How to Check Hybrid Battery Health in Toyota Aqua

Wa Alaikum Assalam,

You’ve taken excellent steps to address the mileage in your Toyota Aqua. However, there are a few additional aspects to consider based on the details you’ve shared:

Hybrid Battery Health Check:
Using an OBDII device and Torque Pro is a good approach, but hybrid battery health can sometimes be challenging to interpret without specialized tools o r experience. Frequent value fluctuations on Torque Pro may be due to normal hybrid system operation, as the battery charges and discharges dynamically while driving.
For a more reliable assessment, consider having the hybrid battery tested at a workshop equipped with hybrid-specific diagnostic tools. They can provide a detailed report on each cells performance and detect imbalances.
Keep an eye on State of Charge SOC and voltage differences between cells during operation. Significant differences may indicate a problem.

Impact of Tyres:
The change to 185/65/15 tyres could affect mileage slightly. This size may have a different rolling resistance and circumference compared to the stock tyres, leading to higher fuel consumption. Additionally, a tyre pressure of 30 PSI may be on the lower side for optimizing efficiency. Increasing it to 32-34 PSI could help improve mileage verify the recommended range in your owners manual o r door jamb sticker.

Fuel and Injector Cleaning:
Hi-Octane RON 97 may not always yield better mileage unless the engine benefits from higher-octane fuel. Switching back to regular RON 91 o r 92 for a few tanks might reveal if there’s a difference. Also, while Liqui Moly Injector Cleaner is effective, it works best when used regularly over time.

Driving Habits and Conditions:
External factors like traffic patterns, terrain, and seasonal temperature changes can also impact fuel economy. Ensure you’re practicing smooth acceleration and braking, and try driving in ECO mode whenever possible.

Hybrid Battery o r Component Issues:
A weak hybrid battery can contribute to reduced mileage, especially if the battery isn’t holding charge efficiently o r the hybrid system relies more on the engine. Components like the inverter o r cooling fan should also be inspected to rule out issues that may be affecting hybrid performance.

ECU Reset:
After replacing components like the air filter, oil filter, and tyres, resetting the car’s ECU may help it recalibrate and adjust to the changes. This can often be done by disconnecting the 12V battery for a few minutes.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, consulting a hybrid specialist for a thorough inspection of the hybrid system, including the battery, inverter, and ECU, would be the next best step.