Leaving A Prius

[LENDAR]

Im going on holiday for five weeks whats the best way to make sure my 2008 Prius starts on my return

I once just left sidelights on overnight and it wouldnt start .Any advice would be great thanks

[Phoenix999]

This is purely a thought. How about considering one of those dashboard Battery chargers that plugs into the cigarette lighter and is solar powered

Now I don't know if they really work so hopefully a couple of guys on here know a lot more than I do

Maybe this is worth trying :)

[Red Yaris 54]

As said above you could try the solar charger.................if the car is going to be left outside and not in a dark locked garage.

You should ensure that the cigarette lighter is "In circuit" when the car is switched off..............If not you should connect directly to the Battery.

If all your services.....(Lights/radio etc) are switched off there should be no reason why a Battery on a 2008 car should go flat.

If it does, you may have to rely on your "Club Toyota/ RAC membership to help you start after your holiday...................I hope that you have got Club Toyota cover?

[benw123]

I just got back from the Algarve today after a week's break, but haven't driven my Prius yet. Now I'm both tired and worried...

[Red Yaris 54]

I just got back from the Algarve today after a week's break, but haven't driven my Prius yet. Now I'm both tired and worried...

Relax..................Its a TOYOTA ;)

[timberwolf]

Sorry guys, the portable solar panel will not work on a Prius, because the 12v socket inside the car is disconnected when the car is switched off.

LENDAR, there are a number of different ways to approach this and there are also some variables such as age of the 12v Battery and past misuse that make predicting how long the Battery could last tricky.

Where is the Prius going to be parked for 5 weeks? (garage at home or outside)

Do you have a 240v mains supply if parked in the garage?

Is there some one that you trust and competent to check up on the car whilst you are away every week or so?

[Habu]

Just get a family member or close friend to turn it over once every week?

[LENDAR]

Thanks for the answers guys The car will be left in a garage with a 240volt supply

I was just thinking of perhaps a 1amp charger and a timer switch setting it for 5 or 6 hours a week

Any comments would be great

I did send a fax to Toyota UK and there reply was it should be o.k. but Im not convinced

[Danny K]

. . . I was just thinking of perhaps a 1amp charger and a timer switch setting it for 5 or 6 hours a week . . .

Something like the class leading Optimate IV trickle charger (Google for info) would take care of all the guess work - it's packed to the gills with computerised technology that switches itself on and off, measuring and testing the health of your Battery constantly; it's classed as an 'intelligent charger' as it thinks for itself. One of those left connected - without your extra timer-switch, (the Optimate takes care of all that itself), would keep your Battery in perfect health. Your method above although it sounds okay - is either all on, or all off, and hope for the best. The Optimate seeks 'perfection' in keeping batteries well conditioned. Although the Battery set-up on the Prius is a different kettle of fish to most 'standard vehicles', so you Do need to phone/speak to your local dealer first. I think a quality trickle charger for Prius owners leaving their cars unattended for weeks/months/years is a must, and not a 'should I, or not' option.

The Optimate Charger is 'famous' in the bike world and classic cars (a lot of bikes are leisure use only, ie., not used daily) for keeping batteries in tip-top condition when stood unused for long periods - I have one plugged constantly into to my (1150cc engined) BMW R1150RT tourer, (gel battery). Expect to pay between £40 (eBay) and £50 for the award winning and best trickle charger in the world, (IMO). I've got two in use on two other vehicles in my garage, which although not in daily use are always ready to go at the drop of a hat. Five weeks is nowt to the Optimate; as far as providing a trickle charge - there is no need to consider anything else. I've used Optimate chargers now for 18 years with my early 1990's model II still in use (got 9 years use out of an infrequently used battery), and the current and best model IV, bought this year for a second machine.

But again; the Prius is no ordinary batteried car - you HAVE to talk to your local Toyota dealer first.

P.S. Don't forget to leave the handbrake off, otherwise you might find the brake pads 'binded' to the discs upon your return.

P.P.S. I take it you're only concerned with the 12 volt battery that powers the Prius computer and keeps it 'alive' without which the whole car shuts down, as the main batteries are over 200 volts (as I understand it, not being a Prius owner).

[Danny K]

Error - duplication of above.

[LENDAR]

Thanks Danny K sounds like the thing I need. Im only concerned with the 12 volt Battery that powers the Prius computer but will check with the dealer first The charger seems to be selling about £40

[timberwolf]

As Danny K possibly said (sorry I didn't read all of the post) don't use an ordinary Battery charger.

To add to your choices, I bought a CTEK Multi XS 3600 charger to use on my Prius. Unfortunately, my car is parked outside, so I only use it occasionally when I am around to charge up the 12v Battery, but It does have the trickle mode or as they like to call it a pulse maintenance mode.

You can either connect the maintenance/trickle charger to the Jump Start point under the bonnet or connect directly to Battery under the floor in the boot. I've only used the croc clip leads on the Jump Start point, but I think you can do a more permanent solution with eye-let leads and secure those to the battery terminal (I haven't investigated that option).

For the Jump Start terminal, there is a little trick to removing the fuse box cover, and that is to start off by pressing down on the cover to splay out the sides. Then working from the top edge, ease that side off. For the bottom edge, I found that you have to press the catch in with your finger to release it. It doesn't explain how to remove the cover in the Owner's Manual.

Warning: if you are careless about connecting up the charger or jump start cables, e.g. getting the leads mixed up and connecting them wrong way around this will very likely cause expensive damage to the ECUs i.e. 1000s pounds worth. Applies to most modern cars, but the Prius does have a lot of ECUs (computers).