Red Triangle - 2007 Prius

yes the TrueStart battery is the 12v battery.

 

84 months = 2 years echange, then, decreasing pro rata.

maybe you should just order the optima.

 

Best call them up to verify, don't believe it is spec'd for the prius.

 

The 84 month warranty on the Toyota battery is prorated, while the Optima is a three year free replacement warranty. I think the Toyota replacement schedule goes like this:

Months 1-24 - free replacement
Months 24-48 - you pay 50% of the current MSRP
Months 49-84 - you pay 75% of the current MSRP

You might get a great deal on the initial purchase of the Toyota battery, but a warranty replacement could end up costing you more that what you paid for the battery in the first place. With the Optima you can buy any battery you want after the 36 months expire, taking advantage of whatever pricing is available at that time.

Some battery makers and sellers are going away from prorated warranties. I just bought an Interstate battery at Costco for my Volvo, and it came with a 42 month non-prorated warranty rather than the 72 month prorated warranty that their old battery cam with.

 

check the cold voltage and if it's below 13.0, put it on a trickle/smart charger before installing.

i believe toyota is required to accept your old battery.

 

You should be able to take the old batteryto all auto parts store, nearly all big chain repair centers (Firestone Tire, Midas, Sears, etc), even Wrongmart, for proper recycling & disposal. Even you smal repair mechanic might take it.

Just call the place before, to confrm.

 

No one has mentioned this yet. If the OP has a base model (no SKS) Prius, that big Optima battery he ordered from Amazon is NOT going to fit correctly until the battery tray is changed. Also, if by chance the Prius he has the older D45 Optima installed now he may find the posts/clamps are NOT going to jive with the newer Optima that he just purchased. D45 battery had the standard posts whereas the newer Optima is now coming with the smaller JIS post's which is identical to the OEM battery.

Let us hope that the OP is simply changing a original battery and that his Prius has SKS on it which would take the bigger battery. Those of us in the know are aware that two different size batteries were used in the Gen II Prius. The hold down clamp is the same for both batteries, but the tray changes depending on which battery the Prius needs.

Hope this helps the OP and clarifies things a little more.

EDIT: I mentioned D45 Optima, I am mistaken. It was a D51 Optima. Sorry guys, brain fart...

Ron (dorunron)

 

Based on the OP's pictures he has a easy job ahead of him. Pull out the OEM battery, fit drain tube to yellow top, and the install yellow top. Can't tell if he has the little or the big battery.

For the record, the Optima DS46B24R is the battery for the Prius that is equipped with SKS. If the OP"s Prius is a BASE model, he/she will have to change the tray to get the hold down clamp to work properly and the battery to fit correctly.

Also, there is a link below that details how to R&R the 12 volt. Good details that includes tools needed as well as tips on how to work with the hidden screw on traction battery duct. See post #8 in the link for more info.

How do you replace the 12v battery? | PriusChat

 

i would contact them about the warranty, it should start at installation. and ask about the mfg date as well.

 

FWIW, it would be a good idea to go ahead and hook up a "GOOD" smart charger that will charge AGM type batteries. You can connect it to the jump post under the hood and the strut nut for the ground. Let the charger run until it completely charges that battery up. You should get at least 12.4 or better running the onboard test. A digital volt meter should read about 12.6 to 12.8 at the jump post when the battery is installed and "FULLY" charged. I would recommend a charging rate of 4 AMPS. FWIW, a "DIGITAL" volt meter will be more accurate than a "ANALOG" meter. You don't have to have a expensive FLUKE meter. A cheap one from Harbor Freight will do the job and give you reliable figures imo.

Good job on the DIY! I hope you have good luck with that battery. Some here on PC have reported problems with the "yellow tops" coming out of Mexico. Optima claims the QC is identical to what it was before they moved to Mexico, but actual user's seem to tell a different story.

Best of luck to you!

Ron (dorunron)

 

I purchased the Optima battery from an AutoZone down the street. They had to ship it from another store in the city. It was about $185. I was able to install it. Took some time, but it worked until I went on vacation and one of the kids left the car door open while we were gone. But that's a different thread....

 

Battery warranties are based on purchase date. OP could have bought the battery today, but maybe didn't get it unstalled until days/weeks/months later. Without a receipt, the better retailers/manufactures will go by the manufacture date on the battery.

Do yourself a favor and get an AGM compatible battery charger.