How Long Does a Toyota Battery Last: Hybrid vs. Gas

Toyotas are famously some of the most reliable and long-lasting vehicles on the market, thanks to their superior design and manufacturing. They are also known for their fuel economy, especially when you opt for a hybrid model. These hybrid Toyotas are capable of switching over to an electric battery in order to conserve fuel costs, which can save you a tremendous amount of money on gas over the years.

Of course, all car batteries will eventually need to be replaced, even ones that are as famously well-constructed as your Toyota battery. Since hybrid batteries have many key differences from gas ones, their needs with regard to maintenance will not be the same. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the different types of batteries to give you an idea of how long you can expect your battery to last. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to maintain your battery and how to tell when it’s time to head to Beaverton Toyota for a new one.

How the Battery Works in a Gas-Powered Car

In a traditional gas-powered car, gasoline provides the energy needed to run the engine, turn the wheels, and make the car go. However, before this can happen, an electrical charge is needed to start the vehicle up. This is the main purpose of a car battery in a gas-powered vehicle: to provide that electric charge. It also provides power to other systems in the car, such as lights, door locks, onboard navigation, and everything else that requires electricity.

Most vehicles, including Toyotas, utilize a lead-acid battery. This type of battery generates electricity using chemical energy. It is connected to a device called an alternator in order to generate electricity as the car is driving. These batteries contain six cells, which are the plates that store the chemical energy. The energy stored in these cells is referred to as volts or the voltage of the battery. The whole system is kept in a plastic casing that is installed under the hood of your Toyota.

Over time, the chemical reactions that power your car will begin to weaken, eventually causing your battery to be less effective at performing its job. Eventually, the battery will need to be replaced completely. With a standard gas-powered vehicle, this is usually around three to five years, assuming you have maintained it properly.

How Is It Different in a Hybrid?

A hybrid Toyota actually has two batteries: one of these is a very standard lead-acid battery, very similar to what is found in fully gas-powered cars. The other one, however, is very unique to electric-powered vehicles and is an electric battery. This is a larger battery that is independent of—but works in tandem with—the lead-acid battery.

Unlike the lead-acid battery, the electric battery in hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, must generate enough energy to power the car entirely. In order to do this, it utilizes advanced technology. Most hybrid vehicles use Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries, although the newest and most high-end models, such as the Prius Prime, make use of lithium-ion batteries. In either case, the battery is recharged by the process of regenerative braking, an ingenious method of recapturing the kinetic energy from the use of the vehicle’s brakes.

In comparison to the lead-acid battery, replacing the electric battery is a much larger—and costlier—task. Fortunately, it can also be done far less often. Usually, you will only need to replace the battery once every 15 to 20 years, assuming it has been properly maintained. So how do you maintain it?

Battery Maintenance Tips

As with any of the systems in your vehicle, your car battery will need to be properly maintained in order to last as long as possible. Regularly bringing the vehicle to your dealer for an oil change and full diagnostic is the most important part of this process. However, there are also a few things you can do to care for your battery during its day-to-day use.

Car batteries are not intended to be stored long-term, so if you have a car that isn’t used regularly, the battery may begin to degrade. You can avoid this by taking the car out and driving it around every once in a while, even if you don’t need to. If you are unable to do that, you can also invest in a device called a trickle charger, which provides a small amount of electricity to the battery while it isn’t being used. This, in turn, helps the battery last longer.

You can also help to extend the lifetime of your battery by avoiding any activities that put a strain on it. For example, don’t run the lights or other devices for any extended length of time while the car isn’t running. Regular cleaning is also key: the connections between the electrodes on your batteries can rust, especially in wet or humid environments. Occasionally cleaning them—while the car is turned off—may help the battery to last longer.

Signs You Need a New Battery

Of course, while it can last for many years when properly maintained, eventually, you will need to replace your lead-acid Toyota battery. There are several signs that your car may be nearing the end of its useful life. For example, if the car is struggling to turn over, this may be a battery issue. If the car won’t start when the weather is cold, this may be because the battery is in need of replacement and can no longer easily withstand changes in temperature.

When it comes to the large electric battery in your hybrid Toyota vehicle, there are several signs to watch out for as well. The first and most obvious is the infamous “red triangle of death,” which shows up on your dashboard and indicates a battery problem. Of course, there may be issues with the vehicle’s performance that go along with this: if your car seems to be losing its famous fuel economy or failing to charge, it could be a sign that your electric battery needs to be replaced.

Whether it’s time for maintenance or for the full replacement of your hybrid or gas battery, head to your certified Toyota dealer at Beaverton Toyota. Our Toyota-certified technicians will help keep your vehicle running strong for years to come.

Tags: Hybrid Battery, Hybrid Vehicle, Toyota Gas-Powered Vehicle, Toyota Hybrid
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