Good evening and thanks for welcoming me. I am new to this forum. Here is my situation, my son was stuck abroad for a year and he left is 2012 Prius at some friends property for the same amount of time. It has not been driven since. He is coming back soon and I will fly get his car What should I do before starting it? I assume the 12v battery will be dead so I will get a new one. (The temps can be in the mid 20's at night in winter and upper 90's in summer) I am planning to have all the fluids, in addition to the synthetic oil, changed. More likely the tires. I have read that the gas tank will need to be flushed. Some people told me that if there is not a lot of gas left I can get some premium and it would be ok. Is it true? Regarding the Hybrid battery do I need to get it tested after all above is done before driving it home safely? Thanks for your answer
welcome! check/charge or replace the 12 volt. see if the car will start. if not, the hybrid battery may be dead, or you could have stale fuel. at that point, you will need a prius aware code reader. if it starts, i would follow whatever the maintenance guide says. the fluids should be fine, unless they have reached their time/miles limits. and even that is just a suggestion, and doesn't have to be exact. if it doesn't start, make sure the red light on the fob is coming on as well. how many miles on her?
Replace the 12 volt. Make sure engine oil at full line. Cross your fingers the hybrid battery is still alive. Bottom line is a Prius does not do well just sitting there especially for a year. Especially in the heat. Corrosion will set in on the hybrid battery. If hybrid battery failed Do not fall fall for the hybrid battery “rebuild” that many people are offering. That’s $400 out the window. like bisco said if no start the next step is a hybrid capable obd tester to pull the codes it will throw. use the search forum link up top and search Dr Prius It’s a phone app that will pull hybrid codes. Needs a $30 Carissa Bluetooth device. Amazon.com good luck.
