toyota Hybrid Health Check is the most effective approach to guarantee that your car is operating at its peak potential.
The health check consists primarily of a number of expert checks, such as the following:
We check your Toyota ‘traction’ battery’s state and condition. This battery, which is separate from the 12 volt starter battery required to start the engine, is what drives the wheels of your car.
The car’s fuel usage must then be verified in order to establish that the gasoline engine and electric motors are operating efficiently.
Finally, we check the hybrid cooling systems of the automobile to make sure everything is operating at the right temperature.
These examinations are performed by personnel who are regarded as hybrid technology authorities in all fields.
Our professionals will provide you with a thorough explanation of the test findings at the conclusion of the procedure so you can completely comprehend the state of your Toyota hybrid.
Additionally, a thorough and easy-to-read written report detailing the findings of your hybrid health check will be provided to you, allowing you to decide on any additional action you may believe is necessary.
How long do the hybrid batteries in the Toyota Prius last?
There is no denying that owning a Toyota Prius has a lot of advantages. You should be proud to own your hybrid, whether it’s for the increased fuel efficiency or the contribution you’re making to the industry’s shift toward smarter and greener technology. However, just as with all cars, your Prius’ battery will eventually need to be replaced. When will that be, though? How long do the batteries in a Toyota Prius last? There are a number of variables that will affect which end of the spectrum your battery life falls on, but the average estimate is that it will operate efficiently for 8 to 10 years, or anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles.
For many years, the Toyota Prius has been among the most well-liked hybrid vehicles, and one of those reasons is unquestionably its dependability. You can depend on these cars for years of excellent fuel efficiency, which will allow you to make fewer trips to the gas station and protect the environment. But the battery in your Prius will only function at peak levels for so long, so it’s critical to understand the variables that can shorten or lengthen its life.
For starters, the lengths you travel can affect your battery. If you routinely commute a considerable distance, your battery’s lifespan may begin to veer toward the lower end of the 810 year range. It’s also crucial to consider the weather you’re driving in, as walking through snow and ice might drain your battery due to the subzero temperatures.
How is a hybrid battery maintained?
Anyone committed to lowering their carbon footprint has either bought or is considering buying one of Toyota’s hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle is not only more cost-effective than a conventional vehicle in terms of gasoline and maintenance, but it is also better for the environment. The battery is the most important component of a hybrid car, and as a result, these batteries have an incredible lifespan that can range from five to ten years, depending on variables like driving patterns and how frequently the car is used. But if you take certain precautions, you might be able to prolong the life of your hybrid’s battery even further, which is why we at Westbury Toyota have compiled a short piece of advice for you to keep in mind.