Signs That a Hybrid Car Battery is Starting to Weaken, According to Experts
SOLO, KOMPAS.com - Hybrid cars are known for their fuel efficiency because they rely on a combination of a petrol engine and an electric motor.
However, as the car ages, the performance of the hybrid battery can decline, impacting fuel efficiency and driving comfort.
Vehicle owners need to understand the signs that a hybrid car battery is starting to weaken so that the damage does not worsen and repair costs can be reduced.
“If the battery’s ability to store electrical energy is diminishing, then the range of the electric motor will decrease, so the combustion engine will have to start more often to take over its role,” said Jayan to Kompas.com, recently.
According to Jayan, a weakening hybrid battery makes the EV mode less active, even if driving style does not change.
Other symptoms that can be felt include the battery indicator fluctuating abnormally, reduced vehicle power, to the electric motor no longer being able to optimally assist with power supply.
“In the workshop, there is a special measuring tool to determine the level of health of the HEV battery, in the form of a percentage from 0 to 100 percent, the smaller the number, the worse the condition of the battery,” said Jayan.
“It is true that a hybrid battery that is starting to weaken can cause fuel consumption to increase, but it is not absolute, there is a possibility that other factors are influencing it,” said Hariadi to Kompas.com.
Hariadi explained that a weak hybrid battery reduces the electrical power assistance so that the petrol engine has to work harder.
However, increased fuel consumption cannot be the only indicator of battery damage because it needs to be accompanied by other symptoms such as the idle stop feature not being active, the battery indicator dropping quickly, and acceleration feeling heavier.
“Besides the battery factor, driving style also has a big influence. Driving aggressively by frequently pressing the accelerator pedal will make the petrol engine work more dominantly,” said Hariadi.
He added that traffic congestion, short trips, dirty air filters, weak spark plugs, low tire pressure, to excessive vehicle load can also increase fuel consumption in hybrid cars.
Hariadi also reminded that problems with sensors or the hybrid management system can reduce vehicle efficiency even if the battery is not necessarily damaged.
If a battery health indicator appears on the instrument panel, vehicle owners are advised to immediately have it checked at an official workshop.
“The sign that there is a problem with the battery will be an indicator or notification on the speedometer regarding battery health, if that sign appears, consumers need to go to an official workshop,” said Hariadi.
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