Warning Signs You Need Hybrid Battery Replacement

Hybrid cars have a special system that helps them use less fuel and work better. It's called a hybrid battery pack, and it gives power to an electric motor. But, over time, like all batteries, it starts to get weaker and can't hold as much power.

A new hybrid battery can be pretty costly to replace, costing between $1,500 and $4,500 for most hybrid cars. But before it completely dies, some signs show it needs fixing soon. Let's learn how a hybrid battery works and what signs to look for when it's going bad.

What Does the Hybrid Battery Do?

The hybrid battery is a bunch of smaller batteries. Together, they give power to the electric part of the car, which helps or even takes over from the gas engine.

This battery charges by a special inverter, which takes extra energy from the gas engine. Also, when you brake in a hybrid, it makes more energy for the battery. Some hybrids can even be plugged in to charge up the battery.

People like hybrids for two big reasons. First, they use less fuel, which saves money. Second, they make less pollution, which is better for the environment.

Signs a Hybrid Battery is Failing

When the battery isn't working as well as it should, the car might not perform as well as it used to. Here are the 5 signs that can tell you the hybrid battery needs fixing.

1.    Hybrid System Warning Light

The hybrid system warning light, also called the 'Check Hybrid System' warning light, is a sign you might see in hybrid cars. Sometimes it looks like a triangle with an exclamation mark, and other times it comes with a message on the dashboard. It's usually yellow or amber and sits on the dashboard.

If this light pops up, there's a problem with the hybrid battery (or the whole hybrid system). It could be because of issues with the battery, the electric motor, the power inverter, or the hybrid control module, but the battery is often the main reason.

2.    Charging Issues

When a hybrid battery has imbalanced cells or it's worn out, it might have trouble charging. Usually, it will charge up slower than usual or not get fully charged while you're driving.

The display in your car might show that the battery is losing power quickly when it's using electricity, or it might never show that it's fully charged up to 100%.

3.    Reduced Range

Even if the hybrid battery is weak or damaged, your car might still switch to hybrid mode or electric mode. But because the battery can't hold as much power, it might not last as long as usual.

4.    Poor Fuel Economy

When the battery isn't working well, the engine has to work harder, which consumes more fuel. For instance, if your hybrid is supposed to get 50 miles per gallon, it might only get 40 MPG or even less.

So, you end up spending more money on fuel to drive your car. And the longer you wait to fix the battery, the more it costs you in the long run.

5.    Strange Noises

With a bad hybrid battery, you might notice strange sounds in your car. You could hear a humming noise that starts and stops, or it might be there all the time while you're driving.

Sometimes you might hear clicking or popping sounds. One noise might be from a fan that cools down the battery, but it's louder than usual because the bad battery makes more heat.

If you are familiar with any of the issues mentioned above, visit a hybrid car repair shop like Mad Lab Automotive in Edmonton.