[BigRed]

Hello Prius owners/drivers,
What is the effect of age/mileage on the battery performance? I'm not talking about the battery failing completely as AFAIK this rarely happens (and would be the rental co's problem if it did happen), more about whether an older battery starts to hold less charge causing the car to run on the engine for more of the time consuming more petrol. I'm looking at renting from a place that has a range of vehicles at different weekly rents according to how old the car is and am wondering whether paying lower rent for an older car would be a false economy if it has a knackered battery and runs on the engine most of the time.

 

[Drive4fun]

These make sense but I believe might be a case in much older cars then most of the rental fleets, 10 years and older cars. Once I had a 3 years old Prius with 100k on the clock and did perform even better then the 10k one, I had done higher mpg and the car feels quicker in acceleration. Don't be lorry to get older car and save some cash.
Cheers

 

[f1uber]

my 2010 plate prius with 107k on the clock still returning 60mpg to 65mpg around town if that helps to compare. strong work horse and very eco...

 

[BigRed]

Thanks, it does help. Think it has to be a Prius for me then esp with all this hoo ha about diesel NOx emissions. Looks like the batt can be refurbished for around a grand anyway if worst comes to worst.

 

[igor l]

Thanks, it does help. Think it has to be a Prius for me then esp with all this hoo ha about diesel NOx emissions. Looks like the batt can be refurbished for around a grand anyway if worst comes to worst.

I've heard you supposed to change/refurb battery after 150k on the clock.
BUT thats what i've heard...

 

[LAuberX]

Hard acceleration uses battery energy, downhill or light "regen" braking charges it back up, or the main engine if it gets too low.

The trick to driving a hybrid well is NOT running down the battery in the first place... otherwise the engine just has to charge it back up again

Old or new the battery is used for extra "oomph" and not a source of energy during steady cruise... the dash tells all, most are quick to get the hang of it.

 

[UberLuxbod]

It depends how you drive the vehicle and the speed involved doesn't it?

Otherwise why would hyper milers talk about a pulse and glide method. Which I took to be slight acceleration followed by lifting off and coasting.

Would the engine cut off during the coasting?

Been a while since I drove a Prius.

Though they are certainly outside of their comfort zone away from built up areas.

 

[uberR]

Yes you described it correct if there is juice in the battery and you release your feet off the pedal it switches to electric.

 

[D1991]

well most cars dont get their prime mpg figures until the engine has worn abit the prius is bulit proof by far one the most reliable cars i knoe guys with over 250 k miles on the clock still going strong only service costs

 

[BigRed]

Should never have started this thread as think its jinxed me. Rented a Pruis (59 plate and 200k miles), drove for less than a week before 'Check Hybrid System' came up on the dash, got sent to Toyota by the hire co who say it needs guess what, a new hybrid battery! They let me have it back with the warning turned off while they ordered the batt and they now have it back to fit it on a busy Halloween Friday night and I cant work. Thing is, I'm not at all convinced it needed a battery. It seemed to drive fine (warning had no effect on the way the car drove) using a combination of petrol and electric and the battery gauge was going up and down as I'd expect. Guess I'll have to see whether its any better/different after they've done the work.

 

[as1989LDN]

Surely your rental firm have a spare to loan you?...

If not I'd consider changing rental firms!

 

[BigRed]

They do but it takes Uber 24 hours to upload the details of the loan car so its a no go.