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12V Battery: replace or wait until it fails

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by rammitchri, Mar 4, 2024.

  1. rammitchri

    rammitchri New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2024
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    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    I just purchased a 2012 Prius C One with 138k miles. Loving it so far. I have most of the maintenance records from the previous owner, so I'm planning maintenance to do this spring. It doesn't look like the 12V battery has ever been replaced. It looks like it'll cost $250 to replace it, but I'm not having any issues, even though the car is 12 years old.

    Is it worth me replacing it or should I wait until I see some signs of it deteriorating? And on that topic, aside from the electronics not coming on when I turn the key, what would I even look for to see if the 12V battery is deteriorating?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,173
    6,718
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    How big of a deal is it for you to get a sudden no-start? For some that's a minor inconvenience and for others it would ruin their whole day to be stranded.

    I'd just replace the battery.