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Let discuss about the step by step process on how to recondition a prius battery, Where do you know the average cost of a new Prius battery? It’s $750. You can save all that money, at least for a few years, if you recondition the battery. Reconditioning a Prius battery not only helps you save money but also extends the battery life by at least a couple of years, if not more.
The Toyota Prius is in high demand because it comes with a hybrid battery made using Nickel Metal Hydride or NiMH. This type of battery consumes less fuel and has lower carbon emissions than the rest of the car brands. Moreover, these batteries can run flawlessly for more than 250,000 miles.
But you can’t expect the batteries to last forever. They will eventually break down, and you may want to consider replacing them. But before you do, try reconditioning the battery first.
Access Now: Dead Simple Trick To Bring Any Battery Back To Life
Safety Precautions
Although reconditioning a Prius battery is easy, you should always follow all the safety measures before starting. Remember, you are dealing with a battery here, and you never know when an accident can take place. Here are some of the essential safety precautions that you should keep in mind before, during, and after reconditioning the battery.
- Keep the tools and materials in a secure place for reconditioning. You can even use a Prius Reconditioning Kit available at hardware stores.
- Wear your protective attire like mask, gloves, and goggles before starting the reconditioning process.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area. If you are working in your garage, keep the door and windows open. Also, make sure you have a good supply of water before starting.
- Check the polarity of the wires and circuit while working. This should reduce the risks of short-circuiting or even electrocution. Prius batteries usually produce 100 to 300 Volts, which is dangerous enough to electrocute you.
Reconditioning Prius battery
First of all, you don’t need to open the Prius battery to recondition it. You just need to conduct deep charging cycles to bring the battery up to speed. Given below is a step by step guide on what you have to do.
Step 1
Connect the charger to your Prius battery and keep it on a long charging cycle. All the modules should show their respective charging status.
Step 2
Keep checking the modules from time to time. Once they reach their maximum capacity, disconnect the charger. It’s now time to drain the battery fully.
Step 3
Drain the charge of the Prius battery. Then, let the battery rest for at least an hour before you put it in the next full deep charging cycle. Make sure the modules read 0% before connecting the charger to the battery.
Step 4
You should repeat the first three steps, 3 to 5 times continuously. This should show a significant change in battery backup. The battery would charge faster than before and discharge slowly. It means the battery is back from its sleep mode.
Step 5
If you don’t want to go through this rigorous procedure, you can buy a Prius Battery Reconditioning Kit and follow the instructions in the manual.
Prius Battery Reconditioning kits cost nearly a hundred bucks, which is still cheaper compared to a new battery. If you follow the reconditioning instructions carefully, you may end up using the battery for another six years.
Frequently Asked Questions on Prius Battery Reconditioning
Those who are reconditioning a Prius battery for the first time may have various questions regarding the entire process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions on Prius battery reconditioning that should clear all your doubts:
1. What happens when a Prius battery goes bad?
Most of the time, Prius batteries last between 4 to 6 years. But even before that period comes to an end, you may have to face the problem of a faulty battery and a warning light that asks you to get it replaced. Once you experience this issue, you may ask yourself, “What happens when a Prius battery goes bad?”
The most common issue that’s associated with the Prius batteries is a parasitic power drain. They consume power even when they are not being used. For example, when your car is off, all the modules except lights will have to be switched off to prevent parasitic power.
You should ideally follow a battery reconditioning procedure to provide a new life to the battery. Some people also recommend copper tape to plug the leakage. But everything boils down to reconditioning the battery to improve its backup time and lifespan.
2. How often do I need to charge and discharge the Prius battery to make it last longer?
Ideally, you should recondition your battery at least once in three to six months. It ensures that the battery is in proper condition and can carry a maximum charge for a significant period without discharging quickly.
3. Can I keep the battery idle at room temperature?
You can, but it would lose nearly 30 to 50% of its charge over time, even if you don’t use it. That’s the issue with all types of NiMH batteries. They discharge quickly if you keep them at room temperature. Ideally, you should keep the batteries in a cool place that doesn’t have moisture to keep the charge intact.
But it’s not possible to pack a Prius battery in an airtight bag and keep it in the freezer. The best thing to do is to use the battery once you finish reconditioning it. That not only keeps the battery healthy but also increases its lifespan by a few years.
4. What is the average cost of a Prius battery?
Remember, Prius is a hybrid battery, and these batteries cost much more than its competitors. The average cost of a Prius battery is $750. But it can go up to $1000 or even $6000, depending on the make and model of your car.
The approximate price of a brand new hybrid battery of one of the latest models of Toyota is between $2200 and $2600. This also includes the cost of installation, though. But imagine, you can save all that money if you know how to recondition the old battery. If you can’t follow the steps mentioned above, you still have the option of buying one of the Prius Battery Reconditioning Kit.
5. How do I know if my Prius battery is dying?
There are several signs that lead you to the conclusion that your Prius battery is dying. But before you conclude anything, you must understand that hybrid batteries are different from traditional batteries. Given below are some of the signs that point toward the fact that your Prius battery is dying:
- The decrease in fuel economy, which is natural when the battery ages.
- The slow-cranking time which means a poor backup.
- Warning lights on the dashboard for the battery because the voltage is fluctuating.
- Battery light blinking, which means the battery is fully discharged.
Benefits of Reconditioning Your Prius Battery
Firstly, you save thousands of bucks if you recondition the prius battery. Most importantly, reconditioning the battery every 3 to 6 months would eventually improve its lifespan by almost six years. You not only save money because you don’t have to buy a new battery but also don’t have to pay anything for its installation.
Secondly, you are doing a favor to the environment. Hybrid batteries make the soil and water toxic, thus affecting plants, birds, and animals. Do yourself and nature a favor by learning to recondition the battery because the steps involved are not hard to follow.
Now that you know how to recondition a Prius battery gather all the necessary tools, and follow the step by step instructions as mentioned above.
Conclusion: How to Improve Your Fuel Economy
Reconditioning the Prius battery will not only save you from the cost of a new one but also keep you from making the environment and earth a poorer place to live in. If you want to do your part, learn how to recondition a Prius battery because the steps are not hard to follow, and in the process, you will not only learn but also save thousands of dollars.
Thanks for reading through the whole area of my write-up. I hope I had the ability to share good concepts concerning the topic. There are many points to obtain from replacing batteries.
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