under the front seat’s right side.
In This Article...
What does “low 12 volt battery” on my Prius mean?
The low voltage (12V) battery (LV Battery), which is lower in size and charge capacity than those found in traditional drivetrain cars, is situated in the right portion of the back boot/trunk/baggage compartment.
This is because the LV battery’s primary function is to power on the Prius’ computers and is fed by the high voltage, high capacity battery when the “Ready” mode status has been enabled.
The following systems are fed by the LV Battery:
- Navigation and radio system
- Power steering through electricity (EPS)
- Dashboard
- Wipers
- water meter
- brake booster
- Lights
While the air conditioner compressor is mechanically connected to the high voltage battery, the oil pump is mechanically operated by the internal combustion engine (ICE). A further capacitor bank is attached to the brake pump.
It is not suggested to utilize the accessory mode for extended periods of time due to the number of systems linked to the 12V network and the reduced capacity of the 12V battery (whose primary function is to start the computers operating the HSD). For instance, it is desirable to keep the Prius in P(ark) when in Ready mode to allow the HV battery to feed the 12V network via the DCDC converter so that you can listen to the radio for longer periods of time (and if necessary start the ICE to re-charge the HV battery).
A second 12V battery can be connected to a special contact inside the engine bay to jump start the Prius if the LV battery becomes exhausted.
How do I tell if the 12V battery in my Prius is damaged?
- radio presets disappear when you power on your Prius.
- Failure to enter “Ready” mode while the odometer display shows flashing gear selections.
- Before starting, turn on the interior and exterior lights, which will then brighten once the Prius is in “Ready” mode.
- 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.”
- Pump for the coolant reservoir that starts out slowly but picks up speed once the Prius is in “Ready” mode.
- Inability to start up or no reaction while pressing the power button.
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 does a Prius’ 12-volt battery last?
Okay, now that we’re fully informed, HOW FREAKIN’ LONG DO PRIUS BATTERIES LAST!? we can hear you asking.
First off, there’s no need to shoutwe have arrived at last! Second, according to Toyota, a Prius battery will endure for 8 to 10 years or between 100,000 and 150,000 kilometers. However, some owners have reported getting far greater mileage than others, and vice versa.
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.
Do Prius vehicles have two batteries?
The Toyota Prius is typical among hybrid vehicles in having two batteries. a considerably larger high voltage hybrid system battery and a smaller 12-volt auxiliary battery.
When the hybrid system is not in Ready Mode, the 12V serves to start the car and to power the computer and accessories. Instead of powering the engine as you might anticipate, a hybrid’s 12V battery powers the computer, relays, ECU, and other components. The hybrid battery is actually the one who does the labor-intensive work of starting the engine. The 12V battery also serves to lessen the hybrid battery’s needless consumption by giving power to:
- Headlights
- audio devices
- auxiliary systems
- the use of computers
A few safety features are also offered by the 12V battery. The high voltage hybrid battery can be separated from the rest of the system when the car is not in ready mode thanks to the 12V. Therefore, in the event of an accident, the 12V helps reduce the likelihood of excessive voltage getting into the wrong places.
These 12V auxiliary batteries can be found either under the hood or in the trunk, depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Typically, they are built out of lead-acid or absorbed glass mat (AGM).
When ought my 12V battery to be changed?
Despite the fact that batteries can last up to five years or longer with adequate care, most automotive batteries lose their effectiveness after three years of regular use under normal circumstances. Every time your car’s battery is charged by the motor, it gradually degrades, just like the battery in your computer or smartphone does with each charge. It’s typically time to install a replacement after three years.
Most automotive batteries become almost completely unstable after four or five years. Numerous safety and reliability problems can be caused by outdated car batteries. Fortunately, it’s simple to tell if the battery in your automobile is getting close to the end of its useful life.
When ought a Prius 12 volt battery to 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.
What uses up a Prius battery quickly?
Your Prius battery may continue to degrade for other reasons besides a faulty battery. If something is drawing current while your automobile is parked, the battery could die after enough time. When the key is off, every modern car draws some current. That is typical. However, when left idle, the battery ought to last for at least a week.
If you have a multi-meter, checking for a key off the drain is simple. The positive lead must typically be moved to the positive terminal when setting the meter to measure amperage “on the meter, the amps port. Both leads should be connected to the battery terminal, with one lead going to the negative battery cable. To ensure that all current flows through the meter, disconnect the negative battery connection from the negative battery terminal. It will take some time for the current draw to decrease if you disconnected the wire before the meter was installed since body control processes will take some time to stabilize “Wake up, then take some time to fall back asleep. Close the rear hatch if necessary to keep the BCM from waking up.
What is a typical key off current draw? Well, for a Prius, about 25 mA is typical, but for any vehicle, up to 60 mA would be okay. The majority of people say that 80mA is the maximum, however I’ve never seen a car draw that much current without an issue or an aftermarket device using a lot of power.
What powers a hybrid’s 12V battery?
An internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors, which utilise energy stored in batteries, work together to power hybrid electric cars. The battery of a hybrid electric car cannot be charged by plugging it in. Instead, the internal combustion engine and regenerative braking are used to charge the battery. A smaller engine might be possible thanks to the electric motor’s added power. Additionally, the battery can reduce engine idling while stopped and power auxiliary loads. These features work together to improve fuel efficiency without compromising performance. Raise your knowledge of hybrid electric automobiles.
How can I tell if my 12 volt battery needs replacing?
2) Measure the voltage It’s likely that the battery encountered a short circuit if your battery is reading 0 volts. When a battery’s charge cannot rise above 10.5 volts, a cell is dead and the battery needs to be replaced. The battery is sulfated if it is fully charged (according to the battery charger) but the voltage is 12.4 volts or less.
What does a Prius’ auxiliary battery do?
In addition to the high voltage hybrid system battery, the majority of hybrid cars, including the Toyota Prius, also have a standard 12 Volt auxiliary battery.
The 12 volt battery is used to power the following instead of the traction motors or to start the engine:
How can a dead hybrid battery be used to start a Prius?
How to Leap a Prius: The Steps Step 1: To locate the jump start terminal, open the hood of your automobile and check under the fuse box cover. Step 2: Join your car’s positive terminal to the red positive jumper cord. Step 3: Join the second red positive cable to the helping vehicle’s positive battery terminal.
How long does a 12 volt battery last?
Manufacturers advise constantly replacing car batteries once those five years have passed; normal 12V car batteries last three to five years on average.
Can a Toyota Prius be jumpstarted?
Jump starting a gas-powered car is quite similar to jump starting a Prius or another Toyota hybrid. Jumper wires, a helping vehicle, and a solid metallic point are all that are required. Grab those supplies and consult the Frontier Toyota manual for instructions on how to jump start a Toyota Prius.