Toyota Batteries Buyer's Guide
When buying a battery for your Toyota there can be many aspects to consider. That’s why we came up with this helpful buyer’s guide to identify many of the questions surrounding your Toyota’s battery. In this guide we’ll highlight:
- How a car battery works
- How long does a Toyota battery last
- Charging and jump starting a Toyota battery
- Battery terminal cable maintenance
- Battery tips for spring
- Electric vehicle battery questions and comparisons
How Does a Car Battery Work?
Your Toyota’s battery stores electricity that is used to maintain various systems and most importantly, create the spark that starts combustion within your engine. Modern car batteries are typically a 12-volt design. They are about the size of a shoebox, if it were heavy and surrounded in a plastic shell. Your battery is used by systems like:
- Radio and air conditioning
- Headlights
- On-board computers
- Power seats
This comprehensive guide on Toyota batteries digs deeper into the design and function of the battery in your Toyota. It also covers:
- Cost of a battery
- How a battery is charged
- How the battery system works
How Long Does A Toyota Battery Last?
Modern Toyota batteries are a time-tested design, and many modern batteries can last for several years. It’s one element of your vehicle that is not often thought about, until it goes bad. There are many reasons for a battery to go bad. Our team has come up with this great guide that highlights elements like:
- How modern batteries are designed and operate
- Common causes for battery failure
- How to maximize your Toyota’s battery life
Charging and Jump Starting a Toyota Battery
When your battery experiences a failure, you may be able to jump start the battery to get your Toyota moving for the time being. There are a few different ways you can charge and jump your battery to get it working again. If you’re experiencing battery issues in your Toyota, check out this helpful guide our team came up with. It highlights things like:
- How to use a battery charger
- How to jump start your car
- How to jump start a hybrid vehicle
Battery Terminal Cable Maintenance
In any car, the battery terminal cables are just as important as the battery itself. The terminal cables carry the electrical current throughout the vehicle and ensure your electrical system is operating correctly. Just like your battery, the cables should be maintained and addressed regularly to ensure proper electronics. To learn more about battery terminal cable maintenance check out the guide here. This guide covers aspects like:
- Inspecting the battery and terminals
- Cleaning the cables and terminals
- Properly disconnecting your Toyota battery
Battery Tips for Spring
Springtime often brings out the spring clean. Just like your house, you should give your Toyota a proper spring cleaning. One of the best areas to address each spring is the battery. Cold weather often has a big drain on batteries and the spring is a good time to look over your electrical system and ensure you’re ready for the warm months ahead. Learn more about the spring clean for your vehicle with our guide which can be found here. Some of the items covered include:
- Inspecting the battery
- Checking your tires
- Addressing rubber hoses, belts and accessories
- Air filters
- Fluid levels
If your car has a hybrid or electric drivetrain check out these other guides that highlight the differences between gas-powered vehicles and the battery and electrical systems in hybrid cars. It also has useful information for any Toyota owner as we move into the electric car era.
Electric Vehicle Battery Comparisons
Image Credit: TechCruch
If you’re looking for more information about hybrid and electric vehicles, this guide is a great resource. The guide covers numerous vehicles from the past decade and how their electric ranges, battery designs, and battery pricing compare. Some of the information covered includes:
- Replacement battery pack pricing
- Comparisons between Toyota hybrids and hybrids from other manufacturers
- Battery capacity for many popular hybrid systems.
Electric Car Battery Questions
For many the electric car revolution is a bit daunting, on top of that there’s also many brands building new “Fuel Cell Vehicles” or FEVs that run on hydrogen power. There’s many new terms and verbiage for these vehicles that we don’t apply to gas-powered cars. Our team came up with this guide of frequently asked questions surrounding the electric car revolution. In this guide, you’ll learn about things like:
- Criticisms of Battery Electric Cars (BEV)
- Arguments for Hydrogen Powered Vehicles
- The slower uptake of FEV car designs