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The Toyota Prius was the first mainstream hybrid vehicle, and for years the Prius has been a top choice for people who want to prioritize environmental consciousness and efficiency above all else. Because they’re made by Toyota, Priuses usually feature the typical Toyota longevity which has become a hallmark of the brand.
However, as these vehicles age, their batteries can begin to wane or fail altogether. If you own a high mileage Prius and you have noticed issues with your battery, we can help. As a leading provider of auto repair and maintenance services in the San Jose area, we have worked on countless Priuses over the years. Our team has the right experience and equipment to diagnose, repair, and service your Prius, and we would love to be your go-to source for any auto needs.
In this article, we will discuss warning signs of Prius battery failure, what types of repairs we can perform for Prius batteries, and how the replacement process works if the battery can’t be repaired.
Warning Signs for Battery Failure
Sometimes a Prius battery will fail with no warning (especially in older models) but usually there are some common themes to watch for before the battery goes bad. If the vehicle seems like it won’t respond to acceleration, is getting fewer miles to the gallon, or if you notice the engine running more often than usual, then it’s possible your battery is beginning to fail. Issues with charging, including rapid charging which does not produce long lasting power, random fluctuation in the battery charge level gauge, or trouble charging at all, all also point to battery failure.
Battery Repairs
When a Prius battery fails or is failing, the battery might actually be able to be repaired rather than being replaced. While some people think batteries can’t be repaired, our team has been able to replace or repair individual components of Prius batteries rather than replacing whole batteries themselves, saving our clients a great deal of money. Essentially, a Prius battery repair involves replacing different cells of the battery and can be as simple as replacing one or two cells or as complex as a full battery refurbishment. In either case, if the batteries can be repaired rather than replaced, it’s almost always a more cost effective option.
Replacing Prius Batteries
While we repair many Prius batteries which are showing signs of failure, sometimes the battery is too far gone and must be replaced. Since we are an independent auto shop, we can usually save our customers money instead of using the dealership to replace their batteries, and get it done sooner. When we diagnose a Prius and replacement is necessary, we are sure to explain the rationale to the client and ensure they understand the plan and price to get their car back up and running quickly.
If your Prius is having battery trouble, come see us today for friendly service and get back to driving comfortably for years to come.