Short rides, infrequent use.

[Micken]

I have never owned a hybrid car, and am looking to buy a Corolla touring sports, I do a very low mileage under 6000 miles a year. used infrequently local shopping and some monthly longer trips, I keep my present car Battery topped up with a smart charger with no Battery problems. will I have any Battery problems changing to a Corolla.

[TonyHSD]

Hi, 

most likely you will be alright, a 6000 miles per year it’s not that low.
Even if you only drive it twice per week for over 20-30 min each time,  the car been ON, the Battery will be topped up.
Smart charger can also help and there is no difference  to other cars 12v batteries, how to charge them.  
People who got batteries problems are those who were unfortunate to purchase  a car with 12v Battery inherited problems from before they bought the cars, like cars seating long in transit, dealerships or when you buy a used car and the bay been flatted already . 👍

[forkingabout]

Remember the 1.8 hybrid the 12 volt Battery is under the bonnet.

2 litre hybrid the 12 volt Battery is under the boot floor.

You can jump start the 2 litre hybrid versions from under the bonnet.

[Heidfirst]

4 hours ago, forkingabout said:

Remember the 1.8 hybrid the 12 volt battery is under the bonnet.

2 litre hybrid the 12 volt battery is under the boot floor.

You can jump start the 2 litre hybrid versions from under the bonnet.

on the 2.0 TS the 12v Battery is in the cutout on the right hand side of the boot, behind a removable trim panel.

[Dylanfan]

I cover about the same mileage as you, 26k in 4 1/2 years and some months I only do 4 or 5 20 mile round trips. Obviously other times I do much more.

Still on original Battery and never failed to start instantly. My car is a 2019 so does not have all the connectivity of the later ones but I think regular use should give no problems. My car has stood for over two weeks and still started instantly.

[Micken]

Thanks for all your replies, looks like it should be ok for my mileage.

[Pannett]

We cover about 6000 miles a year and some weeks we only do two journeys each of 4 miles. Our 12v Battery consistently lost voltage and on 4 separate occasions the car wouldn't start. The last time it happened, I connected the trickle charger and after five minutes the car started. The car had a software update a while back and this slowed down the voltage drop, but after the fourth failure the dealer replaced the 12 volt Battery under warranty on July 30th. On 4th August it had dropped by 0.2 volts which beforehand could occur overnight. I have a booster pack just in case it fails again. If you are used to connecting a trickle charger, then you won't have any problems. The positive charge connection is in the fusebox under a flip over cover and there are nearby metal components for an earth connection.I suggest that you ask your dealer to confirm that with your mileage there will be no problems with the 12 volt Battery. If you get this in writing (unlikely) then if  your car does give problems and the dealer tells you that your mileage is too low, you could then reply that your were assured that there wouldn't be a problem so the car is not fit for purpose. Other than this issue it's a brilliant car.

[Micken]

it looks like I have similar use to you,  some weeks I only do two 2 mile journeys, if I make a habit of charging the 12 volt Battery every week do you think that will work. and will it keep the hybrid Battery charged.

[TonyHSD]

3 hours ago, Micken said:

it looks like I have similar use to you,  some weeks I only do two 2 mile journeys, if I make a habit of charging the 12 volt battery every week do you think that will work. and will it keep the hybrid battery charged.

Don’t worry about the hybrid Battery. As soon as you start the car the hybrid system will take care of recharging both hybrid and the small 12v Battery. All you need to do is to start the car at least once a week for at least 30min ON time, ready mode. No need to drive, no need to recharge even with external charger. Just whenever you have time , on your driveway or when waitstaff for someone in the car keep it ON and let the system do the rest. The engine will kick in from time to time to recharge the hybrid Battery where the hybrid battery itself will recharge the 12v battery.