Low traction battery - shift to P

[ProfGlenn]

Hi - i have a 2010 Auris Hybrid and tonight i was on my way out of the carpark when a Sainsburys delivery van was blocking me.  I stopped and waited.  Now I don't think I was in neutral while I was waiting. Maybe I was (thinking about it) as I drove up and then reversed back slightly.....  But I wasn't in P.  I got a message that I never seen before that said "low traction Battery - shift to P" or words to that effect.  I tried searching this forum for similar.  Can anyone tell me if this means my hybrid Battery is in trouble?  The car has done 69,500 miles.  Thanks, Glenn

[TonyHSD]

Hi, 

there is nothing to worry about your Battery. The message clearly says shift to P , you had been in N and while in N neutral the hybrid system can not charge the hybrid Battery. Best to keep your car in D R or P, N only for a short times when needed. 
Regards 

[ProfGlenn]

Hi - thanks Tony.  I can't be sure I was in neutral - I never am in neutral - I don't use it.  I have had the car 5.5 years and this is the first time I have seen this message.  I could have reversed back and then done to D with my foot on the brake.  Don't know!  If it's impossible to get this message when in D then I guess I must have been in N, and since I never use N, it would explain why I have never seen this message before! 

[TonyHSD]

9 hours ago, ProfGlenn said:

Hi - thanks Tony.  I can't be sure I was in neutral - I never am in neutral - I don't use it.  I have had the car 5.5 years and this is the first time I have seen this message.  I could have reversed back and then done to D with my foot on the brake.  Don't know!  If it's impossible to get this message when in D then I guess I must have been in N, and since I never use N, it would explain why I have never seen this message before! 

Hi,

Sometimes when you go from R to D or other way around it is possible to set the car in N while holding the gear lever into N position for a second especially when something makes you unsure to proceed to D or R like you said it was a van blocking your way, it happened  to me few times in the past. The car definitely been in N otherwise will not show this message. You can select D and drive off instead of P if you have to do so and it will be alright, the hybrid system just needs to recharge the Battery. , what is not recommended is to leave it in N until Battery is fully discharged, then the car will shuts off and you will be in trouble  👍

[ProfGlenn]

Thanks very much indeed Tony for your help.  Really appreciate it.

[TonyHSD]

4 hours ago, ProfGlenn said:

Thanks very much indeed Tony for your help.  Really appreciate it.

You are welcome. 👍

[Metalown]

On 7/9/2021 at 9:23 AM, TonyHSD said:

Hi,

Sometimes when you go from R to D or other way around it is possible to set the car in N while holding the gear lever into N position for a second especially when something makes you unsure to proceed to D or R like you said it was a van blocking your way, it happened  to me few times in the past. The car definitely been in N otherwise will not show this message. You can select D and drive off instead of P if you have to do so and it will be alright, the hybrid system just needs to recharge the battery. , what is not recommended is to leave it in N until battery is fully discharged, then the car will shuts off and you will be in trouble  👍

Wouldn't it shut off as a precaution measure, before the Battery gets totally depleted? For example at 30% charge, if you're still idling in Neutral position.

[TonyHSD]

4 hours ago, Metalown said:

Wouldn't it shut off as a precaution measure, before the battery gets totally depleted? For example at 30% charge, if you're still idling in Neutral position.

This I can’t answer for sure as I had never left my car in N for so long. MOT tasters love to leave the car in N on the ramp , seen it previously but never had any issues to date.