Do you wonder how often to replace Prius 12v battery? let’s go through a few things you need to know about the battery life of Prius.
The battery life of a Toyota Prius solely depends upon how and how much you have used it. You cannot tell exactly when to change it unless you are aware of the miles and conditions in which it has been driven.
When you get a brand-new Prius, you would get a warranty of 8-10 years or 100,000-150,000 miles. Replacing the battery within this period of warranty wouldn’t cause you a penny.
However, it is not mostly required as the battery usually starts wearing out after 10 years, if not overused.
The Battery of The Toyota Prius
What kind of 12v battery does a Prius use? The battery pack of Toyota Prius is a hybrid battery pack. So, it is highly expensive.
No doubt an electric car like Prius would save you from all the fuel-related expenses, however, if you like going on long trips, you might need to change your battery and buy a new one.
A hybrid battery consumes two types of energy and fuel sources, a gasoline engine and a battery pack, to make the machine run.
A car can be mild to full hybrid depending upon the ability of the electric components of the hybrid vehicle to directly control the wheels of the vehicle.
Prius is a full hybrid car. The battery packs directly drive the wheels without a gasoline engine being required.
Furthermore, the Prius hybrid is available in two models. One of them is a regular hybrid model while the other one is a plug-in hybrid model.
The Lifespan of Toyota Prius Battery
If you wonder that how often do you need to change the 12v battery in Prius, then you need to understand a few things.
Replacing the Prius battery might be required in 10 years or sometimes in 20 years. No matter how much time and miles it takes, keep in mind that at some point you will need to replace the battery.
Because like all batteries, it wears out once it has been used to its limits and ultimately it dies. But how would you know that the battery of your Prius is dying?
There are a few symptoms that indicate that it is time to change the battery. These symptoms are the following;
1. Battery charge quickly depletes
If you experience a very quick depletion of the battery charge, it might be an indication that the battery’s time is over now.
2. The battery doesn’t kick in
If you feel that the battery is not kicking in the way it used to kick in. it’s time to replace it.
3. Fuel economy worsens
When you experience that the fuel economy is getting worse, this is an indication that the battery is not working properly.
4. Electrical fluctuations
When it’s time to change your Prius battery, you will start experiencing unusual electrical fluctuations in the battery.
Since a full hybrid battery directly controls the vehicle’s wheels through the electronic components, you will feel a difference in the driving conditions as well.
5. How to Increase the Battery life of Prius?
You can make the battery of the Prius run longer by taking care of it. You can do this in the following few ways;
Don’t let the hybrid battery be fully depleted before charging it.
Overcharging the battery will result in thermal load, thus reducing the shelf life of the battery. so, when the battery is full, stop charging.
Take care of your car’s battery by routinely taking it for maintenance. The life of a Prius 12v battery is also negatively affected by any damage caused due to a car accident.
In this case, you have to take the car to the workshop to find out whether the battery can be repaired or it’s time to get a new one.
Like any other part of your car, the battery also requires proper care to run longer. With proper maintenance and all, you won’t need to replace the 12v Prius battery before 10 years.
How Do I Know If My Prius 12V Battery Is Bad?
When it is time to replace your Prius battery, you can take the following measures to check if it is bad.
Inspect the battery for bulging. A bulged battery will indicate that it is leaking and needs to be replaced soon.
Check the surface of the battery for corrosion. A great amount of corrosion on the contacts will suggest that it is time to replace the battery.
Take out the battery and check for water levels. If the water is below the level, then it is an indication that it is time to change the battery.
The voltage level of the battery should be at least 12 volts with no drop in performance. The time required to start the car should be at least 10 seconds, with no hint of delays.
If not, then it is time to change the battery! A bad 12v Prius battery will affect your car’s performance so you should replace it when you notice the symptoms.
So, if you are planning to buy a used car then it is better to check the battery before you go for a test drive. If it fails to pass the basic tests then you should avoid buying that car at all costs.
Conclusion!
The battery of a Prius is a valuable component of the hybrid system. It should be replaced with a new one as soon as you notice any of the symptoms or if it reaches its expected shelf life.
While taking care of your battery will also help you prolong the life of the battery, a new one will give a better performance.
We hope this article helps you to get more information about Prius car battery replacement, if you need additional help or explanation please leave your comments below.
We would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out our blog for more car-related tips and tricks. convenience
I am Baker Hughes and I live in the USA. I am an electrical engineer and work with 12 Volt products. I want to explore this section more because it is an area of interest for me that has been developed over time. I have 10 Years of experience with 12 Volt products, specifically wiring, installation, guide, reviews, and troubleshooting.
