Ok, some time last year I posted a question regarding the battery dropping a bar overnight. Now I can confirm this. I was parked in a parking lot waiting for my bro. The battery was at 5 bars, then dropped to 4 as I waited. When it did so, I decided to shut off the car instead of letting it keep discharging. When I started it up later (5? 10mins? later), the battery was at 3 bars. What gives?
it was probably at the toggle point on voltage and starting it was just enough draw on the battery to pull it down another bar. On the 2k3 the best I can tell for starting current draw is about 34 amps. That has been the highest number I've seen on the MiniScanner. The 2k4-5 with the larger MG1 and a lower battery voltage will probably be higher but at this point in time the only way to find out is with the THHT.
NiMH batteries are notorious for their terribly high self-discharge rates. The traction battery could easily loose 10% or more of its charge in a week just by lounging around in your trunk. 10% of full charge range is roughly 25% of the useable charge range. Rough numbers but you get the point... ...and what Frank said. Just sitting still in IG-ON mode, there is a significant draw on the traction battery, especially if blowers, heaters, A/C, headlamps, or audio is on. All in all, I'd say that your experience merits a tick in the "normal" box.
