Prius and the car wash

no, it depends on the health of both batteries and level of charge.

don't go in with a low hybrid battery, and shut the a/c off.

 

both. it is a hybrid idiosyncrasy because the hybrid battery charges the 12v. nothing charges when you are in neutral, so you can have a low hybrid battery going too low, a bad 12v not getting charged, or a weak hybrid battery cell that goes poof.

even with new batteries, i wouldn't go in with less than 5-6 bars on the battery icon.

 

I always "Force-Charge" our Gen 2 before going into one of those types of car washes. (I have not found a way to Force Charge the Gen 4 and would be interested in finding out how to do it, if anyone knows).

 

there is a way to check the 12v charging on the mfd. i can't remember on gen2, but you should be able to find it through search.
also, a free load test at an auto parts store is a good idea, and i like to check mine with a volt meter at the under hood jump point in the morning before starting anything.

batteries are fussy though, always degrading. you can never be 100% sure except when new and not defective.

 

for the hv, you need an app like torque to see all the module voltages while under load when driving.

 

pleasure!

 

Dr. Prius shows that data as well... It's displayed better too...

 

never done it, but i think you hold the brake with your left foot and floor the gas

 

That is correct.

 

I also use the parking brake as extra insurance .

 

Force charge all the time. Not necessary to floor it just step on brake firmly and while in D gently apply gas pedal till you see the charging arrow going into the battery on the mfd. old timers would call this power braking
Except for the gentle pedal.

From one purple bar till you see some blue takes about a minute in my 07.

 

Thankfully, I am still young enough (65) and able enough to wash my car by hand.

If I ever had to go to an automated car wash, I would choose one where you stay in the car, and the machine just sprays soap and rinses it off. (no roller brushes). Not the best kind of wash, just a quickie, but I can sit in the car in READY mode and not be concerned about batteries.

I think that will be good enough when I'm 80.

(I feel like a wimp sometimes. My dad was still hand-washing his old Camry when he was 85! And still doing all the yard work himself. And all car maintenance. He never went to a car wash in his entire life! Or hired a gardener. Or hired anybody, period. He was one tough old Marine! He passed away at 87. Semper Fi, dad. )

 

Good Lord how long are these automated car washes where you live? I'll go visit one occasionally if I'm short on time, but the entire process takes about 3 minutes! I can't believe that's enough time to drain a battery. I've spent longer than that at stop lights.