Life of the 12V aux battery

Tickwood · 11-05-2007, 06:03 PM

My early 2004 (Made in 11/03) has the original 12V battery. It seems to work fine, and the car has only 31,000 miles, but I wonder what the life span of the battery is. Does anyone have experience in this area? A close look says I will not do it myself.

ACORNBLUES · 11-05-2007, 08:19 PM

Its easy

I'm willing to help a fellow SD prius owner. pm me.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tickwood @ Nov 5 2007, 06:03 PM) [snapback]535124[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My early 2004 (Made in 11/03) has the original 12V battery. It seems to work fine, and the car has only 31,000 miles, but I wonder what the life span of the battery is. Does anyone have experience in this area? A close look says I will not do it myself.
[/b]

hobbit · 11-05-2007, 11:36 PM

Lifespan is going to vary all over the place depending on temps in
your area, what kind of abuse/deep-discharge it's taken, etc. Don't
worry about time, just use it till it starts to go [you'll know it!]
and replace it then.
.
_H*

wyounger · 11-06-2007, 09:16 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Nov 5 2007, 11:36 PM) [snapback]535287[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Lifespan is going to vary all over the place depending on temps in
your area, what kind of abuse/deep-discharge it's taken, etc. Don't
worry about time, just use it till it starts to go [you'll know it!]
and replace it then.
.
_H*
[/b]

Hehe... my rule of thumb is just the opposite. In my book lead-acid batteries last four years in most applications. If it's not a very important application (the lawn mower) you can just wait until it tells you it wants replacement. If it's going to be a major inconvenience when the car won't start and you have to get a jump every time you stop until you get the battery replaced... you may want to replace it pre-emptively under conditions you get to control, rather than waiting for fate to come along and pick a time for you.

BTW, if you let fate pick the time, battery chemistry suggests that it will be cold when it happens!

galaxee · 11-06-2007, 09:24 PM

rather than make an arbitrary decision, go get the battery tested. the dealer has a device made specifically to test that battery. the battery test will be free if they think they're gonna sell you a battery. and if you need one, they're gonna sell it to ya don't worry. :P

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11-05-2007, 06:03 PM	#1
Tickwood Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 95 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My early 2004 (Made in 11/03) has the original 12V battery. It seems to work fine, and the car has only 31,000 miles, but I wonder what the life span of the battery is. Does anyone have experience in this area? A close look says I will not do it myself.

11-05-2007, 11:36 PM	#3
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 2,976 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Lifespan is going to vary all over the place depending on temps in your area, what kind of abuse/deep-discharge it's taken, etc. Don't worry about time, just use it till it starts to go [you'll know it!] and replace it then. . _H*

11-06-2007, 09:24 PM	#5
galaxee running WOT until out of fuel Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 9,072 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	rather than make an arbitrary decision, go get the battery tested. the dealer has a device made specifically to test that battery. the battery test will be free if they think they're gonna sell you a battery. and if you need one, they're gonna sell it to ya don't worry. :P