[skugelstadt]

I don't imagine that the Toyota Prius has any problems in the hot desert. Anyone with firsthand knowledge? Thanks for input.
skug

[yellowsnow]

I don't know the answer to your question but I CAN tell you car batteries don't like our heat. I've replaced batteries more often here than I did in Minnesota.

So I also wonder about this. I've heard it's around 6K to replace those batteries in a Prius.

[unf0rgiven6262]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

I don't know the answer to your question but I CAN tell you car batteries don't like our heat. I've replaced batteries more often here than I did in Minnesota.

So I also wonder about this. I've heard it's around 6K to replace those batteries in a Prius.

Yeah, that's a serious consideration. The heat just saps batteries like there's no tomorrow.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by skugelstadt

I don't imagine that the Toyota Prius has any problems in the hot desert. Anyone with firsthand knowledge? Thanks for input.
skug

My coworker bought one and had no problem with it in the summer. However, if you have one, make sure to get rid of it when the warranty ends. It will be a nightmare to replace those batteries on your own should they go bad.

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

I don't know the answer to your question but I CAN tell you car batteries don't like our heat. I've replaced batteries more often here than I did in Minnesota.

Originally Posted by unf0rgiven6262

Yeah, that's a serious consideration. The heat just saps batteries like there's no tomorrow.

I hear that a lot, but in my experience that has not been true. I have had my Ford Escort for 5 years now, and it has the same battery it came with. Not only that, the battery was by no means new when I got the car. I would estimate it is 6-8years old, and it is still going strong.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

I hear that a lot, but in my experience that has not been true. I have had my Ford Escort for 5 years now, and it has the same battery it came with. Not only that, the battery was by no means new when I got the car. I would estimate it is 6-8years old, and it is still going strong.

You don't have A/C right? Without that there is little reason for a battery to go out as long as you dont start and stop the car a lot.

[Everdeen]

My husband is an auto tech trained in hybrids and asked him.

He said there is no issue that he knows of.

The Prius has 2 different types of batteries. The 12 volt, like everyone's car has, and a lithium battery. The lithium batteries do not get as hot as other lead acid batteries do and the Prius also has a cooling system for it.

I have known a few people who have owned one and they love it.

He also said that the batteries last about 10 years depending on how you drive the car. If you drive it every day, they will last longer. If it sits, it tends to drain down the battery.

FWIW

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by Willy702

You don't have A/C right? Without that there is little reason for a battery to go out as long as you dont start and stop the car a lot.

My car doesn't have ac, but that doesn't matter. Once a car is started it runs solely on the alternator, not the battery. Ac only puts more stress on the alternator.

[ScoopLV]

We have a hybrid and have not noticed any issues with the battery. Like the Prius, it has an independent fan system to move air over the battery when it's a zillion degrees inside the car.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by las vegas drunk

My car doesn't have ac, but that doesn't matter. Once a car is started it runs solely on the alternator, not the battery. Ac only puts more stress on the alternator.

This isnt true on cars running full bore A/C for the first 2-3 minutes to get it up to cool, or at least that is what my mechanic told me. He said the newest cars with more efficient A/C draw less power after startup and the battery should last 3-4 years instead of the 2 or so you get with cars from 2005 and before. Ask around, almost any battery which lasts a long time like yours doesnt have A/C or its left off 100% of the time.