Life of auxiliary battery 2005 prius

My Prius has been losing power when not started in a few days. I have had to jump start and then it is fine. The dealer said that the Auxiliary battery needed to be replaced and that would cost $400.

Anyone else facing similar issues?
Thanks for your time to respond

 

I replaced my 12 volt battery last fall - rather than take a risk of getting stuck somewhere. Five years old and I could have probably gone another year. I paid $139 retail price plus $40 installation fee for a total of $179 from a Toyota dealer! I suggest you find another dealer - as $400 is off the mark.

FYI, because I have the smart key feature in my 2005 it is a slightly different battery from the one for the 2005 without smart key - but, the price I was quoted was the same for either battery.

Springtime

 

Yes, it's very likely your 12 volt is bad by now. $400 is a ripoff.

There was some confusion about the part # and sudden price change of the OEM 12 volt. See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...battery-part-28800-21171-a-5.html#post1342799 and the earlier posts for the part cost.

I ended up DIYing using the Optima 12 volt w/kit I mentioned at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ry-why-elearnaid-seattle-area-installers.html.

 

i see no one throws out a simple number

if you have a genII with smart key... 5 years. if you don't have smart key, 6 or 7 years.

to be safe... i would say 5 years even though i do realize the oem battery is expensive. i have an aftermarket battery with larger terminals (i modified things to make it work)

if you you an inverter and large audio systems then i would say 4 to 5 years.

note: if you ever drain down your battery a few times before the end of it's expected life, expect to replace it within the next year. it simply get too weak from the abuse. (or at least that's what i've experianced... it as never the same after being drained a few times)

 

Don't push your luck. Car batteries are designed to last 4 years.

 

No, they're designed to work until the ability to hold a charge is greatly reduced. Depending on usage and maintenance, that can vary from a couple of years to several years. Mine on the Prius has lasted over 7 years now. On the other hand I'm on my 5th battery in my 22-year old Miata. (It tends to go flat if I don't drive it for a couple of weeks)

 

romad: flat after a couple weeks is dead... past dead.. you're running your miata on a shorted system when you do.. i might slowly bring down your alternator.. it may not...

the prius 12v battery doesn't show any signs of wear till it's greatly reduced.. by that time it simply may not start.. it really is a working with no problems to a complete problem, pretty much overnight.

anyone bragging that their prius battery last over 5 years isn't bragging.. it's negligence to your car.

people on here say they last 4 years because any longer than that and we start to see "12v left me stranded post".... not that 10 percent of us get different results.. but 90% fall in that category so we tend to no push others in a wrong direction (pushing their luck)

it's like changing oil early.. it's taking good car of your vehicle. just like you don't have to put fuel in... but if you don't, don't expect the electrical side to get you there.. not that it can't pull you that extra mile.. it's irresponsible.

 

No, it's been that way since 1989. Of course I am still on the original alternator, so ...

Mazda stopped carrying the Panasonic AGM battery that was designed specifically for the Miata (battery is located in the right fender well of the trunk so the + & - terminals are reversed from normal) years ago, so we have to use either one from WestCo or from AutoZone that match the original physical design.

 

I accidentally drained my 12V aux battey in my 2005 Prius. Since the car has 154K on it, I started doing some preliminary research on replacing the aux battery. I jump-started the car and went into maitainence mode to check the battey health, looked like all the numbers were still good, so I may put hold on replacing the battery for the time being.
I appreciate very much so many good posts ranging from buying/replacing with the OEM Part #28800-21171, DIYing with Optima YT D51 and several other small marine/auto batteries. I would like to share with you one really low cost ($66) DIY option:
Please see Costco Item 201864, it is a D51, CCA 500 (not relevant), RC 85, 9.3125 L x 5.0 W x 8.6875 H (inch). I believe Optima D51 (D51R) has almost the same demensions (with/without post height). You will need D51.
I went to my local Costco and only saw D51R (Costco Item 12881, I took several pictures, costs $66, I can email to you). I did measurement on the physical battery: 9-9.25 L x 5 W x 7 5/8 H w/o post (inch). For you DIYers, you will need terminal adpater kits and it will be fairly easy. Also it is sealed and I can't find any vent opening/connection on the battery (Please comment). Also please broadcast which Costco you find that carries the item 201864 (Kirkland Signature Lifecycle Fitment Code 20).
Thanks and Happy DIYing.

 

If you drive solo 100% of the time and do not mind the thought of explosion in the cab or flying battery acid, one could buy any battery that physically fits.

If you drive with loved ones with you, it would be unethical to drive a Prius that used a 12 volt battery that was not AGM and did not have external venting. You are deciding to maim or kill them if your battery integrity fails.

 

I might be the winner here - 2005 Prius ( Aug ) 186K and just replaced the original auxiliary battery! Got the red triangle (!) and parking brake problem message - signaling the auxiliary battery problem. Ordered the Optima Yellow Top DS46B24R from Amazon @ 147.05. I am in NJ, ordered it on Monday, paid $15 for standard shipping- normally 5 days - it arrived the next day. Exact same size as the original - had it in in under an hour. Had never run the the battery down over the life of the car so never jumped it. Not garage kept either.

 

well done!

 

I have a 2009 with smart key system and am thinking I should probably replace the 12v battery soon. What is the current thinking here regarding using the OEM replacement vs the Optima Yellow Top? My local dealership is quoting me $190 for the OEM replacement.

 

it's varied. some have had good and bad experiences with both. if it's $190. installed, that's a great price!

 

It's actually $190 for the battery itself plus $115 for the installation so $305 total.

 

you can get an optima for around $150., check the warranties and labor to install it. personally, i'd just go with an oem, they've improved the warranty, and it's been a pretty reliable battery. there are other options as well.

 

I have a 2004 and in the summer of 2008 I replaced the small battery. It is now nearly summer of 2016 and that little battery is still working well (at least I think). There are times where I don't drive the car for five days and the battery seems fine when I eventually open the doors. Lately I've been using the car daily and it still seems fine. I guess I'm pretty lucky to have an 8 year old battery but I am sure it will need replacing soon.

 

that's a good run. you may want to keep an eye on it.

 

We bought our 2004 in July of that year with 0kms and now 12 1/2 years later we have 277 000 kms. Yesterday I had to replace the auxiliary battery. We live in a northern climate but the car has spent it's down time in a non-heated garage. I think the battery life points to the quality built into Toyota's parts.

 

Hmm. I see I never made a follow-up post on my Prius 12 battery. It just died one day in early January 2012. I went down to the local dealer and bought a replacement, which I installed myself. So I got just under 7.5 years on the original. In about 4 weeks the replacement battery will be 5 years old.