Battery issue if left at airport

You should address that question to the numerous posters that have done just that. It was a fairly common problem with the Gen II.

In addition to eliminating a common problem, eliminating a button also saved money for Toyota. The Gen III design worked very hard to lower costs.

Tom

 

I don't think this is a valid point with the Prius. There is no starter motor so you don't take a great deal out of the 12v battery at start up.

 

It is. You don't drive a starter motor, but the Prius steadily drains the 12V battery when parked. There are a number of circuits that remain energized, so the quiescent draw is hard on the little 12V battery.

The problem is exacerbated by the simple charging system used in the Prius. The 12V battery is connected to a fixed voltage, so the small 12V battery charges rather slowly. Short trips do not replenish the charge lost while sitting, resulting in eventual depletion.

Tom