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In an ICE vehicle there is usually some warning (reduced starter speed) when battery is reaching end of life, charging problem or higher than normal parasitic load while off. A hybrid has no warning, it either enables run mode or it doesn't. This may take days, weeks or months to manifest itself depending on what is causing the degradation. When this happens it is obviously important to fix the problem with a TSB, disconnect parasitic drain such as camera, etc. but it also important to test battery to determine it's health. If this discharge problem occurred over a day or two and battery did not discharge dangerously low then it may recover with a good charge. Anything longer or lower and the battery is toast! While changing battery types or capacity to obtain better discharge recovery capability or increased capacity, doing so will only delay the problem, not fix it.
 

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The gas XLE and other gas models DO have the auto stop/start. They have what is known as an EFB (enhanced flooded battery). This is merely a flooded lead/acid battery with a completely sealed top so you do not need to add distilled water and indeed you can't open them to do so. They are not that different from earlier batteries and are pretty cheap. The AGM is completely different and superior to an EFB of the same size -- they have many more CCA (cold cranking amps) and are shock and vibration resistant. That's why they are used for racing and off road. Probably the hybrids have EFBs like the gas models. I do not know. Can someone confirm?
EFB's have thicker plates and a heavier construction in general to allow deeper discharge levels and multiple start cycles in quick succession.

The batteries in both the Toyota hybrids we have at home are sealed lead acids but they are not AFB's.
 

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In an ICE vehicle there is usually some warning (reduced starter speed) when battery is reaching end of life, charging problem or higher than normal parasitic load while off. A hybrid has no warning, it either enables run mode or it doesn't.
...
Note.
2020 - 2021 MY RAV4 HV [01/2020 - ]
CONSTRUCTION
(a) An EN (European Norm: European Standards)-compliant and open type battery is used for the auxiliary battery, and it is installed under the luggage compartment.
(b) A battery room ventilation hose is provided to effectively direct gas generated by battery electrolysis out of the vehicle.

Battery State Sensor Assembly
Detects the charge/discharge current, voltage, temperature, SOC (State Of Charge) and self-diagnosis result of the auxiliary battery and sends signals to the hybrid vehicle control ECU.
SYSTEM CONTROL
(a) Basic Control
(1) Controls the output voltage of the hybrid vehicle converter assembly (DC-DC converter) in accordance with changes in the target SOC to change the SOC of the auxiliary battery to reduce the power consumption.
(b) Constant Voltage Control
(1) In the following situations, basic control is temporarily suspended and constant voltage control is performed.

  1. A certain period of time has elapsed since the power switch is turned on (READY)
    1. In order to compensate for electricity consumed due to parasitic current when the power switch is off, constant voltage control is performed for a certain period of time after the power switch is turned on (READY).
  2. Stable operation of certain electrical components is required
    1. The state of certain electrical components is monitored, basic control is temporarily canceled and constant voltage control is performed when the system determines that operation of the electrical components may become unstable.
  3. Stable use the auxiliary battery
    1. Constant voltage control is performed and the auxiliary battery is fully charged every 20 driving hours to minimize deterioration of the electrode plates due to sulfation.
    2. Constant voltage control is performed when the SOC of the auxiliary battery is low or the temperature of the auxiliary battery is high/low to minimize deterioration of the auxiliary battery.
    If need then is available this method of start
 

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2021 Rav 4 XLE gas engine
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I took a picture of the battery in my 2020 RAV4h Limited:
View attachment 173192

I don't see any obvious markings to indicate if it is an AGM or not. The part number is obscured by the metal strap. I looks like it is 540 CCA.
That is a completely different brand and type of battery than is used in the 2021 gas models. MY gas XLE has a "Clarios" brand battery with large sealed cell caps on top . That 84 month warranty would indicate it is a top of the line battery. I don't know--is it actually an AGM?
 

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It appears Toyota is going cheap now on their batteries like other mfg. The OEM battery on my 2010 FJ Cruiser is a panasonic and at 12 years of age still has full voltage and going strong. You can't even buy that battery now in the US.
 

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Discussion Starter · #29 ·
Update: I finally got around to taking my car in. They verified that the TS-B-0095-20 had been applied, and that the battery tested our ok. At least this is what they told me.

So, no definite solution for me from this problem. Maybe, since I replaced the battery (with my own money) after the last time it died, I will not see this again.
 

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Update: I finally got around to taking my car in. They verified that the TS-B-0095-20 had been applied, and that the battery tested our ok. At least this is what they told me.

So, no definite solution for me from this problem. Maybe, since I replaced the battery (with my own money) after the last time it died, I will not see this again.
I feel like I am on a parallel path that you had after the TSB was installed. In my case the dealer installed the TSB but said my battery was o.k., but now my oem battery will not hold a charge (I’m testing it myself daily and have charged it a couple of times in the past week). However, my car does start every day even on this somewhat marginally-charged oem battery. My questions to you are:
(1) did you push for the dealer to install a new battery, or did you just get tired of arguing with them and bought a new battery yourself?
(2) what battery did you get as a replacement? (and was it an AGM?)
(3) have things stabilized now that the TSB and new battery were installed?
 

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Discussion Starter · #33 ·
1) I got tired of messing with them
2) It was the "SLI47AGM Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM 600CCA BCI Group 47 Heavy Duty Battery" at BatteriesPlus. I chose it because of its 4 year warranty.
3) It (knock on wood) has not happened since I changed the battery. However, since putting in my battery, I have never let the car sit for more than 2 days without me or someone else starting it up for 5-10 minutes. So, I just assume that changing the battery (and having the TSB applied) did the trick. I can (have to) live with putting in another battery every maybe 4 years.

I am about to go on a cross USA trip. I am taking a battery jumper with me, just in case, which I just have to do for this car. Sad.

Now, I have to worry about the high voltage connector :)

I am definitely going to buy the extended warranty for this car, just before it turns 36 months old.
 

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Now, I have to worry about the high voltage connector :)

I am definitely going to buy the extended warranty for this car, just before it turns 36 months old.
I know there have been several discussions about the connector corrosion and I haven't followed them closely, but make sure the extended warranty you intend to buy covers it.
 

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2019 Rav4 Hybrid Limited
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3) It (knock on wood) has not happened since I changed the battery. However, since putting in my battery, I have never let the car sit for more than 2 days without me or someone else starting it up for 5-10 minutes. So, I just assume that changing the battery (and having the TSB applied) did the trick. I can (have to) live with putting in another battery every maybe 4 years.

I am about to go on a cross USA trip. I am taking a battery jumper with me, just in case, which I just have to do for this car. Sad.
I know you are spooked about this but couldn't it give you more peace of mind if, after your road trip, you gradually extend the time between starting up? Who knows, you might be able to go a lot longer than 2 days and you are cover under warranty if it fails.
 

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Just an FYI - Walmart sells AGM batteries and they are MUCH cheaper than Autozone and similar places. I recently replaced the factory Panasonic AGM in a 2013 Lexus Hybrid with one from Walmart for only $150, which includes a four year replacement warranty. In case you're wondering, they do have the vent that you plug the tube into (necessary for vehicles with batteries inside the trunk or back seat). I have had VERY good luck over the years with Walmart Everstart batteries.

The factory Lexus/Toyota battery would have cost me $375.

Product Font Electronic instrument Gadget Gas
 

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Just an FYI - Walmart sells AGM batteries and they are MUCH cheaper than Autozone and similar places. I recently replaced the factory Panasonic AGM in a 2013 Lexus Hybrid with one from Walmart for only $150, which includes a four year replacement warranty. In case you're wondering, they do have the vent that you plug the tube into (necessary for vehicles with batteries inside the trunk or back seat). I have had VERY good luck over the years with Walmart Everstart batteries.

The factory Lexus/Toyota battery would have cost me $375.

View attachment 181980
I was looking into this battery yesterday, as it does get good reviews and out-performs batteries costing significantly more. For my Rav4 Limited Walmart sells this battery for $169, which is much cheaper than the Diehard Platinum from Advanced Auto Parts for $220 (both are AGM). Unfortunately, Walmart is currently out of stock on the Everstart (supply chain issue?). I’m not in a hurry at this juncture so I’ll keep checking as to when their stock gets replenished.
 

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1) I got tired of messing with them
2) It was the "SLI47AGM Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM 600CCA BCI Group 47 Heavy Duty Battery" at BatteriesPlus. I chose it because of its 4 year warranty.
3) It (knock on wood) has not happened since I changed the battery. However, since putting in my battery, I have never let the car sit for more than 2 days without me or someone else starting it up for 5-10 minutes. So, I just assume that changing the battery (and having the TSB applied) did the trick. I can (have to) live with putting in another battery every maybe 4 years.

I am about to go on a cross USA trip. I am taking a battery jumper with me, just in case, which I just have to do for this car. Sad.

Now, I have to worry about the high voltage connector :)

I am definitely going to buy the extended warranty for this car, just before it turns 36 months old.
I’m considering buying this same battery (Duracell Platinum AGM H5) for my Rav4 at Batteries Plus like you did. Did you have them install the battery, and if so, did they use a “memory saver” to keep your electronics settings intact during the battery install?
 

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Discussion Starter · #39 ·
I did have them install it for me, and yes, they used a "memory saver", but I still had to reset the auto high beams (and something else, that I do not recall). I did not lose my radio settings or bluetooth pairing or anything like that.
 

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I did have them install it for me, and yes, they used a "memory saver", but I still had to reset the auto high beams (and something else, that I do not recall). I did not lose my radio settings or bluetooth pairing or anything like that.
Interesting…my local Batteries Plus facility indicated they do not use a memory saver device and therefore will not install batteries in cars that require them (although they couldn’t give me a definitive answer as to whether the 2020 Rav4 falls into this category)…later in the day I was able to get a Toyota Service Advisor at my local Toyota Dealer on the phone to confirm it was highly recommended to use a memory saver unless you wanted to re-initialize several of the car’s settings post new battery installation.

And finally, on pg 657 of the Rav4 Owners manual it states “when the battery is removed or discharged, information in the ECU is cleared”…and “Some systems may require initialization (see pg 699 for a list of items that may need to be initialized)”.
 
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