What is the traction battery on a Prius?
The smaller electric motor uses the traction battery to spin the engine up before fuel and spark are applied. It will automatically start the engine if the traction battery reaches 40% (which is shown as two bars on the indicator) so that it can build up more charge and prevent full discharge.
How often does a Prius need a new battery?
And second, Toyota says a Prius battery will last between 100,000-150,000 miles or between 8-10 years. However, there are owners that have eked out far more mileage, as well as others who’ve reported fewer.
Can a Toyota Prius battery be replaced under warranty?
The sad part is this, very few Prius owners get their battery covered under warranty. Once battery failure occurs, you only have two rather expensive options replacement of the battery or the car. Neither of which a hybrid owner wants to have to deal with.
How can I tell if my Toyota Prius traction battery is failing?
These cars were meant for better fuel econ than what I am getting. Use the Carista OBD2 Tool and the Dr. Prius App to help you determine this. A pre-failure pack is ripe for one of several things. You can of course replace the pack, but with what becomes the next question.
What makes a Toyota Prius last so long?
Prius and all other hybrids that are using NiMH have software built into the BCM (battery Control Module) that only allows the battery to cycle anywhere from 20 to 80 percent state of charge. In doing so, this keeps the battery chemistry happy, and we can see a longer life out of it.
Do you have to use NiCad batteries in Toyota Prius?
That is the bad news, battery failure is inevitable and will happen, it is just a matter of when. Luckily, we do not have to use NiCad batteries in our Prius, but we do have NiMH. This battery technology was hailed at the solution to the battery memory problem that plagued its predecessor.