02-11-2021, 05:41 AM
Get a quote from the dealer. The Prius 12V batteries are expensive but in my case the surprisingly small markup from the dealer was worth it to not have to mess with the install. The dealer always wanted a ridiculous amount of money for things like air filters or wiper blades, but the 12V battery was a good deal.
After the battery is replaced and until things get back to somewhat normal, you will probably want to drive the car a minimum of once a week. You could get that solar battery maintainer but it won't help the main traction battery which might also degrade if the car is never driven.
I had a couple weird problems like that myself when my 12V battery was low. The 12V battery powers the car's computers so if the computers are getting insufficient voltage things can get um, interesting.
After the battery is replaced and until things get back to somewhat normal, you will probably want to drive the car a minimum of once a week. You could get that solar battery maintainer but it won't help the main traction battery which might also degrade if the car is never driven.
kj wrote:
I would just replace it. I was having odd electrical problems, two different stores tested the battery and said it was fine. Difficulties starting, lights turning on by themselves, weird stuff. I went back in, the guy at autozone literally berated me for buying a new battery, but it immediately fixed all the problems. In fact, it's been a few years. No way it wasn't the battery, so the testing doesn't always work. In my opinion, it's basically the cheapest troubleshooting step you can take.
I had a couple weird problems like that myself when my 12V battery was low. The 12V battery powers the car's computers so if the computers are getting insufficient voltage things can get um, interesting.