How to Make Your Prius Last Forever

If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient car with plenty of cargo capacity, the Toyota Prius could be just right for you. This hybrid hatchback can seat up to five and has solid powertrain options.

One thing owners of Prius or other hybrid cars often want to know is how they can maintain and lengthen the life of their battery. Batteries are very expensive to replace, so any steps you can take to make yours last longer are likely to help you save money. Take a look at the tips put together by our hybrid experts here at Longo Toyota in El Monte, California.

Toyota Prius Battery and Powertrain

Depending on the model year of the Prius you own, you could have various powertrain configurations. The all-new 2023 model features a front-wheel-drive version with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a single motor that puts out 194 horsepower. The all-wheel-drive option adds a second motor and cranks out 196 horsepower. Prior to the redesign, Prius models from the 2022 year and earlier put out 121 horsepower from their powertrains.

The battery and electric motors help make the Prius obtain very strong gas mileage. Vehicles from the 2022 model year and earlier achieve an estimated 58 mpg on city roads and 53 mpg on the highway. The newer 2023 edition gets 57 mpg and 56 mpg, respectively.

To achieve these best fuel economy numbers and keep your powertrain performing well, your battery needs to be in good condition. These are the main tips to help you accomplish this goal.

Clean Your Battery’s Cooling System

One of the most important parts of your battery pack to maintain is its cooling fan. The cooling system works to keep your battery at the right temperature for it to perform. The battery in the Prius should operate at a temperature no higher than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets hotter than this limit, battery deterioration can take place more rapidly. Provided your cooling fan is properly cleaned, it’ll keep the Prius’ 28 battery modules below this limit.

Your cooling fan may need cleaning every two or three years. Over time, it picks up dirt and dust from surrounding components or external sources. You may also find that dirt or pet hair from the cabin can get into the cooling fan. The fan can be thoroughly cleaned at an auto dealership for the best results, including at our service center in El Monte.

Get the Battery Inspected

It’s well worth having the battery in your Prius regularly inspected, such as once a year. Inspections can identify early signs of developing problems, allowing you to replace your battery before it dies or take maintenance measures to prolong its working life. One of our professional hybrid vehicle experts can quickly examine your battery and related hybrid components and provide you with a cost estimate for any additional work that may be required.

If the inspection identifies any problems with your battery, you may be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. The battery has a 10-year, 155,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. Prius batteries can last longer than this, sometimes as long as 200,000 miles.

Replace the Air Filter

Your cabin’s air filter isn’t just important for ensuring that clean and cool air circulates throughout your cabin. It also regulates airflow to the battery. So, if you notice that your air filter is failing to make your cabin as fresh as it used to be when you first bought your car, chances are that your hybrid battery is working at a higher temperature due to poor airflow. You can resolve this problem by replacing your cabin filter every year or 15,000 miles of driving.

The filter gets contaminated in much the same way as your battery’s cooling fan. It picks up dirt and debris from parts as they wear down, as well as from external sources. When the filter clogs up, airflow throughout the cabin is significantly hampered. Once you install a new filter, you should find that the temperature of your battery and in the cabin will drop to a more comfortable level.

Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance at Longo Toyota in El Monte

If you’re looking for vehicle maintenance specialists who know how to handle batteries and other hybrid components, Longo Toyota should be your first stop in El Monte. Our Toyota-certified auto technicians can perform battery inspections, clean your cooling fan, and perform other important tasks. Thanks to our well-stocked parts department, we can source replacement air filters and even batteries when the time comes.

While you’re visiting our service center, there are several additional important maintenance tasks you should attend to so that your Prius remains in top condition. For example, your engine oil should be changed every six months or so to make sure that wear and tear is kept to a minimum. Old engine oil can cause unnecessary deterioration to your engine’s components, which can require extensive repair work. You should also get your tires rotated to help avoid uneven treadwear.

Before you visit our El Monte service center, don’t forget to check out our service specials. These incentives aim to make it affordable to keep your Prius up to date on its maintenance. We change our specials from time to time, so don’t forget to check back before each visit to see what you could save money on this time.

We hope you now see how easy it can be to get the most out of your Prius’ battery. By sticking to a routine maintenance schedule, including regularly cleaning the cooling fan and changing your air filter, you can increase your chances of your battery having a long working life.

If you have any further questions or require assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our service team members are standing by to take your call or chat with you in person at our Toyota dealership. We’re looking forward to welcoming you, whether you’re a new or regular customer.

Tags: Car Maintenance, Toyota Prius
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