How to Replace the Battery in a Prius Auxiliary
The Toyota Prius was one of the first mass-marketed hybrid cars made available in the United States. In addition to their fuel mileage and low emissions, Prii (as Toyota declared the proper term for the plural of Prius) are known for a long battery life, with many vehicles still running on their original batteries even after ten years. However, when batteries do need to be replaced, a new one can cost between 2,200 and 2,600 dollars. Given the price of the battery, choosing to replace the battery yourself can contribute to saving some cost on labor.
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Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench with a 10 mm socket
- Wrench extension (6 inches)
- Small magnet tool
- Adjustable wrench
- Replacement 12-volt Prius battery
Instructions
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1
Open the rear of the Prius and remove the trunk floor mat. Pull up on the ribbon tab near the very rear of the trunk hook to remove the floor of the trunk. Remove the tray located beneath the floor. Remove the panel on the rear passenger side of the trunk. Place all of these aside in safe places. The battery is located in the rear corner of the passenger side of the Prius.
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2
Unplug the negative, black terminal cable located at the rear of the battery, tucked almost into the back wall, using the adjustable wrench. Make sure to pull the cable away from the battery, possibly tucking it into the carpeting along the rear wall.
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3
Unplug the controller wire at the front of the battery. This is a collection of numerous, multicolored wires running between the positive battery cable harness and component next to the battery.
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4
Remove the bolt holding in the air duct in front of the battery. This bolt connects the duct to the floor. Use the socket or adjustable wrench to remove this. Remove the second duct bolt from the other side of the duct located in a little square notch cut out from the carpet on the side wall. Place these bolts somewhere safe so they won't be lost.
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5
Remove the bolt holding down the battery bracket. One of these is located on the floor between the battery and the controller component. Use the socket wrench with the extension to reach between the battery and controller and then the magnet tool to retrieve the bolt once it has been loosened. Remove the nut located on the other side of the battery bracket using the adjustable wrench.
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6
Loosen the front of the red covering on the top of the battery. This covering is attached to the battery bracket and the positive battery terminal, as well as the harness to the controller wire, and requires a bit of work to shake loose. Once the red covering, battery bracket and positive terminal cable are detached, bend them back and out of the way.
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7
Pull out the plastic air duct that runs in front of and over the battery. Place it aside.
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8
Detach the plastic ventilation tube from the front of the battery and place it aside. Remove the battery.
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9
Position the new battery into the battery compartment with the negative terminal toward the back. Repeat all the previous steps in reverse to reconnect the battery and place everything back where it had been, including the ventilation tube, the air duct, the bracket and positive terminal, the bolts for the bracket and air duct, the negative battery cable, the trunk panel and all the flooring.
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