Leaving on a 3500 mile round trip on my 2008 Prius with 'Original Hybrid' Battery-Wish me Luck

Unless the HV battery has previously coded, highway driving is about the easiest thing for even a weak HV batt so you should be fine. I drove across Texas (8+ hours) with a failing (coded) wak-a-mole battery to get a new one and except for watching it quickly drain at a fast food drive thru it was fine.

Suggestion: To reduce its load but not let it get too hot, I would probably stop using the a/c once you're north enough to see sub-80's outside temps. As a battery engineer once told me about temps and battery chemistry, if you're comfortable, the battery is too.

GOOD LUCK!

 

The car tries to be pretty much load-neutral on the battery during highway driving, except when you're slowing or accelerating, so the engine will be pretty much the source of power for everything, including the A/C. So you can set the A/C wherever makes you comfortable; what's comfortable for you is generally comfortable for the battery, and load on the battery isn't really an issue in that setting.

 

Where are you driving across Texas in only 8 hours??

I wouldn't be concerned about the battery unless its previously given you code or signs that suggested it wanted to fail. As mentioned it is much easier on the battery when driving hwy vs city.

 

Corpus Christi-Weatherford and then back with a new battery.

 

all the best! no guts, no glory

 

I’m sure it will be fine! These batteries loved being used. It will probably be good for the ole battery!

 

Just did a 4K trip in our 2012 Prius v (wagon) with 165K on her....and original battery. Still going strong!

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=16JH5jS16swVleaz2iiR0Lh8A8WbYrqq3&usp=sharing

LOTS of up and down mountain ranges and such...and we did just fine. I think you will be fine as well.

 

You never said how many miles your car has. I’d be interested to know!

 

We took my wife's 2007 with well over 100k miles on a major trip a couple years ago. Went from Tampa through Michigan and the UP and on into Ontario. Then over to the Toronto area and back south through the Appalachians. It did great!

 

Pics?

Or will you be starting a new thread like you did last year .

Glad the trip went well.

 

Just for you...here is my 'public' album. Some of these are posted on Google Maps ( I'm now a 'level 7 contributor'...whatever that means ).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/24SwkbeqMzSiecAj6

• Remember...clicking on a photo should, in theory, bring up a mini map and info. If not, click the "i" info icon on the upper right.

I may post a trip report. Hmm...what sub forum should I do that on? Too bad we don't have a 'travel' sub forum to collect these trip reports and such...

Actually the previous trip was two years ago...no road trip last year...which was a bummer! Time files..eh?

 

Fred's House of Pancakes would work.

Times does fly.

Pics of wild sheep and the Goblins playground are great.

Looks like a nice summer adventure.

 

As you can see, I'm a big fan of rock art, etc...

Daughter was with for the first time ever ( her summer job was cancelled due to covid )...so we revisited some old favorites as well as visiting some new ones. I really love SE Utah...but it is HOT during the summer. We were hiking in 100+ degree weather on a couple of afternoons. Because of our schedule, we had to hike them when we got to 'em...or we would miss it.

 

Cool trip!!! I've been to some of those spots (Black Canyon of the Gunnison, for one). But Bryce is still on my bucket list. We were close but didn't have time in the travel itinerary. I'm guessing it deserves more than a passing glance.

 

2008 is actually @bisco favorite year.
I also think 2009 and maybe 2008 were perhaps a better HV battery than prior MY.
Our 2006 HV batt just died at 14 yrs and 192K but we could still drive it with the Red Triangle.

 

04 and 08, two beast years