how to access dead starting battery if keyless vehicle is locked

The manual is your friend. Page 477
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM47674U/pdf/sec_05-02.pdf

 

The 12V accessory battery powers the smart key. The 12V battery powers all of the cars electrical needs until the car is placed in Ready mode, then HV traction battery will power things and the ICE will charge that as needed. The 12V does not start the ICE you refer to it as the starting battery, it just powers the computers and relays allowing the car to enter Ready mode. The HV traction battery provides power to Motor Generator 1 (MG1) then MG1 starts the ICE as needed. Hope that helps, I am by no means an expert so if I am incorrect on anything above one of our resident experts will be along shortly to correct me.

 

I don't think you can use the mechanical key to open the trunk. You have to jump the battery from the engine compartment terminal located in the right hand fuse box. I would recommend preparing by a) open the car with the mechanical key b) open the front hood c) find and open the fuse box d) locate the jumper terminal and e) ensure you have some jumper cables under the seat that will fit on the fuse terminal (eg smaller, cheaper version).

Better yet, do all the above but consider carrying a jump start battery so you don't need someone else, particularly important if you are parked head first into a difficult to jump spot using another car. If it were me and I lived in a "bitter cold" part of the country, I might replace the trunk light with a led version and keep the switch off. That light will run down your battery if left on.

Final options: Buy AAA coverage and have the instructions printed out so they will know what to do when they do show up an hour later. Or practice and be prepared because it will happen sooner or later. It's not necessary to actually jump the car when practicing the procedure, but you should access the fuse box so you know how to get to it. On my wife's 2008, I put these instructions in a zip lock bag and taped them to the top of the fuse box along with a copy in the glove box.

Jump starters and cables Link

 

You should always attach the black (-) cable last to avoid sparks near the battery. The diagram is not really correct.

 

Your not at the battery. Your at the jump points in the front of the car.

 

The Black/Negative cable should not be connected to the battery it should be connected to a chassis ground. Like edthefox said if you are using the jump points under the hood you are not at the battery anyway.


Posted from my iPhone via the Tapatalk app.

 

No, no reason to jump the battery just to get in the hatch.

1. You use the mechanical key to open the driver door.

2. You unlock the rear driver side door manually once inside the car.

3. You fold down the rear seat

4. You climb through from the back seat to the hatch area

5. Remove the tray

6. Use a scredriver or your keys or something to pull the lever on the inside of the hatch that opens the hatch

edit: oops, been a couple of years since I've done this I forgot a few steps


I wouldn't recommend doing this in the dark but it can be opened with no electricity of any kind.

Once you've done that you can, if you so choose, remove the old 12v battery and install a new 12v battery and restore the vehicle to normal operation without ever using a jump start or charger attached to the car in any way.

 

The instructions I posted ARE from the owner's manual AND do show the recommended way to jump start the car if the 12v battery is low. Getting directly to the battery by crawling through the back is possible but not something most would do to get going. Certainly not my wife or most Prius drivers. Typically the 12v battery will live and charge again after jumping when run down by a light bulb or after sitting for a month at an airport. Even if the battery is failing, jumping could get you somewhere for proper diagnosis and out of the "bitter cold" which could be a danger. That was the original question. The idea of keeping these instructions is because most "helpful" people and a lot of tow truck drivers don't know how to jump start a Prius.

The battery can be checked through special commands on the display unit. Another important note is that the battery is not easily replaced either mechanically or by most retail auto places since it's a small unit with unique terminals and special ventilation connections. The "easiest" replacement is found at the dealer but will cost several hundred dollars for the part alone. There are online sources for the alternate Optima battery and a few autoparts stores can order them. All of these battery check and replacement details can be found on the forum.

 

RTFM.
Read The.....(*cough!*) FACTORY Manual.