Storing a 4th Generation Prius long-term

how long?

 

Owners Manual:
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM47A29U/pdf/OM47A29U.pdf
I dp not see any recommendations in the manual, though.

One dealer's recommendation:
How To Protect Your Toyota In Long-Term Storage - Toyota Parts Blog

 

I don't know, are the fobs doing anything if you don't push a button? Anyway:

1. Inflate tires to max sidewall, to reduce flat-spotting. (Or better, if it's garage stored: raise the car slightly and settle on safety stands.)
2. Leave the car with a full tank of gas. You can also put in gas stabilizer.
3. Put an open packet of silica gel in the cabin, maybe a few. Leave one window slightly open, and tuck in a rag, to prevent insect incursion but allow a little air circulation.
4. Shim the wiper arms with rags, enough to lift the blades off the glass.
5. Wash and wax the car.
6. Charge the 12 volt battery, then disconnect the negative cable. Or remove the battery completely from the car.

 

Remember, if you disconnect the 12V battery, you'll lose some of your settings - the Manual details them.

Is there no way for someone to take it for a run every few weeks instead of storing? I had someone's car stored here for a few months, on condition that I took it for a drive up to operating temperature every 2-3 weeks. Either way, don't forget to keep your insurance current.

 

The Prius (and any car with an expensive battery) is a horrible car to store long term.
For about 3 months, the HV battery should be fine. (The Gen 4 is a new battery chemistry, so no one really knows) The 12 volt battery is unlikely to survive 3 months, but disconnected is better odds than still attached.

Putting it in Ready every month would sure help both.

 

I believe you are supposed to disable the wireless locks on the car so it doesn't keep looking for the fobs.

 

If you've disconnected the 12 volt you're ok on that front. On that topic too: I've found a fully charged 12 volt battery out of the car (and likely even with just neg cable disconnected) is surprisingly stable. Due to no phantom loads I think.

 

I am new to this forum but have had a Gen 2 Prius since 2008. I had an issue storing it while I was away for several months, didn't do anything the first time and found the battery had discharged so had to jump-start. After that, and looking at forums at that time I got a battery charger and put it on trickle charge and connected it like for jump starting and it worked to keep the battery charged up while I was gone. The dealer told me the smart key system was the drain, but there was no way to turn it off.

Now I have a Gen 4 Prius, just purchased, and I am facing the same issue, I am wondering if there is a reason I can't use the same method to keep it charged up while away??

Thanks for any help.

 

you can, and it has a bigger battery under the hood now. also, you can turn off the smart key somewhere in settings, check the o/m.

 

Can we simply just remove the battery from the smart key fob?

And I like Mendel's idea of inflating the tires to max pressure. I did that in the past, with a Honda, and the tires were fine after a few months. (on the Prius, I wouldn't know where to put the jackstands, and I don't own a floor jack.)

Alan has the best suggestion of all… Find a reliable person to start and drive your Prius a couple times a month, if possible.

 

I use a low amperage smart charger, leave it on constantly if the car's going to be idle more than a couple of days. Doesn't hurt to leave it on constantly.

 

the car is constantly looking for the fob, that's why they tell you to store it away from the car.

 

Yes, I understand that. If we remove the little button battery from the fob, then car can't find it, right? The fob cannot receive the signal from the car.

 

Not sure about this, but I'd guess if the fob is far enough away that you can't lock/unlock by touch, no battery's being drained.

 

On FOBs - I live alone (with 2 dogs who aren't old enough to drive), so only use one FOB. When I got my Prius 13 months ago, I put the spare FOB into hiding without it's battery. Hopefully, it will start up again fine when/if I need it. Though, if it's like my last car, the one fFOB was still working fine at 4½ years when I sold the car.

 

from what i understand, the car searches for the fob, whether there is a fob within range or not. and that's why there car has a switch to shut off sks.
on the gen 2, it was under the steering wheel. on 3, in the mfd set up. not sure about 4.
i could be totally wrong though.