If you’re the proud owner of a hybrid vehicle, one of your main priorities is likely caring for and maintaining your vehicle. Ensuring the longevity and health of your hybrid vehicle is contingent on catching any issues before they arise with preventative care.
In the event that maintenance is needed or failure does occur due to old age or wear and tear, there are some signs to look out for. Although a hybrid battery is said to last the life of a vehicle when well cared for, sometimes issues arise. Here are battery failure symptoms for the top brands on the market.
Toyota Prius, Honda, and Lexus Hybrid Battery Failure
Although the signs and symptoms of a failing battery are quite similar across the board, these are the top symptoms of a failing battery in your Toyota Prius, Lexus Hybrids, or Honda Hybrids:
- Decreased MPG. Although there are other symptoms which can negatively impact your MPG, it’s likely to be an issue with your battery. If you begin to notice a steady decrease in MPG with no other rhyme or reason, it’s best to contact your reputable and knowledgeable hybrid mechanic for a state of health check.
- Internal Combustion Engine Running More Than Usual. If the ICE (internal combustion engine) begins kicking in more often than usual, this is another big sign of issues with your hybrid battery. It may run much longer than expected or at strange times, both symptoms of a failing battery.
- State of Charge. If you watch the screen and begin to see large fluctuations in your SOC, it’s a definite sign either your charging system or battery is having issues. Additionally, large swings in your charge rate point to the battery.
- Unexplained Drop in Battery Bars. Noticing a drop in your battery bars with little to no usage? If you park the vehicle with full bars and come back to it with one bar left, there is an underlying issue with the hybrid battery that needs to be examined ASAP.
- Unusual Engine Noises. This is due to the engine running more than usual, and can be pointing to an array of problems with your hybrid. However, as mentioned above, the I.C.E. kicking on more than usual is typically a sign of a failing hybrid battery.
If you are experiencing any of these hybrid battery failure symptoms, it’s time to contact The Hybrid Geek. With an experienced and reputable team of professionals, hybrid batteries are our specialty.
To find out your vehicle’s state of health, simply visit us online at www.thehybridgeek.com or call us today at (919)996-0626.
