Hybrid cars are a viable option when one considers the rising cost of fuel. We need our cars for a lot of things; to commute to work, church, run errands, pick the kids up from school and several other needs. By the time you calculate the fuel expenses on the above, depending on distance travelled and the type of car you have, you will realise that it’s rather too expensive. To reduce the expenses on fuel is why hybrid cars have become more accepted by car owners today.
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A hybrid is a car that is powered by a combination of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery-electric drive motor. Hybrid cars like the Toyota RAV4 hybrid can switch between the petrol engine and electric motor, or combine both power sources depending on the driving scenario. Hybrids automatically charge their own hybrid battery so you don’t need to use an external charging point or worry about the distance you can drive. The result is less gasoline burned and, therefore, better fuel economy.
A hybrid vehicle has two batteries. The first is the conventional 12-volt battery you’d find in any car whose function is to power the electronics. The second battery is a high-voltage battery pack, which helps run the car separate from the gasoline, but is responsible for getting the gasoline portion started.
Like any other car battery, a hybrid battery can run down at any point. This can be due to discharge or gradual wear out from continuous use. So, what do you do when your hybrid car battery dies?
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Signs That Your Hybrid Vehicle Is Dying
- Decrease In Fuel Economy
The major purpose of a hybrid battery is to provide energy to power your car. This reduces your car’s over-reliance on gasoline. So, if you find out you are using more fuel than usual, it could be a telltale sign that your hybrid battery is weakening.
- There Are Fluctuations In State Of Charge
Do you notice sporadic fluctuations in the charging state of your hybrid battery? That is, it indicates fully charged one instance and a few minutes later, it’s totally out of charge. When this begins to happen, it means your hybrid battery is dying.
- The Internal Combustion Engine Runs More Often
As mentioned earlier, depending on your car, the electric motor could run independent of the gasoline engine or they both power the vehicle together. But, when you begin to notice that the internal combustion engine is doing more work than usual; it’s a warning sign that your hybrid battery will give up soon.
- Strange Engine Noises.
When your hybrid battery starts to malfunction, one of the signals is that it runs hot quickly. A hybrid battery that runs hot is quick to get damaged.
What To Do When Your Hybrid Car Battery Dies.
- Confirm The Warranty
The good news is that, unlike the batteries of conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid batteries have a longer warranty period. This warranty could span for 8years, 10 years or 100,000 miles. So, the first thing to check when your hybrid battery dies is to confirm if you are still in the warranty period. If you are, then you stand a chance of having your battery replaced or repaired free of charge.
- Check If You Can Repair The Battery
Perhaps, you have exceeded the warranty period of your hybrid battery, the next line of action for you is to see how to get it repaired. Repairing your hybrid battery costs you less than having to buy a new one. So, it’s best to get the right hands to fix it for you. Bring your car to an experienced automobile workshop specialized in hybrid cars. Here, they are likely to rightly diagnose your hybrid battery and know how to get it up and running. Many times, auto repair shops can put your battery through a conditioning process that brings it back to life.
- Find Out The Cost Of Replacement
It’s possible a repair can’t be done on your hybrid battery, and the only solution is to get another one. You can’t just replace your hybrid battery with any battery, you need to buy the one recommended and compatible with your car. Hybrid batteries are quite expensive, unlike gasoline-powered batteries. Depending on your car type, a hybrid can cost between 800,000 – 2,000,000 NGN. With counsel from your mechanic, do a thorough research and get the price of the battery compatible with your car.
- Consider The State Of Your Hybrid Car
Before you put down between 800,000 – 3,000,000 NGN for another hybrid battery, you might want to consider if it’s worth it. This is why you need to check if the entire car is in good working condition. Ask your mechanic to thoroughly inspect your car to see if anything else is wrong with the car. It’s up to you to consider the cost of a new battery and that of another car entirely. You can settle for whatever works for you.
- How Long Do You Want To Keep Your Hybrid Car
In most cases, nobody uses just one car for a lifetime. Sooner or later, you decide to sell off your present car or swap it for another. Before deciding to buy another hybrid battery, you might want to consider how long you intend to keep the car and know if buying another battery is a good decision.
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