Is a replacement 12V battery necessary?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(magneto99 @ Dec 11 2006, 09:32 PM) [snapback]360795[/snapback]</div>

Three years on a 12 V battery that's as expensive as that on the Prius doesn't seem very good.
It might be worth buying a "portable battery". I'm not sure what they're really called, but you can charge it on your home 120V AC and carry it in the car with you for emergencies.

I wonder what kind of a load they put on it to test it. Have you been able to start it easily since then?

From what I've read on PC, the battery doesn't have to provide much power. Mainly it just powers the electronics (the computer, etc.).

Just my 2 cents. I'll be interested in what others have to say.

Dave M.

 

Batteries do degrade over time. You can get a second opinion at other shops or at AutoZone. AutoZone can test your battery for free. I saw that they have batteries for the 2005 model, they might have something for the 03?

 

I'd get a second opinion. Batteries do degrade over time, and you may indeed need a replacement. However, if you aren't noticing any problems with it, and haven't needed to jump it before then or since then, i would be highly skeptical of what the dealership is telling you.


The battery is used to boot the computers and close the relays to the HV battery, which then provides power to the rest of the car. The HV battery recharges the 12V battery, and supplies power to the 12V system when the car is running (the same way an alternator in a regular car works). Without a 12V battery (or a dead one), the car wouldn't be able to start, as it wouldn't be capable of connecting to the HV battery or starting up the computers.

 

I think getting a second opinion is a good idea. When you are having your car serviced they tend to leave interior lights and other things on. This hasn't much effect on a normal car battery but the small Prius battery can be used up in a hurry. Toyota charges about 5 times as much for Prius batteries as they are worth anyway, so if you can find one elsewhere that's good.

 

I was just curious. Has anyone actually purchased a 12v non-dealer replacement battery for their 3rd Generation Prius? I have a 2008 that may need replacement and wondered if anyone got a non toyotal battery (of higher capacity) and actually had it installed by themselves. thanks. Wanted to know if it was do-able or better off paying $250 to dealer. Didn't see any on Youtube.
Thanks

 

The Optima yellow-top battery enjoys popularity among some PC members.

If you can install the 12V battery yourself, another possibility is for you to purchase the correct battery from your local Toyota dealer's parts dept, which is the option that I chose. MSRP is $139, but some dealers are not ashamed to charge more.

 

Changing out the 12V battery isn't difficult, just time consuming; say 30-40 minutes.

Here's my experience: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...2v-battery-replacement-preemptive-strike.html