hey all! it feels like ive been living on these forums since my 05 prius started having problems im debating my choices on fixing my 05 or getting a new car, and was wondering- how hard is it to install a battery yourself? for context, im a 21 year old girl with absolutely zero car experience, but id like to think im pretty smart! my dad has previously replaced my old cars battery for me (2010 nissan maxima, RIP) but from what im gathering a hyrbid battery seems to be more complicated? is this something a youtube video could walk me through? or is going with greentec or greenbean a better option? with the last question, about how much did greentec or greenbean run you if you've used them before? is an 05 prius worth investing in to fix or should i let it go considering its almost as old as me? TIA!
those are all difficult questions with no right answer. first of all, the hybrid battery is much more complicated than the 12 volt batteries your dad was replacing. i would suggest watching a few youtube videos, there are lots of them. if you decide to proceed, it would be very helpful to have someone with a bit of mechanical knowledge/experience, and strength as the battery is over one hundred pounds.
greentec or greenbean are okay options, but often not as good as an oem new battery. as for investing in an old car, you will keep running up against this problem everytime something expensive breaks. but only you can decide whether it's worth buying something newer and what you can afford. when our daughter was your age, i recommended a non hybrid that any corner shop could repair.
If you find another friend to help or 2.....watch several videos together and take notes. It is not brain surgery. If you can study and follow directions you can do it. I'd offer to help but I'm quite far away in Kansas City. a power drill and socket set with 8mm,10mm, 12mm, 14mm sockets are needed. Much of the job is taking plastic covers off and getting to the battery itself. Inside a garage in the shade is ideal. space to spread out parts and have one friend label baggies and put the bolts in them. This makes putting everything back. Have that same friend take video and pictures. The other friend can run a socket. Do you have any car friends? It could be done by my niece and her friends easily.
greentec and greenbean will install it for you where your car is parked which is ideal for you, however the refurbished batteries will not last long compared to the original (from the dealer) Check their website, they usually cost from $1000 - $1200+, can also buy extended warranty for peace of mind. the battery is very heavy, I was able to carry it myself but I'm a 200lb person.. this is a 2 person job and DIY the installation is not that difficult as long as you are aware of the dangers of handling electricity. The battery itself is idiot-proof and I don't see anything dangerous about it unless it's damaged. Stay away from youtube videos telling you how dangerous it is.. you can even do this without any electrical gloves (again don't be dumb)
Being aware of the dangers of handling electricity is the whole reason I do use PPE when appropriate.
No tool experience, any experience with electrical equipment? If you were an EE major, or an electrician, even with no car repair experience you'd probably be OK. After studying up on using socket sets, torque wrenches, and the like (their use is not rocket science). You would still need some help - the battery pack is heavy and bulky. However, with no experience with either mechanical or electrical systems this is probably not the task you should choose as your introduction to Prius maintenance. You may indeed be quite intelligent but without some relevant experience there is a pretty significant chance that you will either break something, hurt yourself, or worst case with a high voltage pack, kill yourself. It is around 200V and can deliver a lot of current at that voltage. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor. If you don't know anybody with the right skills to "help" (ie, do most of it) you can probably find an independent locally who will install the battery for not too much money. People who have done this job a few times can do it remarkably quickly, and mechanics charge by the hour. So do dealer's, but they somehow manage to make it more hours for more cost per hour.
I would not agree it's idiot proof or even guaranteed safe for an EE, electrician or average auto mechanic. Especially if you are considering diy to save money. Doing so to save dollars could send you down the road of testing and switching individual modules and end with short circuits on bus bar placements, failed attempts when something unexpected is encountered or worse - assuming you even recognize the issue before a complete reinstallation. The used ("reconditioned/rebuilt") independents get you running for $1500 up but the reliability you have come to expect over the years often goes away when you have to schedule a "guaranteed" repair in a couple months or a year. However this option is popular and safe if experienced hybrid battery techs do the work. Even the best new hybrid battery from Toyota providing ten or more years of reliability still requires removal of the old battery assembly, disassembly of computer modules, cabling, power relays and fans, followed by their reuse and reassembly into the new battery's metal enclosure. If saving money is paramount I would find a Chicagoland independent hybrid shop with good references, one that may make you wait for an appointment because they are busy, and then choose from options they may provide.
Everyone here commenting has significant experience with cars and tools so take all recommendations to proceed with a grain of salt. Since you admitted having zero car experience, I'm sure you don't have much experience with other mechanical repairs etc. My recommendation is don't even attempt it unless you have a mechanically inclined friend help and guide you. This is nothing like changing a 12V battery. Also, where were you going to purchase the battery and how much?
