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Avalon 12volt

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by Munpot42, Nov 13, 2019.

  1. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I have a 13 Avalon hybrid, next month (December) will be it 6th year in service. How long should I expect this battery to last? I assume it is the same battery as in the Camry Hybrid. I could be proactive, but I don't want to waste money. I have had the car since new.
     
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    TOYOTA Australia puts a 10 yr/unlimited warranty on Camry (and all Hybrids) batteries. I've spoken to people with PRIUS with well over 10 years trouble free.
     
  3. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Thanks, but that is for the main battery I'm talking about the small battery that starts the computers.
     
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes, that was the main battery.

    I now see your heading - the 12volt is not as easy to guess - I've had some which lasted 2 yrs, others went 7 yrs. The only thing I'm fairly sure of - they don't like heat.

    Unlike a conventional vehicle, which uses it to not just run the computers, but also a high-drain starter motor - and that's where they usually fail on a conventional vehicle. You turn the key, the lights come on like normal, but it won't turn the engine over.

    Hopefully with a hybrid, it will give you a low voltage warning. Maybe other Avalon owners will reply with personal experience.
     
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Six years is around what I'd expect for a battery here, but starting in cold winters takes a toll on non-hybrid ones.

    I don't now how you would tell if the battery is starting to go beyond a warning like. In the past, you'll notice starting will take more effort. Some auto parts stores advertise free battery testing, but I have no experience with them.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Invest in something like a Solar BA9 (electronic load tester), get beyond guesswork. They're about $60. Christmas is coming...
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    same here with our 13 hycam. i hadn't even given it a thought until i saw this thread. my 12 just went out, but its a much smaller battery. hmm...
     
  8. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I replace at around 5 years just like I do with tires. They are safety items to me and so I don't try to eek out the last $ of value against the risk of being stranded.
     
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  9. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I am hedging my bets, I've bought one of those portable jump starter batteries and have thrown it in the trunk.
     
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  10. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Don't forget to keep it charged - I saw one once, hadn't been used - and was dead when needed.
     
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  11. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I had been getting low gas mileage for the last 6 months or so and I thought perhaps the 12 volt might be the problem. The battery was the original 7+ years old so I replaced it. I'm now a believer my gas mileage is back to normal. Thanks to other posters who discovered that an old 12 volt sometimes keeps the engine running longer trying to keep the old 12 volt charged.
     
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and yet, some experts refuse to believe...
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    now i'm wondering about the '13 hycam 12v again. we've driven it so little for the last 17 months, idk if that's good or bad.
    i hate to replace it and have it keep sitting.
     
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  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Trickle charger:whistle:?
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    If it isn’t going to be driven for over a week, I swap it back and forth with the truck.
    It generally gets out a few times a week, and if it dies , I hope it happens at home, and not after driving somewhere.
    Static voltage is still high 12’s
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I’ve given up on drive-it-to-charge usage for our 2010; just keep it plugged into a CTEK 4.3 smart charger, pretty much constantly. Will be on a modest road trip next week though.
     

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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree on prius, i think the hycam is a better setup.

    (hope i didn't just jinx myself (n))
     
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