Shipping my Prius overseas - 12v battery, transaxle fluid...

I don't know about durability. What I was referring to is that a "normal" battery that was referred to in the string is a "flooded" type battery whereas the OEM and most replacement batteries for the Prius are AGM type. The following is copied from another source for clarification of the difference of the construction thereof.

Flooded or Wet Cells are the most common lead-acid battery-type in use today. They offer the most size and design options and are built for many different uses. In the marine business, they usually are not sealed so the user can replenish any electrolyte the battery vented while charging the battery. Typically, the cells can be access via small ~1/2" holes in the top casing of the battery.

The plastic container used for flooded cells will have one or more cells molded into it. Each cell will feature a grid of lead plates along with an electrolyte based on sulphuric acid. Since the grid is not supported except at the edges, flooded lead-acid batteries are mechanically the weakest batteries.

Since the container is not sealed, great care has to be taken to ensure that the electrolyte does not come into contact with you.

Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries are the latest step in the evolution of lead-acid batteries. AGM uses a fiberglass like separator to hold the electrolyte in place. The physical bond between the separator fibers, the lead plates, and the container make AGMs spill-proof and the most vibration and impact resistant lead-acid batteries available today. Even better, AGMs use almost the same voltage set-points as flooded cells and thus can be used as drop-in replacements for flooded cells.
Source: Battery Types: Flooded versus AGM and Gel

Since the AGM type battery has no freely moving "electrolyte" within the battery since it is absorbed into the "glass mat" it is spill proof. It can also be used at any angle if one chose to do so.

In the event of a rear end collision in my opinion the location of the 12 volt auxiliary battery is critical. There is a very small distance between the end of the battery and the back end of the Prius. It would not take a whole lot of force to crush the rear end enough to fracture the case of said flooded battery which could result in the electrolyte (sulfuric acid) to possibly spread throughout the cabin and possibly injure occupants within. I think Toyota made a wise choice in choosing the AGM type of battery considering the fact of where the battery is located.

One other thing that is not mentioned is that the Prius battery is a sealed battery that is vented with a tube to the roadway below. A normal flooded battery is vented through the vent caps on top of each cell. When you charge a battery it is normal for "hydrogen" gas to be vented from them. Hydrogen is flammable and in a enclosed space can be rather combustible.

Yes, we are talking about what if's and stuff like that. But in the real world what if's do happen from time to time. Saving a buck is great, but if it is putting a possible risk on you or your loved one is it really worth it?

 

Tony,

I have no problem with the battery being in the back end as long as they are AGM type. What I was referring to is that the "normal" type of battery that was referred to was more than likely a "flooded" type battery. Those are traditionally cheaper than AGM batteries.

And yes, I would speculate that is one of the reasons that batteries in the back end today are commonly found to be AGM. Remember I said "speculate".

The Exide you have is also marketed here in the states. It too is a AGM type battery. As I said, I don't have a problem with the AGM type. What scares me is when folks talk about putting the cheaper normal (flooded) batteries in the Prius that could be crushed in the event of a major rear end crash.

I think I covered that pretty well in my post before this one.

FWIW, here in the states flooded type batteries are still in use. It is a common thing here.

 

Some very good points raised there and I am probably naive to think that others actually put the same thought into these things as alot of "car people" do. I think about and research most things when it comes to my vehicle and most people don't, it's just a way of getting from A to B. I replaced the battery in the Prius myself and noted the venting etc whereas some mightn't even bother to connect the little hose outside to let the gases escape

 

This thread is about "Shipping my Prius Overseas". So how has it become a

If you want to have yet another battery discussion, maybe a new post on that subject is in order. No offence intended.

 

Great price. Good luck with your international assignment.

(In 2012 I spent seven weeks in Hong Kong working on a business assignment, that was really interesting and fun. No car, I lived in an apartment building and relied exclusively upon public transit - subway, buses and the occasional taxi.)

 

I have a 2011 Prius. I called my Toyota service department today and asked if the transmission or transaxle fluid needed to be changed. I was told it was designed to last for the life of the car and never needs changing. They told me the transmission and transaxle fluid are the same. That is what I was told and that is what I intend to do.

 

Good for you Okinawa. Did the service dept. advise how long the life of the car is?

 

150K miles is typically the design life expected by the automobile industry. If you are content with that, then no need to change the transaxle ATF.

 

No, they did not tell me how long the life of the car is but a Prius will last a very long time. I'm 76 so I'm not too concerned about that. It will last longer than I will. I like to keep my car well maintained so that is why I asked them that question. I have 44,000 miles on my car. I figure just oil changes, cabin and engine air filters is all that is needed until I reach 100,000 miles. If I drive it that long, instead of trading it in and giving it to a car dealer, I'll just find a soldier and give it to them. They are my favorite people.

 

Thanks Patrick, 150,000 is exactly the figure that I had in mind.

 

then at least print out an instruction sheet how to jump start a Gen2 Prius using the front fuse box contacts and tape it to the wind screen. Charge current is only 3.5A. They need to let it sit in idle and P for 20 min or so.


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