I have read the manual and looked at the illustrations and wonder why the battery can't be connected directly to jumper cables? My initial thought is that they are concerned with an inadequate ground other than the ground terminal on the battery, possibly resulting arcing at the battery. Is there more to it than that?
you can, no prolemo. it's just easier under the hood, unless you're face first in the garage, or a parking space. especially if the battery is dead, and you have to crawl into the hatch from the front to open the hatch with the safety mechanism.
That is a good point. I never thought about the fact that there must be power in the battery to open the hatch.
you're right about battery arcing, you have to be careful. the neg cable to body is right in that space as well for an attachment point a little further from the battery.
If I'm going to connect directly to negative post, I just blow over the top first, to dispel any possible hydrogen. Might be pure whistling past the graveyard, but works for me. Also, good to wear safety glasses. To paraphrase Eric the Car Guy: "A full face shield would be better, but at least I'll still be able to see..., and get the lead in Phantom of the Opera".
I've been charging and jump starting engines for more than fifty years had have had only one catastrophic problem. It was not a pretty sight. Got to be careful about arcing.
If your vent line is in good order, then any hydrogen positive pressure will be exiting the vehicle on the underside of the hatch area. Still, better safe than sorry.
I didn't know these cars had a jump point, When my girlfriend bought her 2010 Prius, the dealership let the 12volt battery die and kept jumping it... I was wondering how they were and the 12volt battery looked un-disturbed...
Before you harm your car: The correct number of times to jumpstart your Prius before replacing the battery is one. The correct number of times to jumpstart other cars is zero. These simple rules will save you untold grief.
I'm aiming for two there. I drained my 2010 once in 2010 (unknown reason; I suspect the Scangauge never powered off, plus a week of sitting unused). Same battery still going strong 7 years later, so second time I jump start it will probably be when it needs replacing.
