I arrived at the shop the other morning just in time to answer a call from Sally, a long-time AutoAid customer. “Is my hybrid battery kaput?,” she asked.
“I don’t know. Tell me what is happening, Sally.”
My hybrid battery isn’t working. I’m spending much more in gas. I know the car is 12 years old, and that hybrid batteries last about a decade. It’s just that it’s been so reliable I’ve become accustomed to nothing going wrong.”
“Why don’t you bring your car in so our team can take a look at it. We can do some diagnostics on it and replace it if necessary.”
Time for a Change
Sally was right on target. The battery was no longer functioning correctly. I suspect that this had been happening for a while, but because it was losing power slowly, she didn’t realize it until the car was no longer able to access battery power at all.
How Long Do Hybrid Batteries Last?
US manufacturers are legally obligated to make high-voltage hybrid battery packs to last 100,000 or eight years. However, many Japanese vehicles now come with ten-year/150,000-mile warranties.
How Do I Know if My Battery is Dying?
There are several indicators to watch out for, especially if your hybrid battery is nearing its end of life.
- The battery is not holding a charge
- You are not getting the fuel economy you once did
- The battery charge fluctuates
- The internal combustion system runs more than it should
- The engine is producing odd noises
What Should I Do if this Happen?
Call your mechanic just as Sally did to better understand what needs to be done to your car. Once the diagnostic is complete, your highly-trained technician will guide you through several options, including purchasing a:
- Tested and reconditioned battery, $1,200 to $1,800
- New battery, $3,000 to $7,800
- Replacement cost with a used hybrid battery, $1,499 to $3,999, or
- Rebuilt hybrid battery, which can range from $1,499 to $4,999
In Sally’s case, we needed to replace the battery, and she chose to use a new one. I agreed. She wants something that is low maintenance, and a new battery with a life of 8-10 years will accomplish that. To help our customers pay for certain repairs, we offer financing through our Auto Pass program.
We work with our customers to see what solves their problems and fits within their budget. Service cover a range of automotive maintenance and repairs including oil changes, brakes, windshield replacement, air conditioning and tune up services, to name a few. Our goal is to keep you safe on the road. It’s the only way we know how to do business. We know our customers appreciate the TLC we put into their vehicles and customer service thanks to their reviews on Google,Yelp and our website. AutoAid has consistently been recognized as a AAA-Approved Auto Repair and Customer Service Award Winner for more than three decades.