Does Pre-conditioning works while abroad, car in UK?

[Mojo1010]

Just something I want to know to keep Battery top up while abroad on holiday. My car doesn't have preconditioning as it's a design trim, though in the future will look to get an excel. 

[Big_D]

By preconditioning, do you mean starting the car remotely through the MyToyota App?

An interesting thought. If it's all accessed via the internet, I would think this would be possible. One way to try is to see if the car starts when you are away from home, which is something I might try this weekend with the Good Lady's Yaris.

Theoretically, if both her and I go somewhere for the day in my car, and leave her Yaris at home, we should be able to start her car via the app. We'll be able to watch this on our driveway camera.

 

[yossarian247]

Even if it did I don't think I would trust it from that far away! If the app glitched and refused to turn it off again  would you want your car sat in Ready mode at an airport for  days/weeks? 

[Big_D]

If you use the App to start the car, it switches off automatically as soon as anyone touches the door handle. It remains locked throughout the process. But I do agree that I would also be a bit concerned with leaving my car running in a parking lot.

[Roy124]

The conditioning also cuts out after 10 minutes.

One dark, freezing night, I started the car in the hotel car park 200 yards away.  As well as deicing the car it also lit it up.  Easier to spot than just flashing your hazards.

[Haliotis]

I have been looking on line and, though I may be wrong, it appears to me that preconditioning is applicable to EVs that are charged from an electrical point, rather than hybrids which charge themselves.

The poster says for keeping the Battery topped up whilst abroad on holiday, so I am assuming that the car will be staying in the UK during that time.  In which case, would not a smart trickle charger be the best option?

[Roy124]

24 minutes ago, Haliotis said:

 would not a smart trickle charger be the best option?

That option is limited to parking where you have mains power available. 

Another is using a solar pack which is limited to parking in a place where you can get good daylight.

Or you could use conditioning at 10 minutes a time which is limited to parking in the open where unattended engine running is permitted.

There is no best.

[Mojo1010]

1 hour ago, Big_D said:

By preconditioning, do you mean starting the car remotely through the MyToyota App?

Yes. It would be good to know, it's internet so should work, though I don't have the car to test it out. 

40 minutes ago, Haliotis said:

The poster says for keeping the battery topped up whilst abroad on holiday, so I am assuming that the car will be staying in the UK during that time.  In which case, would not a smart trickle charger be the best option?

No garage to do that or car could be parked at airport. Don't mind starting car at the airport park as it's locked and once door open the engine turn off, better than a flat Battery which can do it damage. 

[Roy124]

22 minutes ago, Mojo1010 said:

Don't mind starting car at the airport park as it's locked and once door open the engine turn off, better than a flat battery which can do it damage. 

The problems with that is only 10 minutes at a time.   Then the Luton airport staff might suspect a fault and the fire brigade break in.

The only work-in-any scenario is a jumper pack.

[Haliotis]

Personally, if it is a case of on-street parking, I would avoid electric vehicles entirely.

[Graham47]

1 minute ago, Haliotis said:

Personally, if it is a case of on-street parking, I would avoid electric vehicles entirely.

The OP is asking about a Yaris Hybrid. Pre conditioning is available on some versions via the App.

[Roy124]

@Graham47, even HEV Halitosis has a point.  On the street you could add a Solar charger, or use a jumper pack.  Unattended running is not permitted and mains charging into the street is problematical. 

[Haliotis]

Sorry to pick you up , Roy, but “Halitosis” I am not.    Haliotis, my correct pseudonym, is the name of our favourite campsite in France - situated on the outskirts of the town of Pontorson.  In choosing “Haliotis”, I should have realised the mistake would happen sooner or later. 🥵

[Mojo1010]

Roy with regards to solar panel, I watched a YouTube video of someone conducting a measurement for 30 days. Without the sun it's really no point as it hardly top it up. 

[Roy124]

Mojo, agree, probably OK for summer sun but not winter skiing.  But that just reinforces the point by @Haliotis

On the point of bad breath, had I put @ first .....