1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Hybrid battery problem?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dominicsavio, Jun 27, 2009.

  1. dominicsavio

    dominicsavio New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2008
    83
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Folks,
    My hybrid battery never gets fully charged while driving. I've never seen it fully charged (green) and only very rarely seen it one level below fully charged (also green). Most times, it is blue but I've also noticed it drains pretty quickly (city driving or starting up the next day) --> usually half or sometimes less charge.

    My car is '06 with 28000 miles.

    Any idea if this is a problem?

    I do have the extended platinum warranty.

    Would be good to get some input...

    Thanks
     
    #1 dominicsavio, Jun 27, 2009
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,749
    5,243
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Nothing is wrong.

    That's what you are suppose to see.

    Being at 6-bars most of the time is what contributes to battery longevity.
    .
     
    #2 john1701a, Jun 27, 2009
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,199
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Your car sounds normal. If you want to see eight green bars you'll need to find a mountainous road where you can mostly coast downhill ~1,000 ft elevation drop or more.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Jun 27, 2009
  4. dominicsavio

    dominicsavio New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2008
    83
    1
    0
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Okay, thanks for the info. It's good to have perspective. I usually have 5-6 bars (blue; assuming 8 is the max which I think it is but am not entirely sure)....

    No my next attempt is to see how I can cross the 60 MPG barrier. No matter what I try, I'm averaging about 57-58 (SE Pennsylvania, warm weather, No AC so conditions are ideal). I

    I do P&G whenever I can, minimize EV mode, etc but I guess I need to do more. 've started reading through the finer technicalities...
     
    #4 dominicsavio, Jun 28, 2009
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    The control system works very hard to keep the battery exactly where yours is. The car needs power from the battery when you ask for it, but has to save room for regenerative braking. That's why it stays toward the middle top of the range.

    Tom
     
    #5 qbee42, Jun 28, 2009
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Do not hesitate to use the air conditioner. The battery system is cooled using cabin air. If you are too hot while driving then the battery system may be also, which will reduce MPGs.
     
    #6 richard schumacher, Jun 29, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)