12v battery Replacement

The battery you linked to will work. I suggest you use some grease or tape when you go to install the top screw for the vent duct. That is the hardest part to do in my opinion.

I did the job on our Prius and it took me one hour to do it. I elected to use the battery Toyota sells rather than the yellow top.

The battery you linked to is the correct part number and should work with your Prius.

Most important part, unhook negative terminal FIRST when removing the battery and connect the negative terminal LAST after installation of the battery. I also found it was easier to disconnect the negative terminal at the frame of the car then remove it from the battery once the battery is out of the car.

The only other thing you will need to do is to reset the auto up on the drivers window. That is done by lowering the window half way, then raise it all the way up and hold the switch in the up position for at least one second after the window goes all the way up. After that the auto up/down will work normally. You will also have to reset the clock and the radio stations.

Sometimes it takes two pushes of the power button for the Prius to come up completely after the battery swap. If it doesn't go into "Ready Mode" with the first try, power down then make sure the brake pedal is fully depressed and push the power button again. It should then power up normally and be "Ready". Also when you first power up the fuel gage will show one pip, but will reset itself after a few seconds.

Review this you tube below before you do the job. Take your time and you should have no problems. Don't forget the grease or tape trick. It really helps as you can't get your fingers on that top screw while holding the vent duct in place.

 

I strongly suggest that you measure the voltage of any battery you purchase with a digital volt meter before you install it. A fully charged AGM type battery should measure 12.8 volts or higher when fully charged. If it is not fully charged, I suggest you charge it fully with a "smart charger" that has settings for AGM. The Prius charging system is known to not be very robust and is not the best at recharging batteries fully that have been allowed to discharge. This is suggested to lengthen overall life of your new battery.

Best of luck to you and I hope this helps.

 

Although I bought from Amazon, I wish I had purchased from Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 + including Plug in since Amazon sent me the wrong battery the first time. However, wherever you buy, the instructions at elearnaid were great.

Alan

 

I disagree with this potion. I have done it both ways and have found that this method sparks a lot when re-attaching the bolt into the body. The screw doesn't always line up perfectly right away.

It is tight but If you have a ratcheting 10mm wrench it makes the job easier.

 

Given that almost all auto parts stores, battery stores and maybe even some dealers will install a new battery for you for FREE.......why would you really want to embark on doing it yourself.....given your lack of experience ??

I think the Optima is over-hyped and usually over priced.
Any name brand AGM battery will do just fine.
Check with Auto Zone, Pep Boys, etc. in your area......and your dealer before deciding.

The point about charging it first is really important. If someone else installs it, ask if they have charged it first. If you do it yourself, you probably should have a small charger.

 

i can't remember anyone here saying they got a free install. the prius battery is a lot more work than someting under the hood. dealer usually gets $75. or more. unsure about auto parts store.

 

Well said. Also, auto parts stores will install a headlight bulb for free. See what happens when they see you have a bumper-removal Prius headlight!

 

Yes, the ratcheting wrench makes it a lot easier if one wants to work with the nut on the terminal end while it is mounted on the battery in the Prius. But not everyone is going to have a boat load of tools like yourself.

Concerning the sparking. No matter how you reconnect the battery it is going to spark when making the last connection. Even though it is a sealed battery, any sparks should be as a far as possible from the battery. Connecting the terminal to the battery last will produce a spark directly on top of the battery whereas connecting the cable end to the frame will produce a spark farther away from the battery. Even if you had all the lights turned off the ECU's still draw power from the battery and even more so when initializing.

 

I also agree with the above. When I was in the market for a new battery I inquired at different places. Three dealers gave me a price which ranged from $50 to $150 just for the labor to install the battery plus the $200.00 for the battery. My mechanic said he would do the job for $25

I could not find anyone including the part's houses that would put the Prius battery in for free.

 

Most cities, medium size and up have battery stores that refurbish used ones. My local Interstate Battery warehouse sells the Prius refurbished battery for $59.

 

What city are you in?

 

OK this might start an argument but......
It is not really possible to "refurbish" a lead acid battery.

Those operations are mostly a scam and what they probably are doing is
testing old ones and finding those that got pulled before they are totally dead.
Regardless, they are not worth the money, no matter how cheap.

I wonder if the "home office" at Interstate sanctions this practice ??

 

No sparks necessary.

Unplug both pos wires before unbolting the negative. The big one and little one. They are plugged into the red fuse assy.
Just unclik.

After installing battery plug these in last.

 

I'd have to look to be sure but that advice is exactly BACKWARDS from what you usually should do.

IF the negative lead is still connected to the frame, while you are unbolting the positive lead IF your tool comes
in contact with any part of the frame there can be SPARKS AND FIRE.

The standard safety recommendation is to disconnect and isolate the negative lead(s) first and reconnect last.

 

I used to use those all the time. They were a good deal. One time I got one that had a crack in it and by the time I realized it alot had leaked out and made a mess. I would still use them for my other cars but they stopped doing it at my Interstate guy.

Personally don't think I would use one on a Prius though as its much more of a hassle for me to replace that 12. My backs not that great and it puts me in a bad position.

But if cash strapped its a viable alternative.

 

Greensboro NC. We have an Interstate Battery. In nearby Winston Salem is North State battery.

 

I am not mechanically adept but I was able to install a new 12 volt using instructions from this site. I used a tool that looks like a screwdriver but it uses sockets to screw the top screw on the duct as the last step. Best wishes.

 

Exide Edge FP-AGM51JIS Battery | SEPBatteries.com
Exide Edge FP-AGM51JIS Battery

fits right in the prius , just had to switch the vent hose to the other side of the battery , this place is in Florida , got free shipping with the battery