My 2012 Prius just got into the dealership luckily right before it’s 10th birthday to qualify for the free abs brake booster/actuator fix. But the parts are back ordered and they have had it for just over a month now. They gave me a loaner Camry, but I am worried about my Prius Hybrid battery sitting too long. A couple weeks ago I asked if I could just take my car and bring it back when the parts came in….but they didn’t want me to do that because it’s covered by the warranty and I guess a safety liability issue. Does anyone have any insight if letting it just sit unused for over a month could cause any damage? I am thinking I should go up there to start it and let it run for a bit, or maybe see if I can drive it around for an hour.
This is a tough situation, a weak/older hybrid battery can go out of balance without being driven in a month
I agree with jc91006. Especially a hybrid battery that has been in a lot of heat could be weak at 10 years old.
Using the quote you got from Mendel Leisk, perhaps *they* would be willing to drive it for X miles. The dealership always thinks they are smarter than the customer, but it would be hard for them to argue with the manual put out by the manufacturer.
Go in and let it idle and charge the battery... They shouldn't have a problem with that. But, if it does go "bad" while under their care, they will need to charge it, or replace it....
Too bad the car isn’t like the Gen 1 with a built in charger, I would think the dealership should have to do a balance charge occasionally and be liable for doing so while it sits in their care
mmmm "If the hybrid battery becomes fully discharged and you are unable to jump-start the vehicle with the 12 volt battery, contact your Toyota dealer" Wow, I didn't know the 12 volt battery was able to get the hybrid battery charged up!
The 12v battery starts the computer and the gas from the fuel tank runs the engine that charges the hybrid battery Mike
There was a long-haul trucker who posted on here once... He had a gen2 prius he bought and then didn't get around to driving it for over a year and if started right up with no issues. As the saying goes, "Your Mileage May Vary."
My 2012 Prius C has been parked in my garage for over 2 years. I start the car and check the battery every 2 months. It never shows any change in the traction battery charge level. But the auxiliary battery does show voltage drop so I connect a smart charger to the 12V battery.
Yes it has mostly been garage kept, but has been in the hot Texas summers every year. That does make me feel better. Thank you.
Thank you all for the replies. Just to be cautious and help ease my mind some, I have decided I am going to go up to the dealership Monday and let it idle for a while and blast the ac and pump the gas so the ICE comes on. I need to get a few of my belongings out of it anyway.
don't use the a/c, just hold the brake down tight, floor the gas, and wait for the battery to fill up
