Anything special about replacing the 12v battery on this vehicle?

CARCOULDCARELESS

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2016 TOYOTA RAV4 HYBRID
75,000 MILES

I have not replaced my 12v battery (the aux battery, not the traction battery) and wanted to do a pre-emptive replacement. AutoZone and advanced auto usually replace batteries for free, but not on this model! Is there anything difficult about doing this? (It *looks* like it should be easy, but I have been told there is a vent tube (don't know where that is or what that is). I would also like to keep the computer operational (is it okay to use the jump start location (red tab and ground) on this car like you showed in one of your videos on this car?

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 AT 5:34 PM

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,144 POSTS

Yep, there is a vent tube which needs to be reconnected and you will need to reinitialize the rear door closer and the parking assist if you don't use the 12-volt power jump ob like in the video below. Here is the video for reference, you will need to rig your own set up. I have included the instructions on how to change the 12-volt battery out and do the reinitialization in the images below in case the power source comes undone or you don't have one.

https://youtu.be/aCpHCzDjl_w

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, December 1st, 2022 AT 5:04 PM

CARCOULDCARELESS

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Thank you for answering this question

Is there a way you can make those instructions into a downloadable pdf file? (Links are not active and I would like to be able see it all at one time)
a few other questions:
1) When would you recommend I replace the 12v battery? And how can it be tested (does load testing apply for this battery?).
2) are there any warning signs the battery is going bad? (The key icon takes longer to show up, radio is sluggish to respond, will notification show up (replace 12v battery, etc)
3) if the 12v does go bad, once the car is jumped, will it function normally? (It will get me where I need to go?)
4) if I don't use the jumper connection, the only data lost would be door data and parking assist?(What about radio presets, door settings, key fob, etc)
5) this doesn't appear to be so difficult? Any other things to consider? (Why would AutoZone or places that claim to do it for free shy away from this?)
6) is there any particular brand or type of battery? (Why is VIN number needed?)

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Sunday, December 4th, 2022 AT 7:26 AM

KEN L

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Hello,

I can't make a PDF file out of the instructions, but you can click on the images to copy.

1. I would replace the battery every 3 to 4 years and you can load test it like a regular 12-volt car battery, an auto parts store can do this for you.

2. It would be difficult to tell when the battery is getting weak, the best way is to observe electrical components in the car act strangely indicating a low voltage situation. There might be a warning sign from the computer the 12-volt battery is malfunctioning. This will depend on the manufacturer's software.

3. If the 12-volt battery goes dead the car will not operate.
4. It did not mention the radio, seat etc memories having to be reset, so this will be trial and error, but I would assume it will.
5. The reason places like AutoZone don't want to do this service could be because not all of their employees are trained to perform such repairs.
6. I try to stay with name brand battery replacements such as interstate, AC Delco etc. I don't see in the instructions on why you will need the VIN number, did you call the dealer to get a battery and they asked?

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 AT 11:20 AM

CARCOULDCARELESS

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When I go to the Toyota website, it says the battery that fits is no longer available? I called dealership and they seem to be using "true start", never heard of that brand and yes, they actually ask for vin number before selecting battery. It seems that the truestart batteries have less warranty and life span that is not that great compared to the one in my vehicle?
One dealer wanted $350.00 for the battery, the other one about $250.00.
That is a wide range of costs. Shouldn't that be a pretty standard priced item?

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Thursday, December 8th, 2022 AT 6:10 PM

KEN L

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Stange the variance is so much, maybe one of the dealers is slow and trying to get business? Battery companies change quality internally so if the dealer is using True Start I would go with that as well. Please let me know what happens.

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Saturday, December 10th, 2022 AT 1:47 PM

CARCOULDCARELESS

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Well, I finally did it. The instructions you provided were excellent. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. I did not have to use a backup power (jump start location) to keep the data. It must be powered via traction battery? (The stuff on the + cable is much more than a regular battery. Just left it alone and treated it like a regular battery terminal ;)
the only data that got lost was a power back door (just need to close it manually, then open and close driver side door)---back in business ;)
also got rid of a message in maintenance that I had set up. But not a big deal.

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Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 AT 6:52 AM

KEN L

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That is good to hear, would you please consider helping us keep the site going by using our GoFundMe page? https://gofund.me/c7d318ad

Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

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Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 AT 1:55 PM