You have been enjoying driving your Toyota Prius and not having the responsibility of constantly paying for gas. But then you realize you don’t know that much about how to maintain a hybrid car battery.
Priuses have been known to run without any battery issues for up to as many as 250,000 miles, which is impressive for any car! But it is better to be prepared than to have it break down the road.
How do you replace it if it’s unusable? How do you maintain it? Here we answer the biggest questions you might have regarding the Toyota Prius battery.
How Does the Battery Work?
Hybrid vehicles like the Prius use a combo of an internal combustion engine and a battery-electric drive system so they can deliver great fuel economy and reduce emissions at the same time. So, a Prius gets most of its power from the battery, letting the electric motor inside power the car.
If you’re driving at 15 mph or less, you only use the electric motor. Yet when you are going at a high speed (i.e. on a highway), then you’ll be using the gasoline engine.
What is the Hybrid Car Battery Lifespan for a Toyota Prius?
Many people have misconceptions about how long hybrid batteries last. On average, you may need to replace your hybrid car battery every five years if you drive it for long periods of time. Yet if you don’t, the battery will likely last between 100,000-150,000 miles or between eight to ten years.
Here is a good tip to know: If your battery does die before you hit those miles, then Toyota will give you a brand new battery free of charge.
How Do You Repair Hybrid Car Batteries?
When the cells inside a Prius battery dies, it means that one or more cells are no longer able to sustain the power that they are required to.
If you want to get a brand new battery from a mechanic, the replacement cost will run you between $2,200 and $4,100, not including labor costs. Meanwhile, if you want to repair it yourself, a used battery will cost you upwards of $1,500, while a refurbished one costs $1,500.
If you want to maintain your Prius battery so it’ll last longer, you need to makes sure the HEV battery pack cooling system is checked and cleaned annually.
Know About the Toyota Prius Battery Before You Get in Trouble
Now, you know all the answers to how a Prius battery works along with what is the average lifespan of one and what are the steps it takes to replace it. Be sure to maintain it well so you can enjoy it for years to come.
Has your Toyota Prius had a car issue recently? Let us help you make your car as great of in shape as it did when you first bought it. Contact us today to schedule a service with a mechanic in the Ventura, CA area.
