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Battery recomendation for a 2008

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by MontyB, Nov 18, 2016.

  1. MontyB

    MontyB Junior Member

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    Hi all:

    I would like to install a new battery in my new-to-me, but used Prius before Michigan's winter weather arrives.
    I have snooped through a few threads about battery recommendations and this leads me to the following question that I would like to pose now.

    Without requiring modifying the battery compartment or having to buy "modification kit", in your experience what are a few aftermarket batteries that might be a better choice than the battery Toyota supplies through it's dealer network?

    Thanks in advance for your valued suggestions.

    - "Labwagn" in Michigan
     
    #1 MontyB, Nov 18, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have sks? that's the larger battery.
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 18, 2016
  3. MontyB

    MontyB Junior Member

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    Bisco, I am not sure. I haven't looked to see what I presently have. I only had the inclination to replace the battery before winter arrives.
     
    #3 MontyB, Nov 18, 2016
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can you unlock the door by touching the handle with the fob in your pocket?
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 18, 2016
  5. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Are you planning to replace the 12V battery, the HV traction battery or possibly the key fob battery?
     
    #5 DonDNH, Nov 18, 2016
  6. MontyB

    MontyB Junior Member

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    The battery that runs all the accessories in the car including an electric blanket that I will keep in the car for emergency situations. I live in rural Michigan where our roads are plowed (necessarily) last. It is not at all uncommon for snow falls and drifts to result in snow accumulations of 1-2'. I want to ensure that the battery I have in the car is up to the task of keeping my family warm should they get stranded.
     
    #6 MontyB, Nov 18, 2016
  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Sounds like the only thing that makes sense is to replace the 12v.
    Nothing wrong with OEM Toyota.
    Many have gone to the Optima yellow top which is a deep cycle.

    These are smaller batts. In emerg you want to keep car on (in Park? I think) so the hybrid system keeps a steady charge on the 12v, and you can buy an inverter to give emerg power to house too. But it works fine with OEM batt.
     
    #7 wjtracy, Nov 18, 2016
  8. les.warden

    les.warden Junior Member

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    We have a 2008. Mid Illinois is our location. I replaced the PS rear battery (12V) with a yellow top battery. It's higher priced, but well worth it. Look at its comparative specs. Pretty easy to do yourself too. These forums will tell you the things you have to reset, like the radio stations. Good luck!


    iPhone ?
     
    #8 les.warden, Nov 18, 2016
  9. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    I'd get the $120 one on Amazon. Optimas ain't what they used to be. The Toyota is $200+ and no better than either.
     
    #9 kenoarto, Nov 18, 2016
    exilefromcuba likes this.
  10. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

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    I think it would be extremely rare for your battery to die....I was looking on this forum a while back and someone said they use a small $30 tractor battery to power their Prius! I'll try to find the post...
     
    #10 MilkyWay, Dec 3, 2016
  11. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Correction: 12v battery lasts a bit longer than most car batteries, but not much -- it needs to be replaced every 5 years (give or take a year). The HV usually lasts as long as the car.
     
    #11 kenoarto, Dec 3, 2016
  12. Neohybrid

    Neohybrid Not-so-junior member

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    Just replaced the aux. battery in the 2008 today. I was getting several of the strange happenings you see posted on the forums (long beep after shutting down, red triangle of death, MFD telling me to put the car in park, VSC light on). Battery was original so I can't complain about getting eight years out of it. Replaced with Optima ($200 with core). Took 30 minutes. Had to reset SKS, auto up/down on window, and radio station presets. Hoping to see mileage go back up to high 40's.
     
    #12 Neohybrid, Dec 8, 2016
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