Need battery recommendation

[briloop]

For the past two or three months, the interior lights in my 2007 Prius are noticeably dimmer. Last month, it had to be jump-started. I took it to the dealer. The service advisor at the dealer said the battery was fine.

I live in Central Texas - hot summers, mild winters. I have almost 21,000 miles on the car. My normal commute is five days a week, 30 minutes each way on a freeway.

1. Is my battery dying?

2. If so, can I get the dealer to replace the battery under warranty?

3. If not, which battery would you recommend?

Thanks

[BerkshirePrius]

I can only comment on your #3. I just replaced the battery in my Prius. The only battery choices I could find are the factory replacement and the Optima yellow top sold at elearnaid.com. Personally, I would recommend the Optima. They are a great battery as others here will attest to. Hope this helps...

[Wheelin1]

E Learn aid PO BOX 921585, Los Angeles, CA 91392-1585 USA. Just got an optima d-51 from them with the cable kit. The cable replacement are of higher quality than the toyota parts. great company to deal with. Jim ps remove the plastic battery handle takes 3 seconds and makes the install perfect. also if you have a spare battery jump it to the front and all your radio presets stay. 1 more thing on the battery positive terminal unplug all the cables before you remove the terminal makes everything safe and easy.

[Wheelin1]

You could check the condition of your battery with a volt meeter. It should reed 12.2 min after sitting all night. My prius would start with 10 v, but the triangle showed on my dash for a few seconds until the ready light came on. 7.5 volts I needed a jump! hope this helps.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by briloop

For the past two or three months, the interior lights in my 2007 Prius are noticeably dimmer. Last month, it had to be jump-started. I took it to the dealer. The service advisor at the dealer said the battery was fine.

I live in Central Texas - hot summers, mild winters. I have almost 21,000 miles on the car. My normal commute is five days a week, 30 minutes each way on a freeway.

1. Is my battery dying?

2. If so, can I get the dealer to replace the battery under warranty?

3. If not, which battery would you recommend?

Thanks

Regarding #1, if you are driving one hour a day and notice dim cabin lights, need a jumpstart, etc. then clearly the battery is near end of life - assuming no driver error by leaving a door open, etc.

Regarding #2, what was done by your dealer to assess whether the battery is good or bad, when you took your car in? The battery should be covered by the 3 year/36K mile warranty.

[andyprius]

Originally Posted by briloop

For the past two or three months, the interior lights in my 2007 Prius are noticeably dimmer. Last month, it had to be jump-started. I took it to the dealer. The service advisor at the dealer said the battery was fine.

I live in Central Texas - hot summers, mild winters. I have almost 21,000 miles on the car. My normal commute is five days a week, 30 minutes each way on a freeway.

1. Is my battery dying?

2. If so, can I get the dealer to replace the battery under warranty?

3. If not, which battery would you recommend?

Thanks

1. Probably 2. Possibly 3 There is a wide choice. Search Priuschat. In regards to 2 you may complain, and get them to replace the battery. Failing that, go to a place that specializes in batteries, Have them check it. If they say it's deficient, get a statement in writing and bring it to Toyota. You could also purchase a multimeter and read the voltage across the terminals. It should be a minimum of 12VDC, if it only reads 12V it is probably bad. Generally it will read ~12.6 Volts. Look at your signal check on the MFD, this will give you the charging rate from the HV Bat. Generallly 14.1 VDC. as for charging rate, again use search. I also have it somewhere in my profile. Shut your dome lights off and make sure all doors and trunk is closed. Shut off trunk light too.

[andyprius]

Originally Posted by andyprius

1. Probably 2. Possibly 3 There is a wide choice. Search Priuschat. In regards to 2 you may complain, and get them to replace the battery. Failing that, go to a place that specializes in batteries, Have them check it. If they say it's deficient, get a statement in writing and bring it to Toyota. You could also purchase a multimeter and read the voltage across the terminals. It should be a minimum of 12VDC, if it only reads 12V it is probably bad. Generally it will read ~12.6 Volts. Look at your signal check on the MFD, this will give you the charging rate from the HV Bat. Generallly 14.1 VDC. as for charging rate, again use search. I also have it somewhere in my profile. Shut your dome lights off and make sure all doors and trunk is closed. Shut off trunk light too.

Whenever you go to a dealer you must know more than the person you are talking to, so research a bit and then you can make a gentle correction to his statements. Otherwise the Service writer will attempt to snow you, or even write up te problem wrong. Proving the problem is also very important. I had the same problem, I took the car to the dealer, had it written up and in the meantime left everything on I could think of. NOT IN READY, but in standby or acces mode, When the mechanic attempted to put it in ready he couldn't.....I ended up getting a new battery FREE from the dealer ( another option ) I would not be so bold or impolite as to suggest the entire problem is your fault because you left various lights on or did not close doors. ( I don't think I did) There is a serious problem with that battery or the predelivery maintenance is faulty. Remember the dealer is incapable of properly checking the Battery, it requires a load bank, the dealer does not want to take time, he would rather sell batteries, service and maintenance

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by BerkshirePrius

I can only comment on your #3. I just replaced the battery in my Prius. The only battery choices I could find are the factory replacement and the Optima yellow top sold at elearnaid.com. Personally, I would recommend the Optima. They are a great battery as others here will attest to. Hope this helps...

There are two Odyssey batteries that have been fitted and I'm testing a PC925:

Not to worry, the Odyssey is supposed to work in any orientation except 'face down.'


The 1kW inverter is disconnected. I used wooden block shims to keep it in place.

Bob Wilson

[BerkshirePrius]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

There are two Odyssey batteries that have been fitted and I'm testing a PC925:
Bob Wilson

It is my understanding that the Odyssey is the battery used in the stealth fighter. Supposed to be a great battery, but seems like a little more modification to install it than most people would want to commit to. I don't see a provision for a vent tube. I'm not sure I would want a battery, 'coventional' or AGM, sealed in an interior compartment without one...

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by BerkshirePrius

. . . I don't see a provision for a vent tube. I'm not sure I would want a battery, 'coventional' or AGM, sealed in an interior compartment without one...

The Odyssey battery has no vent tube and claims not to need one. It is a test that according to their data should take about 8-10 years to complete (Odyssey claimed battery life.) <grins>

I needed the battery in pretty quickly because I knew my car would be parked at the airport and completely 'cold soaked.' I'd had problems with sub-freezing weather starts that I fixed by using a battery charger. The car started right up when I returned.

Still to do, I'll fabricate a fixture to handle both the top, battery clamp shim and anchors for the clamps. This is needed to prevent vibrations from 'work hardening' the copper cables.

Bob Wilson