Hello everyone! Long time lurker of the forums. I'm comparing the different models of the Prius Prime and there is something not included in the Plus level - the smart charging cable lock. Is this as simple as needing a key to remove the charger from the charge port? BTW I'm eager to hear about people's first experiences with this car.
welcome! good question, but i suspect it's more complicated than that. check out our first and only owner @ArtVanDelay23 , and ask him.
I purchased an Advanced, which came with the cable. It's a simple 110v extension cord that connects the Prime to a household outlet. No keys Much faster to charge the vehicle at a free ChargePoint station. The cable is collecting dust in my closet.
The cable lock is complex and is mentoned on several pages in the owners manual, which is available for download here. It is for prevention of theft of the cable.
The "Smart charging connector lock and smart lid" is basically a feature that allows you to lock the charging cable manually or automatically. It can programmed the way you want. It also locks/unlocks the charging port lid via SKS. The options are: Full automation: This means the lock will engage when you plug in and disengage when you come back to the car. It's tied to your SKS so the pin will not unlock unless your key fob is nearby. Auto-lock: You can set it to automatically engage the lock when you plug in but it will not disengage when you arrive with your SKS. You still need your SKS fob near you but you have to press the lock/unlock button (it's a small grey button I think) near the charging port to unlock the pin before removing the charging cable. Manual. The charging cable can be manually locked/unlocked by pressing the charging connector lock button. The system also features a locking charging port lid so you need your SKS key fob with you when you're opening the lid (otherwise, it'll slightly pop open but will not unlock). It'll also automatically lock when you close the lid** **This operation is tied to the door locks. So, if the doors are all unlocked, then you can open and close the lid without the key. The idea is if the car is locked, you can just walk up to the charging port lid and unlock and open it without having to unlock the car itself. Of course using the wireless lock/unlock buttons on your remote fob also works.
I just bought my Prius Prime Plus 2 weeks ago, and I'm completely new to charging stations. I'm not concerned about locking my 110v charging connector because I intend to use it exclusively at home. But I tried a local Chargepoint station just for the experience and was surprised to discover the total lack of security in the process. Is it normal to plug in a commercial charger, walk away for an hour or two, and trust that nobody will come along and pull off the connector? Seems to me that it should lock somehow and the car key or Chargepoint card must be present to disconnect! What am I missing? (Sorry if this is off topic, but this seems like the right place.)
The Premium and Advanced trim models come with the capability to lock the J1772 charging connector in place (there's a little button at the bottom right of the plug when you open the charging panel). I leave mine set to manual so I can choose to lock the charging plug in place or not. The other settings are laid out very clearly by @Tideland Prius a few posts before this one. And yes, sometimes I am concerned about leaving my car with the charging port open and plugged in. The good thing is that if there is any damage (i.e. vandalism), I "believe" it will be covered under Comprehensive and not Collision. Someone else can weigh in on this. Edit: Sorry, just noticed you have the Plus - I don't think there's any way to lock the J1772 plug in place!
Typically, it's considered good courtesy to leave a public charge connector unlocked so that someone who needs it can unplug you after you are done charging, should they park next to you. iPhone ?
On the Advanced you can set it to auto lock and auto unlock once the charging is finished. P 118 of the manual.
Thanks. Seems to me that someone could see a market here for a third-party locking product for Plus owners.
