Hybrid batteries eventually fail

By Doug McAllister

We have had two instances recently where Prius owners have come into my shop because the batteries have failed on their 10-year-old and 12-year-old cars.

As these hybrid vehicles age we are going to see more and more of these battery failures.

Changing the battery packs on gas-electric hybrids requires special tools and protective gear, along with about four hours or so of labor time. To date, we have purchased our batteries directly from Toyota but they are now available from aftermarket sources, which should start to bring the cost down a bit.

There are many warning signs that you have a bad battery and lights on the dash will alert you. The dealer is not your only option for hybrid battery replacement, as there are many qualified shops that can take care of this maintenance for you.

While it's a fairly expensive repair, if you like your car and it works well otherwise, you can expect many more years of service after replacing the hybrid battery!

• Douglas Automotive is at 417 W. Main St., Barrington, (847) 381-0454, and 123 Virginia Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-0440. For information, visit douglasautomotive.com. Send questions to underthehood@dailyherald.com.