12v battery maintenance, issues, etc.

[Max_Headroom]

So as not to add another 12v Battery thread to the many here could i ask those members who carry a jump pack what you  bought and have you used it, a link would be great.

Even though i am sure my weekly mileage (which isn't a huge amount) will be enough to keep the 12v Battery happy i think buying a jump pack and having peace of mind knowing i will never get stuck is well worth the money spent to get it.

[Dala]

the car has been driven at least every other day for about 3 years
each ride 2x 43 km (2x 27 UK miles) 2x one hour drive
I regularly use a CTEK charger in the winter months and a 20W solar panel in the summer
today after visiting the garage - checking the 12V Battery - 12.2V car Battery is fine - must be recharged
I had to laugh

[Yaris Hybrid 2021]

Apparently the problems with the 12v Battery concern newer cars because I have never had any problems with the batteries and even now the second car (2013) is driven even less than the Toyota and has had no problems. And I have owned about 20 cars. And I really don't charge the batteries more than once a year. In my opinion, Toyota's Battery discharges somewhere or the charger is ineffective. Changing the Battery doesn't help the problem.

[flash22]

46 minutes ago, Yaris Hybrid 2021 said:

Apparently the problems with the 12v battery concern newer cars because I have never had any problems with the batteries and even now the second car (2013) is driven even less than the Toyota and has had no problems. And I have owned about 20 cars. And I really don't charge the batteries more than once a year. In my opinion, Toyota's battery discharges somewhere or the charger is ineffective. Changing the battery doesn't help the problem.

Newer cars have a mass amount of electronics in them, in recent years batteries have been an issue due to cars sitting over 4 months in some case before being sold, many dealers had been fast charging batteries then running tests rather than replacing the batteries what have also been in short supply - this compounds the issue of these batteries being calcium EFB that require the correct charge voltage and current, failure to do so reduces the life span

as i said before, it's not the car, it's the dealers that are the issue - if you want something done right, do it yourself or inspect the work that has been done eg. checking the date code on the Battery

[TonyHSD]

That’s the problem actually. Some people  like elderly, disabled, people without a driveways, facilities or knowledge. How they can take care of their cars as diy when they absolutely have no chance? They choose a Toyota for well known reliability and trust the dealers. They had done best they can and got themselves into a trouble. I fully understand these people and their frustration. Even if it’s not the car’s fault  they have no choice but to get rid of it and buy something else , something that will not require those extra care and can be used as much as they need. Some people drive every day a lot some only once in a while and for a short time only. The car should be able to deliver. 
I agree the electronics are the big killer here but even so a new car should be able to remain in stand by for at least 2-3 weeks and be able to start without any issues afterwards. If not then it is a problem. Infrequent use will shorten  the lifespan of a Battery, but going on with solar panels, cables, chargers, not ideal. I only charged my Battery once because it’s very old and I didn’t touch the car for 20 days, since then once a week in ready mode and I have no patience to smart charge it anymore even though I have a driveway, it’s  a hassle. And indeed, the less you drive the less electronics you need, cars like Dacia sandero, vw polo, up, Aygo, Kia picanto, i20 , all those small petrol engine cars are the best bet for most infrequent drivers. 👍

[Jean565]

I have been lurking in these forums for quite a while!  I have learned a lot and came to the conclusion that the Yaris we ordered could turn out to be a liability due to lack  of regular use and   our  lack of suitable facilities for Battery charging etc.   Instead we changed the order to an automatic Aygo X which is now in transit.  It's been  difficult to work out what car would suit our current needs.  We have had two Yaris' over the last 22 years ( our current Yaris is 2010 reg ) and we would have happily had another Yaris.  It was only when I queried the 12 volt Battery problems with the dealer was I told you need to drive a hybrid regularly and they arranged a test drive in an auto Aygo X.   So hopefully  this car will be suitable and reliable as our previous cars.

[Cyker]

My Mk4 was out of action for a month and as far as I know the repairer didn't trickle charge it during that time, but it didn't have any 12v problems when I picked it up. I took it on another 2 hour hoon after just to make sure tho'  

 

[nasamorpheus]

Toyota doesn't care.. they could start a car with hybrid Battery but they choose cheaper small 12v battery 

[MCatPG]

On 6/21/2023 at 7:42 PM, Max_Headroom said:

So as not to add another 12v battery thread to the many here could i ask those members who carry a jump pack what you  bought and have you used it, a link would be great.

Even though i am sure my weekly mileage (which isn't a huge amount) will be enough to keep the 12v battery happy i think buying a jump pack and having peace of mind knowing i will never get stuck is well worth the money spent to get it.

I bought this. Haven't had to use it yet but at my most recent SoC 12.2V the time must be approaching.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-clippjs3-multifunction-micro-jump-start/

 

 

 

[CPN]

41 minutes ago, MCatPG said:

I bought this. Haven't had to use it yet but at my most recent SoC 12.2V the time must be approaching.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-clippjs3-multifunction-micro-jump-start/

You'll be fine. I've seen my voltage as low as 11.3v and the car has still started fine.

[anchorman]

2 hours ago, nasamorpheus said:

Toyota doesn't care.. they could start a car with hybrid battery but they choose cheaper small 12v battery 

No they can’t. 

[Eddie G]

Good points TonyHSD love the way the MK4 drives otherwise it would be an AYG0 X, as i find myself going on longer trips and ways to work at times just to make sure the 12v is topped up enough with only being a 10-15 minutes drive to work, next time an Aygo X could take my money if it drives nice? even if it has oversized wheels and something like £125 a corner tyres on it!!! 

[Max_Headroom]

On 6/22/2023 at 10:48 PM, MCatPG said:

I bought this. Haven't had to use it yet but at my most recent SoC 12.2V the time must be approaching.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-clippjs3-multifunction-micro-jump-start/

That looks the business like the Swiss army knife of jump starters. 

[Max_Headroom]

I had an Aygo x as a loan car not a bad car but the dash is a bit of a mess. 

 

[Yugguy1970]

On 6/19/2023 at 1:29 PM, Yaris Hybrid 2021 said:

https://www.skoda.co.uk/new-cars/fabia/hatch-monte-carlo
 

 

They are nice cars and if you no longer trust the Yaris then yep, get rid as it's no fun owning a car you don't have confidence in.

I had a really nice brand new Focus stlx but the high pressure fuel pump died when it was 6 months old and stranded me, the rear shocks leaked, the door rubber seals came off, so although it was nice to drive I was glad to get rid too.

[CruxisCore]

I've been eyeballing the Telwin Drive 9000 and Noco GB20 (or GB40). 

These hybrids don't need much amps, so much of these are absolutely overkill for jump starting these Toyotas. However, if I'm gonna pay a 100€ or whatever and have it in the car and remember to charge it occasionally, I'd prefer that it's capable enough to help out a fellow road user (or the wifey) who drives an ICE car and that requires a bit more from the device than these hybrid Toyotas. In -20 celsius you are only gonna a few attempts to crank that 2,5 litre Volvo with a small device, if even that.

And remember, as tempting it is to put in under the boot floor, it's the most inconvenient place to access if your Battery is dead and the electronically controlled boot door won't open 😄

 

 

[anchorman]

6 hours ago, Eddie G said:

Good points TonyHSD love the way the MK4 drives otherwise it would be an AYG0 X, as i find myself going on longer trips and ways to work at times just to make sure the 12v is topped up enough with only being a 10-15 minutes drive to work, next time an Aygo X could take my money if it drives nice? even if it has oversized wheels and something like £125 a corner tyres on it!!! 

You don’t have to drive long distances if you can leave it in the READY mode for 30 minutes and lock it with the second key.  

[Max_Headroom]

Our lass can spend over half an hour in the supermarket so a good excuse to sit in the car and charge the Battery and let her do her thing. 😉

[CruxisCore]

11 hours ago, Max_Headroom said:

I had an Aygo x as a loan car not a bad car but the dash is a bit of a mess. 

 

Driving one now and tbh I dont mind the design. I dont exactly mind the kinda screen that just pops out of the dash, but I also appreciated that this was integrated.

[Cyker]

I quite like the AygoX's form factor, as it's basically a Mk2 Yaris  

If it had the Mk2's trick seats, the Mk4's drive train, and the Mk4's dash I'd totally get one.

 

[Max_Headroom]

This shows what i mean about the dash. 

 

 

[Eddie G]

13 hours ago, anchorman said:

You don’t have to drive long distances if you can leave it in the READY mode for 30 minutes and lock it with the second key.  

Is that enough to keep the 12v topped up enough? dealers said best to drive over 60 around once a week for at least half an hour.

[nasamorpheus]

21 hours ago, anchorman said:

 Whatever you say I'm sure they could.. at least they could put in normal 12v battery like in other cars you know.. bigger at least 

 

[Cyker]

They could, but all that does is increase the time before it runs down - It won't stop it running down.

That said, a few people here who were right on the cusp have tried putting in bigger batteries and it seems to have worked for them so far, as they use it just enough to be able to charge it up before the car is left again.

39 minutes ago, Eddie G said:

Is that enough to keep the 12v topped up enough? dealers said best to drive over 60 around once a week for at least half an hour.

I had heard that, but AFAIK the 12v Battery is charged from the DC-DC system from the traction Battery, so I don't see why driving at 60mph would make a difference; I think they're just confused, as that's the advice you'd use for a normal car with an alternator!

 

[Derek.w]

Normal cars have a bigger Battery thats physical size.

If you look at Ah (amp Hour) or cca rating it can be lower the same or just slightly higher but in a smaller package.