HV1 Hybrid battery cooling system service

it's more likely the dashboard will light up when the battery reaches a certain temp, and you will have reduced power or none at all. you should still have the ice tho.

 

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that it's a good thing to see dealers offering to service/clean the hybrid battery cooling system as part of routine preventative maintenance. Sure the price offered is a bit high, but this is true of many dealership services. No different to some dealerships quoting around $300 to replace the ATF.

In the same way that the ATF was originally considered a "lifetime" fluid with no service schedule, savvy owners now know to change it every 60,000 miles or so. It's not quite as straight forward with the hybrid cooling system, as the service interval very much depends on how you use the car and what you carry in it, but I would personally recommend inspection and cleaning about every 2 or 3 years.

 

i see your point. but the inspection is pointless for most people. maybe they could shoot a camera in there as a courtesy.

 

Yeah you're right. It should be a "hybrid battery cooling inspection", and it should be a lot lower cost.

 

These inspections will always yield an answer of "yes it's dirty", need servicing. How else do they get to make money?

It's the same as them checking your air filters, always coming back "they need to be replaced", even though many say they replace them just before going into service. It's just a money making response.

 

ingenius devils.

 

A few years ago, Toyota did issue a service bulletin regarding HV battery cooling fan maintenance for severe usage vehicles.
Their criteria for severe usage was:
<<Is the vehicle subject to all of the operating conditions detailed below?
<<(1) The vehicle is used for over 15 hours per day.
<<(2) The vehicle is used over 6 days per week.
<<(3) The right rear seat is used over 50 times per day.
<<YES — Go to step 2.
<<NO — This bulletin does NOT apply.
Note that ALL of the operating conditions listed must be met for this maintenance to apply.
In my opinion, one condition that they missed was: The vehicle is used to transport dogs that shed.

Out of curiosity, I did take a look at my own 2011 Prius Liftback, after 2 years and 20,000 miles and found only a light film of dust on the fan blades. I do not operate in any of the above listed conditions, but do carry a rear seat passenger daily.