Hybrid vehicles aren’t exactly the new kid on the block anymore. There are hybrids that have been on the road now for close to two decades – believe it or not.
Like any vehicle, they need maintenance, and hybrid battery replacement is one of the most common services needed. The team of San Luis Obispo mechanics at Certified Auto Repair have come up with the five most common signs your hybrid vehicle needs a battery replacement – and some of them might surprise you.
1. Decrease in fuel economy
Hybrids still use gas, and if you’re not getting the gas mileage you should, it likely indicates that the battery is dying. A hybrid vehicle’s battery provides energy to run your car. So, your car reverts back to relying on the gas combustion engine as its source of power when the battery begins to die.
2. Fluctuations in the charge
Does your dashboard display show an erratic charge? Does it indicate your battery is completely charged one day and extremely low moments later? The vehicle’s battery could be overcharging or unable to hold a charge.
3. Not holding a charge
When you charge your car overnight only to return in the morning to a low battery, it’s a definite sign your hybrid vehicle’s battery needs diagnostic attention.
4. The internal combustion system runs more than it should
An internal combustion engine that begins to run more than it should or kicks on at unexpected times is another sign there’s something wrong. It’s time to schedule a battery checkup in the very near future.
5. Strange engine noises
A battery that’s running hot and inefficiently alerts the electric fan that it needs to cool down. Running a battery too hot may damage it as well as its components.
Replace or recondition your hybrid battery?
So, when it comes to replacing a hybrid battery, it’s not as easy as stopping by the auto parts store, dropping $80 to $100 on a new one and installing it yourself. A hybrid’s system consists of an entire package of battery modules. Before you break out in hives and require oxygen, listen to the good news that accompanies a hybrid.
The good news is that hybrid batteries are usually guaranteed by the manufacturer for 80,000 to 100,000 miles. Should your battery die within the warranty period, replacement costs are covered.
A second factor in the hybrid battery department is that you can often recondition rather than replace it. A technician can identify and replace the faulty module for a fraction of the cost of a complete replacement.
If your hybrid is showing signs that its battery might be coming to the end of its life, let the master technicians at Certified Auto Repair determine your best options for hybrid battery replacement in San Luis Obispo. Plus, there’s no need to wait for a replacement; we offer quick turnaround on all our hybrid battery replacement options.
Our San Luis Obispo auto repair team is always a call or click away!