How Long Do Hybrid Car Batteries Last?

Are you thinking of bringing a hybrid home to Belleair? If so, you might be asking: How long do hybrid car batteries last? The federal government mandates a lengthy warranty that will keep you protected for many years to come.

Lexus of Clearwater wants to explore the finer points of hybrid car battery life. If you’re intrigued by the Lexus hybrid lineup, consider a UX Hybrid SUV.

Expected Hybrid Car Battery Lifespan

The good news is that hybrid vehicle manufacturers in the United States are legally required to provide a warranty on high-voltage hybrid battery packs for at least eight years or up to 100,000 miles. In addition, auto manufacturers in the U.S. are legally obliged to transfer the balance of any hybrid battery warranty to a new owner. Still, occasionally high-voltage battery packs on hybrid cars can fail. Continue reading to learn what you can do to extend the life of your hybrid car battery life on St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor roads and beyond.

Causes of Hybrid Car Battery Life Reduction or Failure

There are many possible reasons why a hybrid car’s battery life might not be as long as expected. Individual cells or modules can fail in the battery, and the most common reasons are:

• Poor electrical connections between cells or battery modules
• Auto manufacturing defects in battery cells
• Extreme high or low battery temperatures 
• Manufacturing differences between cells
• Mechanical damage to the battery during routine maintenance or service
• Improper serving procedures, which is why you should have your hybrid vehicle serviced by the certified Lexus service technicians on the Lexus of Clearwater service team

How to Protect Your Hybrid Vehicle’s Battery Pack

Lexus of Clearwater does not recommend that you work on your hybrid battery pack because it can be hazardous. Still, there is one significant thing you can do to protect your hybrid vehicle battery life that doesn’t include working on it yourself.

Don’t Ignore Warning Lights

Your hybrid vehicle likely has a battery monitoring system with trouble codes and warning indicators that will show on your dashboard if it detects any issues, defects, malfunctions, or failures in the battery pack and its related systems. Here are some issues to look out for:

• Abnormal battery temperatures: Abnormal temperatures are likely caused by problems with the dedicated computer-controlled battery cooling system.
• Imbalances between battery cells or battery modules: The failure of just one battery cell will likely degrade the performance of the entire battery pack, so get this checked out sooner rather than later.
• Abnormally high or low rates of charging: Factors like ambient temperature can affect how quickly or slowly your battery charges. You may also find that your hybrid battery charges more slowly if you stay in your vehicle and place other loads on your battery, such as for running cabin air conditioning/heating, lights, and radio.

If a Hybrid Battery Dies, Can You Still Drive the Car?

Sometimes customers ask us, “If a hybrid battery dies, can you still drive the car?” The answer is that it depends on which battery died. Fortunately, most hybrid cars have two batteries: the hybrid battery and a much smaller battery to operate the electronics in your vehicle. If the smaller battery dies, it’s not a problem. You can still drive it around Clearwater. However, if the main hybrid car battery is dead, do not attempt to drive the vehicle and make a service appointment at Lexus of Clearwater immediately.

Get Hybrid Car Battery Service With Our Clearwater Dealership

Now you know the answer to, “If a hybrid battery car dies, can you still drive the car?” If you still have questions, you don’t have to worry. Our service technicians will make sure your mind is at ease. Contact us and let our sales and service professionals put your fears to rest.