What Is A Hybrid Battery Fan Filter And Why Is It Important?
Hybrid vehicles have become very popular in recent years. They offer better economy than gas-powered cars. And don’t rely solely on electric chargers like EVs do.
To ensure that you get the best efficiency out of your hybrid, it needs to be maintained correctly. The hybrid battery pack in these vehicles is a complex device. It even has its own cooling system that needs to be serviced.
In this blog we look into what the hybrid battery fan filter is and why it’s important to replace it regularly.
Hybrid Batteries Vs. Regular Batteries
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Gas-powered vehicles have a small 12-volt battery to power the starter motor and some auxiliary devices when the engine is off.
Hybrid vehicles use 12-volt batteries as well. But they also have a much larger capacity battery pack. This battery pack provides extra power to the wheels. The size of this hybrid battery and electric motor determines how much electric assistance is provided. Electric Vehicles (EV) use a similar technology to hybrid batteries. But their battery packs are even larger as this is their only power source.
For more information on the difference between the various hybrid vehicle types, check out this post about Important Hybrid Car Buying Tips.
Every modern hybrid vehicle also has a hybrid battery cooling system. Most Toyota hybrids use a cooling fan to keep temperatures at optimum levels.
Why Does A Hybrid Battery Need Cooling?
- Extend battery life
- Allow for faster charging
- Allow the vehicle to operate in varied climates
If you use your mobile phone for an extended period, it can get very hot. That’s because the chemical reactions in the battery pack heat it up. A hybrid vehicle battery reacts the same way. It can get hot when it is charged quickly. Or if you drive fast for an extended period.
To keep temperatures in check, they are fitted with a cooling system. The batteries may be air-cooled, liquid-cooled, or both depending on the manufacturer. In a Toyota Prius, the batteries are air-cooled by a dedicated fan. The Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) has a larger battery pack. So, it also has a cooling system that uses the refrigerant in the AC system.
Some hybrids also have an electric heater. This ensures the battery pack is at the perfect temperature, even in the coldest conditions. (Low temperatures can severely reduce battery efficiency).
How Do You Service A Hybrid Battery?
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Toyota hybrid batteries have proven to be very reliable. Every Toyota hybrid since 2020 has a 10-year/150,000-mile hybrid battery warranty. Older Toyota hybrids have an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
In most cases, a hybrid vehicle will need the same servicing as a regular gas-powered car. Additional service items include the hybrid fan, fan filter and coolant when a liquid cooling system is fitted.
In the case of the Toyota Prius, you will need to replace two hybrid battery fan filters if they get clogged up. This will ensure that the battery fan can do its job properly. There are no manufacturer-defined hybrid filter replacement intervals. But you should regularly check them for signs of clogging or excess dirt.
For a more comprehensive look into hybrid fan filters, read our blog here.
Only USE OEM Hybrid Battery Fan Filters
If a hybrid fan filter gets blocked, the battery will run hotter, reducing its life and performance. Replacing it with an OEM Toyota filter is the best way to ensure your vehicle performs as the manufacturer intended.
Olathe Toyota Parts Center supplies OEM parts backed by a Toyota 12-month, unlimited mileage warranty. Our hybrid filters are guaranteed to fit perfectly and meet Toyota’s performance standards.
We stock a huge range of parts at wholesale prices and offer same-day shipping. Use our free parts look-up to find the right hybrid battery fan filter for your Toyota. Call our team at 1-888-596-1970 or order online today.