MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Toyota Corolla Hybrid, 2023 model year.
I'm getting the occasional message in the Toyota app, telling me the 12v battery isn't delivering enough voltage, and that perhaps I should go for a drive to charge it up. The only thing is, this happened most recently yesterday after we'd been out for half an hour anyway. And it's happened twice before just recently too. So, probably new battery time. (I don't have a multimeter to check it, so im going with some semblance of credibility in the Toyota message for now)
Halfords have one which appears suitable for £75, an acceptable amount considering what main stealer would probably charge, but the words in the description say "Most vehicles require this battery to be registered with the on-board computer system". What's that all about? A likely story, or bullsh1t?
Yeah, it's a thing now. I've got a OBD reader for our two VAG group cars that I had to do the same recently and used it to update the battery info. Basically the charger circuits in cars these days are smart and need to know what they are charging to do it right - battery chemistry, capacity etc. How much actual difference it makes I couldn't tell you, but it's a thing.
That's a very new battery you might be replacing. The two I've just replaced were in a 64 and a 16 plate. Most batteries come with a 3 or 5 year warranty...though not sure if you get that if they are OEM and batteries are considered consumables on the accrual car's warranty.
It may not be the battery. I would suspect the phone app is causing the issue. The 12V battery on my 2 month old Kia EV 6 went flat, had been left on the drive for 3 hours. Anyway 2 weeks of head scratching and Kia couldn't replicate the issue. They suggested the app on my phone may have caused the drain. Everytime the phone pings the car for a status update it wakes the car up which can drain the car 12V battery. I was sceptical but some Googling suggests they might be right. I now always close the app on my phone when not using it. Not had a repeat of the issue yet.
It may not be the battery. I would suspect the phone app is causing the issue. The 12V battery on my 2 month old Kia EV 6 went flat, had been left on the drive for 3 hours. Anyway 2 weeks of head scratching and Kia couldn't replicate the issue. They suggested the app on my phone may have caused the drain. Everytime the phone pings the car for a status update it wakes the car up which can drain the car 12V battery. I was sceptical but some Googling suggests they might be right. I now always close the app on my phone when not using it. Not had a repeat of the issue yet.
That sounds hard to believe. I mean I can believe that regularly waking the car up and polling its systems will cause battery drain. But drain all the 12V charge in 3 hours? Must be a very demanding app for that. Maybe check if there’s an update that ‘resolves persistent battery drain bug’?
Edit. OP, won’t Halfrauds replace batteries for a modest fee? I assume that would include correct installation with registration to the car’s systems. Last time I replaced a 12V battery was about 2015. Despite following the correct steps I was left with a disco dashboard of warning lights and freak outs. Thankfully my £15 OBD reader managed to clear all of them.
@stumpyjon check that you powered off and locked the car correctly with the key? Our Hyundai has flattened the 12v battery a couple of times when Mrs and Miss OTS haven’t locked the car as they’ve left it. The car continues to try to contact the key in the car which I can’t do because it isn’t there and will eventually flatten the 12v battery trying.
it’s a known issue. I keep a small usb starter pack in the glove box as a backup fix now.
In my case the car was locked. I get a notification if it's not.
On 2023 model still under warranty, I'd be talking to the dealer. They might point out a common "user error" like others have mentioned. Or have updates avaible etc.
Also a few quid on a multimeter is a better investment than a parts darts battery replacement.
Lidl or Aldi often have clamp meters, which clip around cables to measure the current, very useful to check battery drain or charging issues.
At two years old I'd be back to the dealer, no question. And I'd be unlikely to take "consumable, mate" as an answer.
At two years old I'd be back to the dealer, no question. And I'd be unlikely to take "consumable, mate" as an answer.
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On 2023 model still under warranty, I'd be talking to the dealer. They might point out a common "user error" like others have mentioned. Or have updates avaible etc.
Also a few quid on a multimeter is a better investment than a parts darts battery replacement.
Lidl or Aldi often have clamp meters, which clip around cables to measure the current, very useful to check battery drain or charging issues.
Start with the main dealer.
How many miles do you drive? It might be that the battery isn't being charged adequately, unfortunately this eventually causes sulphation and can be fatal as well as a warranty escape clause. Be prepared for a discussion
If your mileage isn't sufficient then a monthly top-up with a smart charger might be the way forward, see what the dealer says
Yeah, I'm coming to the conclusion of starting with the dealership. I'm seeing discussions about similar battery problems in Toyota C-HRs and Yaris, same technology but different models. Some say to install a new aftermarket battery and take it for a drive to let the car work out what's what for itself, while others have bitten the bullet and gone to dealer. I've driven Prius for most of the last 20 years without problems; the difference here is having the app - none of my company cars had that. I don't usually leave that running on the phone, so the idea that it's waking the car frequently to ask how it's feeling is probably not right in this case.
Car was bought 'nearly new(ish)' last April with about 7000 miles on it, is now 12500. So ~600 miles a month, varying between 300 and 1000+ if we go away for holiday. Found a Youtube video last night that suggested leaving it in 'Ready' mode for an hour from time to time, as that apparently pulls some leccy from the traction battery into the 12v job. I can also top up on the drive with a Ctek charger, but it means shuffling my car round with wife's to get up near the garage door, and sometimes I just CBA with that!
Will put it in trickle charge now, and call into the dealer this week, I think. Its probably worth going that way to avoid invalidating the warranty in the end.
I can remember there being an issue with one particular model of car when I worked for SFS/Cazoo, and I have a feeling it might have been the Yaris. Turns out the microswitch in the hatch/boot that activated the interior light wasn’t very sensitive, or effective you like; if you didn’t slam the lid fairly hard, it didn’t register the pressure on the switch and the light would stay on, a problem if the car was likely to be held in storage for some considerable time.
It’s worth checking things like interior lights, especially ones that aren’t generally visible when doors, etc are shut.