Deal rec: change battery in '08 with 5yrs/60k

Actually, I'd have to say that if you haven't changed the 12v battery in 5 years, it's probably not a bad recommendation.

Numerous threads about Poltergeist like behavior that can manifest when your 12v starts to go.

 

The Prius 12v battery is a common problem due to its low capacity and the nature of the Prius 12v charging system (slow). It is easy to perform a test of it's health using a digital voltmeter or the MFD maintenance mode (do a search on this forum). The test is to read the 12v battery voltage with no load (Prius off or in ACC mode), then under load (turn on the lights), then in READY Mode). The first reading should be above 12v and not drop too much with a load. In ready mode the voltage should be about 14 volts as the 12v battery is being charged by the inverter using energy from the HV battery.

The first coolant drain and refill (both loops - NOT a flush) is due at 100k miles and then every 50k miles thereafter - use ONLY Toyota type SSL coolant.

A rear alignment can be done with shims at a decent alignment shop - not at a Toyota dealer as they will try to do a replacement of the rear axle.

JeffD

 

I just purchased my October 08 Prius II T Spirit (Touring in the US) at the end of June with 55,500 miles on the clock. It's coming up to 5 years of age and I am looking to have the battery replaced at the next service in 3,000 miles time - and definitely before next winter. Methinks 5 years is exceptional for a small battery of that size. I could do without it failing on me in the next 4 years at least. It seems a very logical recommendation and could save a great deal of disappointment and aggravation down the line in just a few months

 

i got 8 years out of my 04 battery. my daughters 08 is still fine and won't be replaced unti some sign of degradation. but every circumstance is different and the car sitting around a lot may not be good for the battery. some people run their battery down now and again which is bad for longevity as well. this dealership has all the telltale signs of 'run as fast and as far as you can'!

 

You may well be right bisco . I'm not sure how many years the 12v battery in a Prius II is supposed to last on average before being replaced. Does anyone know?
I have used a high quality 12v car battery in my old MX-3 for about 7 years - (before I part exchanged it for "The Spaceship") though normally you're very lucky to get 4 years out of an ordinary one. How long do these 12v batteries last under normal circumstances?

 

12V batteries in a conventional vehicle have an average lifespan of about 5 years. Some will fail sooner if left to discharge for long periods of time from non use. I charge all my 12V batteries every 6 months. I have a charger with a de-sulfate and battery conditioner mode. If you replace a battery, it should be charged to 100% capacity with a charger for maximum life.
The wife's 05 Matrix battery made it 8 years. I started to notice slower cranking the last month of it's life. You don't have the feedback with a Prius, so the 5 yr. replacement advise would be a good rule of thumb IMO.
It can save you from having problems at the worst time. It's a great preventative measure to avoid being stuck somewhere you don't wanna be

 

the prius battery is so small, it is subject to random infirmities. it can start when a dealer has too many cars and they sit around until the batteries die. they recharge them, but that's strike one. once in the consumers hands, they leave a light on, or leave it in acc mode too long, strike two. in a larger battery, it's not as critical. there's just know way of knowing average life. maybe really hot or cold climates reduce longevity? there a million threads here ranging from a couple to 9 or 10 years of life. the good news is, you 'usually' get some advance warning through odd behavior in the vehicle. on my 04, the sks stopped working on the door locks, but the key fob button still worked.

 

I got about 5 years out of mine. I had ordered a new Yellow Top battery and was to lazy to install it. Got a call from my wife that the 2008 would not start. Bought a cheap set of jumper cables and used the new battery to jump the car. Then had to install the new battery in the dark driveway.