Leaving a cooler of ice in the Prius for hot weather.

i think toyota has done everything they believe is necessary to get the battery through warranty.

 

I'm pretty sure bisco is being sarc'y.

 

If I were to attempt this, I think I would empty the spare tire well, load the frozen containers there, and replace the cargo cover with a sheet of rigid insulation board cut to spec. This would, IMO, create an internal "ice chest" that could A) cold soak the metal near the battery and B) chill the air closest to the battery.

Additional pro's are better containment in the event of a leak (the bottles are lower than the HV battery) and better containment in the event of a crash.

 

Then you end up with corrosion of the metal around you. At least when you get rear ended or get a flat in the desert, you'll have plenty of cold drinks in the back.

Everyday as you're leaving for work....oh damn, I forgot to pack the car with ice again

 

i'm serious mendel, do you think manufacturers try to build things that last way beyond warranty? i think it's too expensive.

 

Whenever I buy beer, I look at the Best By dates and it seems the damn bottles are always defective and go empty before that date

 

agree complete.

 

Get the window shades for the front door windows from WeatherTech. Then you can leave the windows open about 1.5 inches no matter what the weather. Combine that with their windshield shade and it will definitely make a difference in overall heat build up.

 

Get a white Prius too, right LDB?...sorry Pijoto

 

Yes, the white is definitely a help in keeping cooler as well but a much more expensive change to make than adding the window shades. The solar roof option is also a huge help and the best option ever in the history of automobiles, well, unless knowing Christie Brinkley and getting to drive her around is considered an option.

 

I think this whole discussion is pretty ridiculous.
Common sense "precautions" I think can be taken. That is on really hot days, seeking out sheltered or covered parking. Using sun shades, cracking windows, and tinting.

But all the precautions in the world won't stop the inevitable. The Hybrid Battery eventually will fail. As far as I know, nobody has ever been able to pick up their Prius new, and then circle the date the Hybrid Battery will fail on their calendar. Before warranty, after warranty, impossible to know.

What I do know is Toyota will honor the warranty until it passes.
I also know a lot of Prius owners have had LONGER than expected hybrid battery life.

My personal opinion is the idea of packing the battery area in ice to help protect the battery seems ridiculous.
One thing Toyota does warn against is transporting "water" in the back of The Prius. The idea of surrounding the battery area with ice on extremely hot days? Well it seems to me like taking the Titanic out to search for Icebergs.

Try to park in cooler, shaded area's. Use sunshades. Leave windows cracked to promote ventilation. Go as far as to have windows tinted to reduce heat.

BUT...enjoy your Prius. There is NOTHING you can do to make the battery last forever. It's a chemical based component, but like an engine, or a transmission, or a gear...it will eventually fail.

I'd take the money one expects to spend on "ice" and put it in an account for the eventual, and inevitable battery failure. And I'd relax and keep the ice in the drinks.

 

The OP usually has a cooler for his lunch in the car anyway.

All Pijoto does is add a couple more frozen bottles, and leave the cooler open.

At the end of the day the car is a little cooler and drier.

 

good way to get food poisoning, leave an open cooler with food in 100 degree heat

 

Pijoto is a smart guy. I assume he puts in enough ice bottles to keep his lunch cool until lunchtime.

 

when i was a kid, we used to buy a huge block of ice to go camping.

 

I also can't believe you guys are even having this discussion. I am also in Texas and my 2010 has set out side its whole life. You guys act like the Prius is some delicate thing like my Wife. The heat doesn't affect mine except for less mpg when the weather is hot. I treat it like any other car and in 6 years have not had any problems at all. I run air press in tires at factory specs for a nice smooth ride. Car rides nice is very comfortable and handles great at highway speeds 80 to 85.

 

See? Pijoto is smarter than both of us!

 

Cooling the cabin air 1 or 2 degrees is going to do squat to the temp of a massive battery under the hatch floor. But hey, that's what makes this thread interesting.