Before you say that even going to a Browns/Steelers game as a Browns fan is a bad idea (which I can accept!) can anyone shed any advice on tailgating in a Prius? My aux battery just failed yesterday so I am thinking I might need to replace it today but I'm worried about running down either the aux battery or the Hybrid battery when tailgating this Sunday. I plan on turning off the dome lights if we have the doors open but I'd like to have music (the JVC speakers are awesome!) and I know the hatch will be opened repeatedly for food and beer. Has anyone else tailgated in a Prius? Did you encounter battery problems during/after? I'd hate to be stuck in the Muni Lot in Cleveland this Sunday - whether win or not! Thanks for any advice and wish us Browns fans luck! (We could use it.. Ugh).
I agree that you should replace the 12V battery now. During your tailgate, if you leave the Prius READY then you don't have to worry about running down either battery.
Is there an easy way to disable the drivetrain while in READY? I would hate to see some errant kid drive off in a Prius during the middle of a tailgate.
You can put the parking brake on and block the wheels and then make sure you keep all kids away from getting in the car...
Start the car, leave it in Park, and use the parking brake. Then lock the passenger doors, get out of the driver seat, and lock the driver door with your emergency metal key from the fob. I suppose someone could still crawl in from the open hatch, but that's pretty difficult.
In Australia "tailgating" refers to someone driving too close behind another vehicle (what you'd call drafting). I had to google "tailgating party" before I understood what this thread was about.
^^ That is also its primary meaning in the U.S. Before getting some context from the message body, I thought the same as you.
Thanks, everyone! It worked beautifully AND the Browns WON! (Though if you saw the game, you'd notice that both teams looked like losers. Whatever - we'll take it!) Thanks for all your help! PriusChat Forums are the greatest. I appreciate your expertise!
