12 volt Start Battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Joker05, Aug 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM.

  1. Joker05

    Joker05 New Member

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    Hi all,

    Have you guys replaced your 12V start battery? If so, what are your opinions on after-market batteries?

    I am currently in the process of replacing the hybrid batteries (awaiting shipment), and my after-market 12V is 4+ years old. I priced the AGM battery at several dealers, and they want $600+ for it. That seems way too much to me, and I wanted to know if there is any good reason I should pay that much. I see other AGM batteries for around $200. Thank you in advance for your advice.
     
    #1 Joker05, Aug 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wow that is pricey. Even in Canadian dollars, my 12V replacement for the Gen 3 was $200 10 years ago (so probably 300-$400 now.)
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Aug 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no good reason at that price. i paid $200. for my oem, and haven't read about anyone being quoted too much more from dealers unless it included labor, which is a ripoff.
    any aftermarket agm that is the same size is fine, there haven't been any bad reports here. check walmart, et al.
    if you buy online, consider the warranty return problem, if needed down the road.
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 12, 2025 at 1:29 PM
  4. Joker05

    Joker05 New Member

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    Thanks, that's what I thought.
     
    #4 Joker05, Aug 12, 2025 at 1:37 PM
  5. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Try Walmart for the 12v battery. Should be about $180.
     
    #5 Brian1954, Aug 12, 2025 at 5:53 PM
  6. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    One good reason just might be tariffs.
    But, make sure you are comparing aftermarket AGM with OEM AGM. Flooded lead/Acid batteries are a lot cheaper but are not recommended for use in a Prius. They don't last as long for one thing, and they don't tolerate extreme discharge as well as AGM, although that doesn't mean you should go doing that to an AGM.
     
    #6 dolj, Aug 12, 2025 at 11:52 PM
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    .
     
    #7 dolj, Aug 12, 2025 at 11:54 PM
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