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Mileage and HV battery replacement?

Discussion in 'Prius c Technical Discussion' started by JasonScott, Jan 20, 2020.

  1. JasonScott

    JasonScott Junior Member

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    Well, I finally became a proud owner of a 2013 Prius C... it has, in my opinion, high miles at 146k, and through Dr. Prius app, its showing the HV battery has 24% life capacity left. I bought it super cheap, so I had planned on replacing the HV battery. However, with this mileage and age, would it be worthwhile to purchase a new OEM HV battery from Toyota? This price is $2030 (not installed). Other option would be to buy a new used HV battery from eBay.

    I guess what I'm asking advice for, is $2000+ for a new OEM battery a good investment? Or should I purchase a used battery for 1/2 the price, to be more consistent with the life of the vehicle?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Time counts more than miles in my book. If you can get a used battery from say, a crashed 2016 car? I'd expect that to work well. I wouldn't go for a low-miles 2013 battery, in contrast.

    Heat is a life-limiting factor with these batteries, both in storage and operation. If you can get that battery from a car that spent more of its life up north, I'd expect better-still results. Until then, use a lot of air conditioning, keep the battery fan clean and you'll pull another couple of years out of the one you have.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats!
    depends on how long you want to keep it, and how much you trust ebay
     
  4. JasonScott

    JasonScott Junior Member

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    I'd be buying it from a reputable recycling company that also offers lifetime warranty.. 2014 model PC & 60k miles for $750 shipped. Does that sound like a decent deal?
     
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    How is the vehicle running and operating?
    If you have no codes, and the vehicle is performing OK...then my advice is to ignore the "life expectancy": reading, and just drive it.
    I'm personally dubious about the ability for any diagnostic to predict life span.
    But even if you want to believe it totally accurate, my advice would be just drive it and see what 24%, would translate into being. That could be years.
    In the meantime, you could casually put some money back, for when you DO start getting codes and evidence that the Hybrid Battery is failing.
    But I wouldn't necessarily choose to replace at this point, if the vehicle is running and operating. You may be nearing the point where the investment becomes necessary, but 24% life capacity left, doesn't mean it's failing today. Investment IMO premature.
     
  6. JasonScott

    JasonScott Junior Member

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    I did get the trouble code P0A80... and all of the lights that go along with it.. it has also shown "weak block detected #5" as well as a a voltage difference of 1.42v. This only occurs sometimes though and it'll throw the code. After clearing it with my Scan gauge II it will run normally within acceptable ranges. I haven't seen any difference in gas mileage either.
     
  7. JasonScott

    JasonScott Junior Member

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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    What are the terms of the warranty? Specifically worth asking: What is the threshold for failure? What would their remedy be? Is that one replacement per lifetime or do they just give you a battery good for one more year each year forever? Are you okay with the labor to install it/them?

    $2k to get 8-ish years vs. $750 to get 1-2 years is how I see this.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed, depends on how long you want to keep her
     
  10. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    IF the vehicle is driving fine, no codes, no failures, I still would just drive it.
    Without the Dr. Prius app, that's pretty much how most people deal with it.
    It's NOT exactly ignorance is bliss, but IMO the Hybrid Battery is kind of a use it...until IT tells you it's time.

    The diagnosis may be right on, so you could start having problems, tomorrow. BUT...the converse is, you could go months, potentially even longer.
    I personally wouldn't replace a battery that is functionally still working, because a diagnostic app is telling me the battery will need to be replaced "soon".
    I would sit back, and see how long "soon" can become.

    In the meantime, the advantage knowing the battery is on the weaker side, is being able to put money back, and make decisions about how you want to handle the situation WHEN you start to get codes, and failure has arrived.
    Until then? IMO you have a working Prius with a working battery.
     
  11. topshot

    topshot Member

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    1.42v difference between blocks is huge. Not sure how that can only occur sometimes. How often have you had to clear the codes?
     
  12. JasonScott

    JasonScott Junior Member

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    I usually have to clear it if I drive the car longer than 1 hour. I keep a check on it with the dr. Prius app. Once I clear it though, the voltage difference is more like 0.5.
     
  13. topshot

    topshot Member

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    That is still a huge difference. It should be closer to 0.1v. You need a replacement soon.
     
  14. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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