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Hybrid Vehicle Maintenance Repair and Concerns

186 messages,  Last post on Jan 09, 2013 at 7:39 PM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Honda Fit Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, Truck

Messages Page 16 of 20

#142 of 186 Re: Toyota Highlander '08 Hybrid Battery Problems [partygal] by hybridhorror

Feb 07, 2010 (9:58 pm)

Replying to: partygal (Nov 16, 2009 1:28 pm)
Hi I leased an 08 highlander Hybrid in Dec 07 and have the same problems. I do a lot of short trips and will stop to unload. If i leave the trunk open or put hazard lights on or have any other accessory on, i cant restart the car without a jumpstart. I keep finding new ways to flatten the battery on this piece of junk!! I have been to my dealer at least 4 times and each time they tell me the battery is fine. I have 9 months left on my lease and cant wait to get a reliable car.

#143 of 186 Re: MPG? [bob49855] by easternguy2

Jul 12, 2010 (9:12 am)

Replying to: bob49855 (Jan 13, 2010 3:05 pm)
Hi,
 
I am considering buying a 06/07 HH with around 60k miles. 4x2. I had an 02 4cyl 4x2 model and consistently received 25 MPG. I loved it. I am looking to buy another Highlander and was toying with the idea of a hybrid. Never had one before and was a little concerned about maintenance, and if its really worth the extra $$ to buy, vs.just getting another 4 cyl. Some of the options I like are hard to find on 4 cyl, (sunroof, pwr seats, alloys). Can anyone share their experience with their HH as far as hybrid specific repairs past 50k mile range. Any special maintenance? Aside from the batteries which I thought are warrantied until 100,000 miles, is there anything else that could go wrong with the hybrid system that would cost an arm and a leg? If the electrical motor went out, or electronics, etc.

#144 of 186 10k miles for an oil change? by mp4

Aug 20, 2010 (2:10 pm)

I took my 2010 Prius to the dealer for its first oil change because I just hit 5k miles. The book says to change the oil at 5k miles but the dealer is saying 10k because of the 0w 20. Is that right or is the dealer trying to not pay for the oil changes he promised?

#145 of 186 Re: 10k miles for an oil change? [mp4] by whitey9

Aug 20, 2010 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: mp4 (Aug 20, 2010 2:10 pm)
!0K mi for 0w-20 equipped engines. Some "early" '10s were not filled with 0w-20, so they get the 5K mi oil change interval instead. Make certain you have the correct maintenance manual. Didn't the salesman tell you? HA!

#146 of 186 Re: MPG? [easternguy2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 20, 2010 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: easternguy2 (Jul 12, 2010 9:12 am)
Well, once out of warranty, just about any modern car, hybrid or not, is going to cost a good deal of $$$ to fix if a major component fails---so be it Benz or Buick, Civic or Suburban, if you blow out a transmission after warranty, for instance, you're in the hole for thousands of bucks. The only disadvantage of repairing a high mileage hybrid is that you're pretty much stuck with taking it to the dealer, as very few independent shops overhaul hybrid power systems.
 
Hybrid technology has proven itself to be just as reliable as any modern powertrain. If you are concerned, get yourself an extended warranty that specifically cover these electronics, would be my advice.

#147 of 186 Re: 10k miles for an oil change? [mp4] by bioman

Aug 20, 2010 (3:42 pm)

Replying to: mp4 (Aug 20, 2010 2:10 pm)
The reason the dealer told you that the next oil change will be at 10k miles after the current one is because Toyota updated the oil change interval if you are using synthetic oil. Of course the synthetic oil would be 0w-20.

#148 of 186 Winter storage by upstateny5

Sep 08, 2010 (3:18 am)

Not sure this question belongs here but hope I'll get a few responses. We may be leaving our 2010 Prius for a couple of months in NE winter (garaged). I was told when we got it that we could remove the battery for the time we were gone and everything would be ok. I am now getting nervous about doing that and wonder if others have experience with this.

#149 of 186 Re: Winter storage [upstateny5] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 08, 2010 (9:15 am)

Replying to: upstateny5 (Sep 08, 2010 3:18 am)
Well in a few months the battery will be dead anyway, so you might as well leave it in there and just unhook it (the 12V battery I mean, that starts the car). Best thing to do is buy a maintenance-type battery charger, also called a "tender", which has a computer in it that maintains proper charge and then shuts on and off as necessary. If leaving an electrical device on there unattended for a few months makes you nervous, (presuming there is no one you can ask to look in on the car now and then) then at least buy a battery charger to re-charge the dead battery when you get back. Do NOT attempt to jump start a completely long-dead battery!!!
 
If the car will not re-activate itself, or start, even after you have recharged the 12V battery, you'll have to flat-bed it to the dealership.
 

#150 of 186 Re: Winter storage [Mr_Shiftright] by kiawah

Sep 08, 2010 (9:49 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 08, 2010 9:15 am)
Be sure to park it 'battery side out', so you can jump it if need be, or get a tow hook onto it and tow it if necessary.
 
However, a trickle charger or 'tender' as shifty references is the way to go. I leave one on my motorcycle all winter long.

#151 of 186 Re: Winter storage [Mr_Shiftright] by upstateny5

Sep 08, 2010 (10:53 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 08, 2010 9:15 am)
Thanks - the battery would be stored in the house so it would not lose a charge (we have done this with other cars - no problems). Got nervous though when Toyota told me car would have to be reprogrammed if taking the battery out "lost its memory".

Messages Page 16 of 20

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