Hold It or Fold It?

[KC_in_KC]

I'm new here and don't know if this is the appropriate place to post, but here goes:
I have a 2001 Prius with 178,000 miles on it. It seems to be doing OK and I'm pondering whether I want to trade it in or keep it and see how many more miles I can get out of it. I've been good about oil changes and regular maintenance and am currently getting 41.5 mpg.

I'm not a mechanic and have found myself considering a cross-country drive, then deciding maybe I should fly because I don't know if my car can be trusted to drive that far. Which makes me wonder if it's time to trade it in on a new car, just for the sake of reliability and warranties.

I haven't had any trouble with the batteries -- but I don't know if there are warning signs I should be looking for. The ONLY problem with it is that it seems to "hesitate" a little when I first start it in the morning. By the time I"ve driven it a mile or two, it seems to purr along.

What's the history of these high-mile Priuses and what's your best guess about how many miles I can expect? I had a little Datsun back in the 1970s that I got 250,000 miles out of, so I have a history of keeping cars running.

Thanks,
KC in KC

[V8Cobrakid]

I have an 04.. but from what i've seen... they're kinda indestructible. I wouldn't worry about the battery cutting out on you. at worse it's simply what you described.. a lack in acceleration.

i believe there are a few older models out there with higher mileage than you.

go across the country. be sure to post photos.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by KC_in_KC

...I have a 2001 Prius with 178,000 miles on it. It seems to be doing OK and I'm pondering whether I want to trade it in or keep it and see how many more miles I can get out of it. I've been good about oil changes and regular maintenance and am currently getting 41.5 mpg.

I'm not a mechanic and have found myself considering a cross-country drive, then deciding maybe I should fly because I don't know if my car can be trusted to drive that far. Which makes me wonder if it's time to trade it in on a new car, just for the sake of reliability and warranties.

I haven't had any trouble with the batteries -- but I don't know if there are warning signs I should be looking for. The ONLY problem with it is that it seems to "hesitate" a little when I first start it in the morning. By the time I"ve driven it a mile or two, it seems to purr along.

What's the history of these high-mile Priuses and what's your best guess about how many miles I can expect? I had a little Datsun back in the 1970s that I got 250,000 miles out of, so I have a history of keeping cars running.

I do not think that your car would have very much resale value at this point given the high mileage. Hence it makes sense to continue driving it until you have a major failure that is too expensive to repair (i.e., transaxle or traction battery).

A traction battery failure will make itself known with warning lights appearing (master warning light <red triangle>, maybe the check engine light, and either the hybrid vehicle or the traction battery icon in the MFD). The battery SOC gauge will move up & down very quickly. I found that the engine would run whenever the accelerator pedal was depressed.

The morning hesitation might be due to a dirty throttle body interior and throttle plate (easy to clean), bad spark plugs (if they have more than 60K miles on them) or a marginal fuel pump (which requires replacing the fuel tank.) Did you have the engine ECU replaced so that the firmware is at the current revision level? If not, that also might be a source of the problem.

If your tires are good and your car runs well otherwise, it seems reasonable to take a road trip with it. Perhaps you should have it inspected by a competent dealer mechanic to give you more assurance along those lines. Good luck.

[KC_in_KC]

Thanks, V8CobraKid -- if I decide to hit the road, I'll snap a few road photos along the way. It sort of makes me proud that I have what is now becoming an old beater Prius. That's a badge of distinction.

Patrick -- I don't know what the engine ECU is, nor what firmware is, but I have a good mechanic whom I trust and I'll ask him the questions you asked me.

It does have new tires. At least that's a question I can answer.

Thanks for the feedback!

--kc

[KC_in_KC]

Oh, Patrick -- I wondered if other than the warning lights that happen when things have really gone south, if there are any hints that the battery is about to go.

But from reading some of the other threads, I think maybe the traction batteries don't fail as often as the rumors had it when the Prius first came out.

Is there someplace to find out who has Priuses that are in the same high miles ballpark as I am? Another thread on this site maybe?

--kc

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by KC_in_KC

Patrick -- I don't know what the engine ECU is, nor what firmware is, but I have a good mechanic whom I trust and I'll ask him the questions you asked me.

Hi KC,

The current revision of the engine ECU (that contains the most recent firmware) has the part number 89661-47054. Prior versions of this ECU have the part number 89661-47030 or -47031, -47050, or -47051.

This ECU is located behind the glove box to the right of the blower assembly (where the cabin air filter is located). If you drop the glove box down you may be able to find the part number label of the ECU.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by KC_in_KC

Oh, Patrick -- I wondered if other than the warning lights that happen when things have really gone south, if there are any hints that the battery is about to go...

Hi KC,

The traction battery on my 2001 failed at ~60K miles. There was really no advance warning. One morning the warning lights came on, I noticed driveability issues with the ICE running whenever I depressed the accelerator, and I could see the SOC gauge moving up & down very quickly.

At your odometer reading your battery is really at or near end-of-life (as by industry standards an automobile EOL is usually deemed to be 150K miles). Any additional life that you get out of that battery is a bonus.

[tochatihu]

KC, you could ask a Toyota shop to assess the condition of the HV battery. The good ones know how to. They will charge you some money for it.

For the road trip, check fluid levels and a 5 tire pressures. Then, just go.

[morpheusx]

I just wanted to chime in with that I agree that the hesitation is most likely the throttle body / and throttle plate having buildup. Especially with high mileage. I haven't ever taken it off with a Prius but they are usually fairly easy to take out spray out and put them back on with most other cars. If you are uncomfortable with doing it a good shop shouldn't charge all that much to do it. Probably only take them about 30 - 45 minutes.