One thing’s for sure; hybrid batteries aren’t as cheap as conventional ones. Therefore, if your component is damaged, you must be prepared for a considerable investment. The same thing happens to Toyota Prius owners.
Even if there is no fault, you still need to swap it after a certain period. So what exactly is the Toyota Prius battery replacement cost? Scroll down to learn in detail.
When Does Your Prius Battery Need Replacement?
Fast Battery Discharge
As a battery ages, it loses its ability to hold charges. If the time between your two charges is getting shorter and shorter, it’s time for a new one.
Your battery can also issue warnings through its output. You may notice low power even after trying to charge the battery fully. Worse yet, it does not accept the charger and never fills up.
Worse Fuel Economy
Some drivers fall in love with the Prius for its excellent fuel efficiency. Unfortunately, your vehicle loses this competitive advantage once the battery dies. If not replaced soon, you could go bankrupt with car fuel usage.
Fluctuating Power
When the engine is on, you may feel sharp fluctuations in the State of Charge (SOC). In simple terms, the charge point suddenly increases or decreases when the indicator shows up.
Frequent Running Of The Combustion Engine
The Pirus depends greatly on the battery, but sometimes it runs on an internal combustion engine due to low or no power.
As soon as the internal combustion engine runs more often, you know the battery is to blame.
It may not contain enough energy to feed the vehicle. At the same time, the driver can also hear unusual noises coming from the engine.
Visible Corrosion
Open the nose of the car and check the top of the battery. A blue or white powdery substance around the battery terminal indicates something bad is going on – corrosion.
Though it is an inevitable part of regular operation, traces of excessive rust reduce the battery lifespan and performance. You can solve this independently, but a trusted mechanic can do an in-depth check to ensure the battery health.
Flickering Dashboard Lights
Wonder why your dashboard keeps flashing even though it does not give any specific message? Flickering signals potential problems during vehicle operation.
Remember that the battery is also responsible for power delivery to this unit. Chances are it is trying to hint at a dead battery.
How Much Does A Prius Battery Cost?
The average cost of Prius battery replacement ranges between $2,000 to $4,500 for a complete service. A price breakdown includes the product cost, labor expenses, and additional fees. These factors change in different places, thus affecting your final payout.
Let’s take a closer look at these variables.
New vs. Used Items
Undoubtedly, a brand-new option always costs you more. People with low budgets can consider second-hand products that are only half the price.
In detail, you may spend around $1,500 for a used battery. Below is a detailed price list of new models available for the Prius:
- 2001-2003 (1st generation): $3.649
- 2004-2009 (2nd generation): $3.939
- 2010-2011 (3rd generation): $4.080
- 2012-2015 (Liftback): $3.939
- 2012-2016 (V version): $3.939
- 2012-2016 (C version): $3,807
Dealership vs. Private Seller
Dealership prices are often higher than those of third-party sellers. This is not surprising as they bear more operating costs and taxes.
Another minus point of buying from dealerships is the length of service time due to paperwork and waiting time. On the bright side, customers receive good care and a commitment to the product quality and reliability.
Besides, you can consider purchasing from hybrid vehicle stores or private sellers. Despite the affordable deal, it is not easy to find a reliable supplier. Some sellers do not provide any warranty for the battery. In other words, you have to struggle with every problem on your own after the purchase.
Hence, double-check the received item to ensure it stays in an original packaging and comes with the serial number on the cap. You should also count on a seller with a good reputation and pay for warranted products only.
Labor fees
Remember that you cannot work with hybrid batteries independently because you lack experience and the necessary tools. As a result, hybrid drivers must save the budget for certified mechanics regarding battery replacement costs.
Unfortunately, these professionals often charge high fees, especially in the central area. You can search for services in the outskirts to cut down a little money as long as you find a reliable mechanic.
Warranty
We emphasize the importance of a warranty since you can get the change for free while the policy is in effect. At least, you do not have to pay for some errors on the current battery that meets the manufacturer’s requirements.
How To Cut Down Prius Hybrid Battery Replacement Cost
Benefit From Warranty
As mentioned above, an applicable warranty is still the best way to cut costs. It should pop up in your mind first when you notice problems with your battery.
Versions 2019 and earlier come with a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. In California alone, emissions laws allow an extension of the reasonable time up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.
At the beginning of 2020, Toyota announced the extended warranty period. The new models are all released with the same terms of use as in California.
Go For Reconditioned Battery
Since most of the battery cells are damaged, another solution before replacement is to recondition or rejuvenate. In simpler terms, this process rebalances cells and recovers lost capacity. As a result, the charging status and battery condition improve.
If you gain enough experience, feel free to do this job yourself. However, we recommend a professional service that charges around $1300 – $1900, depending on the extent of the damage, for the best safety and quality.
You can also purchase refurbished batteries which go through the same process carried out by professionals. These options are usually available on online sites for quick access.
Shop Around
While looking for a new battery pack, do not rush to the first supplier you encounter. If you are concerned about cost, you should check out multiple stores.
Collecting estimated prices from mechanics allows you to compare different providers. Then weigh up the price, quality, warranty policy, etc., and pick the best deal.
How Often Should You Get The Prius Battery Replaced?
Drivers should replace the Prius battery every 8 – 10 years or 100,000 – 150,000 miles. The actual timing depends on many factors, most importantly your maintenance.
As soon as the P0A80 code appeared, the hybrid battery pack was in danger of damage. The biggest problem is the drastic drop in fuel economy. You also cannot enable features such as brake regeneration or auto stop-start.
How To Make The Toyota Prius Battery Last Longer?
Precaution is always better than cure. Hence, pay attention to routine maintenance to prolong the battery’s life before it is too late. Here are some tips for Prius owners:
- Keep your eye on the battery to identify the early signs of damage.
- Make sure the cooling system is always in good condition. Annual inspection and cleaning is recommended.
- Check the cabin filter every 12-15 months (or 15,000 miles). Do not let it become dirty or turned off, as this affects the flow of cool air required for operation.
- Avoid harsh driving habits such as heavy acceleration, usage of electric-only mode, continuous energy drops to 20%, etc.
Should I Repair My Prius Battery?
You can repair the battery with minor problems, such as a few damaged cells. One advantage of the hybrid battery is that it has individual cells so that you can fix the problem for a moderate amount of money.
However, it is not an optimal measure for several reasons:
- Temporarily: Remember that fixing and restarting makes the component work but fails to remove the harmful root.
Detecting bad cells cannot guarantee 100% accuracy. For all these cons, the battery life cannot be extended. So is it cost-effective in the long run? – No, of course.
- Danger: When your auto part warns you of damage, it has already begun to degrade in quality. Regardless of your efforts, it lurks more serious breakdown risks.
- Void warranty: If your battery is still within the valid warranty period, any third-party intervention will disable the protection guaranteed by the manufacturer. Why would you refuse the replacement when it does not cost a dime?
FAQs
How Long Do Toyota Prius Batteries Last?
You can expect it to last for 5-8 years. Proper maintenance helps to prolong its life by up to 10 years.
Can You Replace A Prius Battery Yourself?
Yes, but not for the starters. Note that hybrid batteries involve high voltage. The replacement job is dangerous if you do not gain enough experience to deal with the whole process and sudden situation. You also put yourself at risk when working without proper diagnostic equipment.
Can You Still Drive A Prius With A Bad Battery?
Yes. As it is a hybrid vehicle, drivers can switch to the gasoline mode and keep driving even when the battery is damaged.
But only run a short distance to reach the safe location as the gasoline operation is not smooth and powerful. Remember to maintain a low speed and turn off unnecessary features.
Conclusion
The cost to replace the Prius battery is not very affordable. So is it worth it? From our point of view, the benefits outweigh the costs. However, make sure you install a reliable new battery to ensure a healthy vehicle. It makes no sense that the engine dies only a few years later.
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