Longevity expectations for Prius

flashmayo · 05-11-2006, 01:48 PM

I have grown to expect a minimum of 200K miles out of all of the Toyotas I have ever owned, before any components or systems fail. Is this a fair assumption for the Prius?
What are peoples expectations for how long the battery pack should last? When it fails, what are the symptoms of impending failure? What do you do then? Replace only the battery? The battery and the combustion engine?
Does sealing the battery only fix a known issue or is that more like maintenance?

I am interested in getting one, but economy is paramount for me, rather than the green aspect of this vehicle, though I am willing to pay a small premium for the green element.

Thanks,

John

stevedegraw · 05-11-2006, 02:16 PM

That's a great question.

Has it been broached before ?

Who out there in PC land has the most miles on thier Prius ?

qbee42 · 05-11-2006, 02:42 PM

Yes, there have been many threads on PC about this. The standard bearer was a taxi in Vancouver which went two-hundred and some thousand miles before Toyota traded the owner for a new Prius (they wanted to tear it down and see how it help up). That was an early Prius, so we can expect better from the current ones. The Prius goes pretty easy on its traction battery, so you should get more than the 100K warranty miles. Also, by the time you need to swap the battery, costs should be down considerably.

I think you will find the Prius easier with maintenance costs than a conventional auto.

Tom

San_Carlos_Jeff · 05-11-2006, 02:54 PM

This was discussed in another thread. http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=17192

Short answer is: don't worry about the battery.

Begreen · 05-11-2006, 03:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San_Carlos_Jeff @ May 11 2006, 11:54 AM) [snapback]253630[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

This was discussed in another thread. http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=17192

Short answer is: don't worry about the battery.

[/b]

I read that Toyota has built the Prius for a life expectency around 250K miles, just like any other Toyota.

mdh · 05-11-2006, 05:31 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Begreen @ May 11 2006, 12:58 PM) [snapback]253680[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I read that Toyota has built the Prius for a life expectency around 250K miles, just like any other Toyota.
[/b]

one has to wonder if there is excessive wear on the engine with it constantly turning on and off....

john1701a · 05-11-2006, 05:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mdh @ May 11 2006, 04:31 PM) [snapback]253723[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

one has to wonder if there is excessive wear on the engine with it constantly turning on and off....
[/b]

Nope.

Once you study the design, you'll wonder how engines with traditional starters could survive... since they lack benefits of the hybrid system.

The hybrid starter is dramatically more powerful, allowing it to spin the engine all the way up to idle speed (800-1000 RPM) rather than a speed barely fast enough for ignition. And since the hybrid also has a dramatically larger battery, the startup process is much longer... allowing oil pressure to first be established.

In other words, the hybrid start-up is far more friendly... so much so that the on and off is basically just fuel-cut. That's it.

devprius · 05-11-2006, 05:39 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mdh @ May 11 2006, 02:31 PM) [snapback]253723[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

one has to wonder if there is excessive wear on the engine with it constantly turning on and off....
[/b]

Actually, no. Someone with more technical knowledge can provide the details but the gist of it is that MG1 spins the engine up to 1200 RPM before applying fuel and spark. This is much less harsh on the engine and oil is given a chance to get where it needs to go before the engine is subject to the rigors of combustion.

mdh · 05-11-2006, 05:52 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(devprius @ May 11 2006, 02:39 PM) [snapback]253729[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Actually, no. Someone with more technical knowledge can provide the details but the gist of it is that MG1 spins the engine up to 1200 RPM before applying fuel and spark. This is much less harsh on the engine and oil is given a chance to get where it needs to go before the engine is subject to the rigors of combustion.
[/b]

very very cool. just wondered about the wear of constantly turning something on and off. Golf carts come to mind.

tmorrowus · 05-11-2006, 08:17 PM

So far there are no indications of any reliability concerns at all. If the batteries were problematic the gen1 priuses would be presenting with bad batteries by now. They are not and the current gen's batteries are better and more protected. I think it's likely I'll get 250k out of mine just like the rest of the car.

05-11-2006, 02:42 PM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,477 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 387 Times in 289 Posts Friends: 10	Yes, there have been many threads on PC about this. The standard bearer was a taxi in Vancouver which went two-hundred and some thousand miles before Toyota traded the owner for a new Prius (they wanted to tear it down and see how it help up). That was an early Prius, so we can expect better from the current ones. The Prius goes pretty easy on its traction battery, so you should get more than the 100K warranty miles. Also, by the time you need to swap the battery, costs should be down considerably. I think you will find the Prius easier with maintenance costs than a conventional auto. Tom __________________ *Black* 2006 package #7 Northern Michigan

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05-11-2006, 01:48 PM	#1
flashmayo Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have grown to expect a minimum of 200K miles out of all of the Toyotas I have ever owned, before any components or systems fail. Is this a fair assumption for the Prius? What are peoples expectations for how long the battery pack should last? When it fails, what are the symptoms of impending failure? What do you do then? Replace only the battery? The battery and the combustion engine? Does sealing the battery only fix a known issue or is that more like maintenance? I am interested in getting one, but economy is paramount for me, rather than the green aspect of this vehicle, though I am willing to pay a small premium for the green element. Thanks, John

05-11-2006, 02:16 PM	#2
stevedegraw Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 121 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	That's a great question. Has it been broached before ? Who out there in PC land has the most miles on thier Prius ?

05-11-2006, 02:54 PM	#4
San_Carlos_Jeff Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 603 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 25 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	This was discussed in another thread. http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=17192 Short answer is: don't worry about the battery.

05-11-2006, 08:17 PM	#10
tmorrowus Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 444 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	So far there are no indications of any reliability concerns at all. If the batteries were problematic the gen1 priuses would be presenting with bad batteries by now. They are not and the current gen's batteries are better and more protected. I think it's likely I'll get 250k out of mine just like the rest of the car.