How to instruct friend to look after stored car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by skoosh, Nov 5, 2005.

  1. skoosh

    skoosh New Member

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    Hi

    I have a slightly unusual problem. We're moving to Spain in January but since I wanted a second-hand 2004 Prius and there was only one on the market in the area, I bought it last week on a brief visit then parked it in an underground carpark until I return around 12 December. Just before leaving, I was slightly perturbed to read in the Spanish manual that you should start the car for 30 mins every 2 weeks to keep the small accessory battery charged. I only drove the car myself for two days so I'm not very familiar with the hybrid system and I asked a colleague to look after it for me. I have disabled the remote sensor device which open the doors and starts the car as I know it can drain the battery.

    I see the issue has been discussed elsewhere but I'd like some clear and simple instructions regarding exactly what she should do which I can pass on to her as she has not driven the car before. I know she should swich off all lights, AC etc but should she be in park or drive? I presume that neutral won't charge the battery.

    Can anyone please give me some simple advice which I can pass on to my colleague in Barcelona so I don't encounter a dead car when I return!?

    Thanks in anticipation.
     
    #1 skoosh, Nov 5, 2005
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Probably the simplest instructions, would be to put it in ready for 30 minutes every couple weeks (staying in Park is fine) then shut it down.

    If you're OK with her driving it and she's OK with driving it then just have her take it for a spin for 30 minutes or so every couple weeks. You probably don't even need the full 3 minutes, but just to be safe. Driving will probably keep the HV battery at a higher SOC as it will drain down to the Pink zone on the SOC if you just sit in Park, but either way, there will be no harm and the battery should be fine.
     
    #2 efusco, Nov 5, 2005
  3. skoosh

    skoosh New Member

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    Thanks very much, Evan, for your helpful advice which I'll pass on to my friend in Barcelona. I think I'll just ask her to put it in ready while in park. She was wary of driving it just in the car park in case she pranged it!

    Skoosh
     
    #3 skoosh, Nov 5, 2005
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    You might also advise her not to be alarmed when the gasoline engine shuts off. It's perfectly normal in a Prius, but drivers without Prius experience may think something is wrong when the engine shuts off.
     
    #4 Bill Merchant, Nov 5, 2005
  5. skoosh

    skoosh New Member

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    Thanks Bill. I've passed on both your comments to my friend and she has the manual in Spanish so I'm confident she'll manage to do this for me. It is a bit of a worry if you can't leave the car for more than two weeks. I wonder how real the problem is.....
     
    #5 skoosh, Nov 5, 2005
  6. GreenMachine

    GreenMachine New Member

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    I think Toyota took into account that no Prius owner would ever want to part with his baby for any more than two weeks -- I'm more worried about the effect on you than the car itself. LOL
     
    #6 GreenMachine, Nov 5, 2005
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    You can probably go longer than 2 weeks without harm, but just how long depends on other variables.

    Also, you could always disconnect the 12v battery completely so that it won't be depleted at all. The HV battery can go 6 months + without harm. You get a few Check Engine Lights when you reconnect and probably have to reprogram a bunch of stuff like the NAV, the auto-up window, etc., but if you've got to be away for a long time it would be worth it to do that.

    I just didn't mention that before since you already had someone to run the car for you.

    BTW, I may be in Barcelona next Spring...I'll try to remember to PM you to see if a meet-up is possible.
     
    #7 efusco, Nov 5, 2005
  8. Subversive

    Subversive New Member

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    I don't know whether driving for two days is enough to free someone from the curse of the new car. It's a pretty tough call. Can you drive it around yourself awhile more first? I might be inclined to wait and get a new battery if it turns out you need it, just to be on the safe side.
     
    #8 Subversive, Nov 5, 2005
  9. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    I'd just disconnect the 12volt battery and deal with reprograming the auto-down window and the radio pre-sets. Then when you get back to your car months down the road just hook a booster to the Jump Point under the hood and when it's powered open the hatch, shut the car down and disconnect the booster and hook up the 12volt battery. Re-set the radio pre-sets and program the auto-down window. (see database for instructions)
     
    #9 Frank Hudon, Nov 6, 2005
  10. darwin100

    darwin100 New Member

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    what do youahve to do to reprogram the Nav system?
     
    #10 darwin100, Nov 6, 2005
  11. skoosh

    skoosh New Member

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    Thanks again. It was all a bit of a rush when I discovered that this was a potential problem so I didn't dare tinker with the car and disconnect anything! Yes, please let me know when you're visiting Barcelona next year and I can take you for a spin. I'm a doctor too - a radiologist.
     
    #11 skoosh, Nov 6, 2005
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