8 Tips for Maintaining Your Hybrid Car's Battery

Hybrid cars have recently gained popularity due to their fuel efficiency, advanced technology, and eco-friendliness. Their sales increased 63% from the previous year, while electric vehicle sales rose 51%. This dramatic change is mainly driven by the versatility provided by hybrid vehicles.

With that said, understanding how hybrid car batteries work and practicing regular maintenance is the key to ensuring optimal performance and extending their lifespan. In this article, we'll discuss how hybrid car batteries work and the essential maintenance practices that can help keep them running smoothly for years.

How does a hybrid car's battery work?

A hybrid car's battery is designed to generate power for the electric motor, allowing the vehicle to run at lower speeds without requiring the gasoline engine. The batteries are rechargeable, and they store energy from regenerative braking and the gasoline engine.

The battery's performance and longevity depend on various factors. One essential factor is the battery's capacity, which determines the amount of energy it can store. As your battery gets older, its capacity reduces, impacting its overall performance.

Another essential aspect is the battery management system (BMS). This critical component of a hybrid car controls the charging and discharging process to guarantee safe and reliable battery operation and maximize battery life. Since extreme temperatures can degrade battery performance and lifespan, proper maintenance of the battery cooling system is also essential in preventing overheating.

Tips for maintaining your hybrid car’s battery

So, how can you ensure optimal performance and longevity of your hybrid car's battery? Here are a few essential tips for maintaining a hybrid car's battery.

Drive regularly

Regular driving is crucial for keeping your hybrid car's battery charged and balanced. Hybrid cars utilize both electric motors and gasoline engines, with the battery serving as an essential component for storing energy.

When you drive your hybrid vehicle regularly, the regenerative braking system and engine work together to charge the battery, maintaining its charge state and ensuring optimal performance. If left unused, the battery might lose charge and degrade. Aim for regular, even short, drives at least once a week, especially if your car has a plug-in hybrid system that requires regular charging.

Try different driving patterns that incorporate both highway and city driving. This can help promote balanced charging and discharging of your battery, which is essential for its longevity.

Avoid extreme temperatures

High or too-low temperatures can be detrimental to your hybrid car's battery. While protective measures are in place to help keep the battery in the right temperature range, the weather can still get too hot or too cold for it. Extreme heat, for instance, accelerates the chemical reaction inside the battery, possibly leading to reduced efficiency and lifespan.

Park your hybrid vehicle in a shaded area or a garage to protect the battery from extreme temperatures. You should also avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially during hot weather.

Limit the battery use

Like most other parts of a car, the best way to avoid wear and tear in a battery is to use it less often. Fortunately, unlike suspension systems, most hybrid vehicles can occasionally give their batteries a break. You may have the option to drive with the engine alone and not have the car's battery contribute to its powertrain.

The option of driving with the engine alone is often accessible through specific drive modes or your car's menu. The car's battery contribution is essentially "free," but there could be times when you need the engine alone to get from one point to another.

Avoid full or deep discharges

A deep discharge occurs when your car's battery state of charge drops to a significantly low level, usually below 20%. While hybrid car batteries are designed to function efficiently without being fully charged, deep discharging can accelerate wear and lower the battery's lifespan.

When a battery is fully discharged, it experiences stress and strain, leading to higher degradation of the cells. This can lead to reduced performance, lower energy storage capacity, and, ultimately, the need for an early replacement.

To prevent a deep discharge, regularly monitor the battery's state of charge and recharge it before it drops below 20%.  Most hybrid systems manage this automatically, but it is good not to allow your car to sit unused for a long time.

Don't overcharge

Overcharging occurs when a car's battery receives more electric current than it can safely use and store. Modern hybrid cars come with a sophisticated charging system (BMS) designed to prevent overcharging, but some charging practices can still lead to potential problems.

For instance, leaving the battery plugged in while full for a long time, especially in hot or humid conditions, can increase the risk of overcharging or overheating. This can damage the battery cells, potentially leading to diminished energy storage, high internal resistance, or safety dangers such as thermal runaway.

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations about charging procedures and avoid leaving the battery plugged in for an extended period if it's fully charged. Consider investing in a smart charging system or using a timer to regulate charging. This can help prevent overcharging and ensure the prolonged health of your car battery.

Test your battery health regularly

Regular inspections and testing should be part of your hybrid car's battery maintenance routine. These practices can help identify potential issues, such as imbalanced cells or downgrading components before they become major problems. If possible, check the battery at least once or twice a year. Time it with an oil change or any other regular service to help you save time and effort while ensuring you don't miss a check-up.

However, it's important to note that not all garages will have the equipment or expertise needed to inspect and test hybrid cars' batteries. Therefore, this only applies if you get the battery check performed at a well-equipped garage or your local mechanic lot. Most professionals offer free or discounted battery health check-ups as part of their services, so it's best to explore multiple options.

Adhere to manufacturer recommendations

Your car owner's manual is your best resource for learning the particular maintenance needs of your vehicle battery. Auto manufacturers provide comprehensive guidelines on when to carry out routine maintenance practices, including battery inspections, tests, and replacements.

These recommendations are specially designed for the unique features of your car's battery to ensure its optimal performance and longevity. Following your car's manual guidelines can help minimize the risk of premature battery replacement and maximize its lifespan.

Maintain your overall car

Regular car maintenance is key to keeping your ride in good shape and can significantly impact your battery life. Keep up with regular oil changes, tire pressure check-ups, brake inspections, and tire rotations. A well-maintained car inserts less strain on the battery, boosting its performance and durability. Generally, a healthy car translates into a healthy battery.

How long does a hybrid car battery last?

On average, a hybrid car battery can last 160,000 to 240,000 km. However, its lifespan depends on several factors, such as driving habits, weather conditions, and maintenance. Fortunately, most manufacturers offer warranties for premature failure or significant capacity loss.

The right auto insurance will cover the theft of your hybrid car's battery and any related damage. However, the insurance will not cover a battery worn out from use since it's a consumable item like tires.

Replacement of a hybrid car battery costs between $2,000 and $8,000. Keep in mind that even if it has the option of gasoline, a hybrid car can't run without a battery.

Conclusion

Maintaining the health of your hybrid car's battery is essential for its optimal performance and longevity. Luckily, with these tips and tricks, you can maximize your vehicle's battery lifespan and enjoy its benefits for years.