Toyota Prius C Car Battery Replacement Costs

Car	Service	Estimate	Shop/Dealer Price
2012 Toyota Prius CL4-1.5L Hybrid	Service typeCar Battery Replacement	Estimate$475.00	Shop/Dealer Price$558.60 - $801.30

Car

Service

Estimate

Shop/Dealer Price

2012 Toyota Prius CL4-1.5L Hybrid

Service typeCar Battery Replacement

Estimate$475.00

Shop/Dealer Price$558.60 - $801.30

What are car batteries and how do they work?

A car battery is an energy storage device that relies on a chemical reaction within the battery to produce electricity. The stored electrical energy is used to initially operate the starter motor, ignition system, and fuel system on your vehicle. Once your car engine is running, the alternator supplies the electricity needed for all vehicle systems and charges the battery to replace the electric energy used when starting a car.

Most electric vehicles have a traction battery which is in addition to the standard 12 volt battery that is used to start the car engine. Traction batteries also convert chemical energy to supply electrical energy but operate at higher voltages and often are monitored by the PCM (Powertrain Control Module).

When to replace a car battery?

Your car doesn’t start. A new battery has a specified capacity to provide power. This capacity is referred to as the cranking amps rating of the battery. As a battery ages, the actual amps that a battery can supply becomes lower than its original rating Once the cranking amps fall below a critical threshold, it will be difficult or impossible to start your car.
Battery or charging system warning light is illuminated. Should a battery or charging system warning light illuminate, a mechanic should perform a few basic tests to determine if a battery replacement is needed.
Electrical components don’t work. Once a battery has started to fail, and the voltage produced by the battery drops, then vehicle electrical components can malfunction, such as the security system. If you are experiencing electrical malfunctions, it’s a smart idea to have the battery tested.

How do mechanics replace the battery?

A temporary power source might be installed to avoid the possibility of losing radio presets or stored data in the PCM while the battery is out. When the battery is already completely dead, this step is unnecessary.
The vehicle’s negative cable is removed from the battery, followed by the positive cable. The battery tie down system is loosened and the old battery removed.
Cable ends and wiring are carefully inspected to ensure cleanliness and no corrosion. In some cases, corrosion can be extreme and the cable may need to be replaced or wiring repaired.
The new battery is installed and the tie down system is reinstalled. Anti-corrosion compound is applied to the battery terminals. The positive terminal is reconnected followed by the negative terminal.
Some vehicles, for example some models of BMW, VW, and Audi, may require PCM programming to input battery parameters. This step, performed using a specialized scan tool, is necessary to maximize battery life and prevent electrical system malfunctions.
The car is started and charging system output is measured and compared against the factory OEM specification to ensure that the new battery will properly recharge. Generally, charging output will be in the range of 13.8 to 14.8 volts but the exact specifications vary by make and model.

Is it safe to drive with a battery problem?

Yes, but if you have a weak battery you might be left stranded somewhere if the battery dies completely and you cannot start your car. A faulty battery may also needlessly overload the alternator and could adversely affect the operation of the vehicle’s electrical system, including the vehicle security system and the shift interlock.

When replacing the battery keep in mind:

The quality of the electrical connections to the battery posts is important. Connections must be clean, free of corrosion and properly tightened.
Batteries store a large amount of energy and if short-circuited a battery could explode and can create intense discharges that can damage your eyesight. Insulated tools should be used to attach cabling to battery terminals. Otherwise, the battery’s positive cable can be shorted to ground or the positive and negative posts can be directly shorted. Batteries can only be safely installed from a positive terminal to positive wiring and from a negative terminal to body ground. If the polarity is reversed damage will likely occur to the vehicle’s electrical system.
Generally, a car battery will have a service life of 4 to 7 years. If a load test on a battery reveals a significant reduction in the capacity of the battery to provide power, you should buy a new battery rather than wait for the old battery to fail completely.
Batteries should only be disconnected if the engine is off and the alternator is not running. Disconnecting a car battery while the alternator is running can cause a voltage spike that will damage sensitive electronic components in the vehicle, such as the PCM.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee

Meet some of our expert Toyota mechanics

Real customer reviews from Toyota owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(16)

Rating Summary

SEE REVIEWS NEAR ME

Charles

26 years of experience

21 reviews

Request Charles

by Jared Muscarella

Prius C 2014 - Battery - Van Nuys, CA

No words can express how amazing this guy was. He came right on time, and got the job done, with no problem, and I did not are it easy for him. My battery died and we couldn’t open the trunk, but he climbed in through the back and had it done. Charles deserves a raise for how professional he was. Thank you again you saved me bug time!

Ralph

34 years of experience

181 reviews

Request Ralph

by Julia Mizutani

Prius C 2012 - Tire Rotation - Tacoma, WA

Ralph was amazing! He arrived early to the appointment and was quick and efficient at rotating my tires and changing my oil right in front of my door! He also let me know that I have a nail in one of my tires so that I can get that fixed and not end up with a flat tire. Overall, he was very friendly, very helpful, and great at his job. Highly recommend!

Michael

23 years of experience

82 reviews

Request Michael

Prius C 2012 - Adjust Parking Brake Cable - Tacoma, WA

Have booked Mike twice and both times went very smoothly!

Scott

30 years of experience

950 reviews

Request Scott

by Jordyn Shafer

Prius C 2014 - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Scottsdale, AZ

Scott went to a dealership (I couldn't make the appointment) to complete the inspection for me. He kept me updated when he got there and explained everything to me clearly afterwards. Great experience!

Toyota Prius C Car Battery Replacement at your home or office.

Estimate price near me

Car Battery Replacement Service

How much does a Car Battery Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a Toyota Prius C Car Battery Replacement is $300 with $160 for parts and $140 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

What are car batteries and how do they work?

When to replace a car battery?

How do mechanics replace the battery?

Is it safe to drive with a battery problem?

When replacing the battery keep in mind:

Meet some of our expert Toyota mechanics

Excellent Rating

Rating Summary

Charles

Ralph

Michael

Scott

Excellent Rating

Rating Summary

Recent articles & questions

How to turn off front seat passenger side airbag

BMW 2010 x3 fuel filter

the idle is a little rocky, but better since i put iridium plugs in it but it still didn't accelerate as soon as i press the gas

How can we help?