Need help on storing my Prius

Hi Terri,

Make sure your neighbor knows the difference between READY (where the car can be driven) and IG-ON (where all the instrument panel warning lights are on and the car cannot be driven.) You want the car to be made READY and left for 30 minutes, not IG-ON.

Regarding the SMART button, it will need to be depressed each time the car has been turned off, if you want that feature to remain off.

 

If your neighboor isn't gonna drive the car I would just leave the smart button in the off position and have your neighbor use the key fob to lock and unlock the car. One less thing for him to worry about.

 

If you intend to routinely leave the car for that long, invest in a battery tender. Do NOT use a "trickle" charger, as these always put out 1 amp of charge, and will destroy a 12 vdc battery if left plugged in.

A battery tender, such as the VDC Battery Minder, continually monitors the charge on the 12 vdc battery, and will automatically adjust the charge. Typically, a battery tender cannot charge a dead battery, as they only put out around 1 amp. But they can automatically regulate to miliamp charge output if need be

The better battery tenders also desulfate the battery. Is it worth paying an extra $20 for this feature? I have equipment at my hobby farm that can sit for months at a time, so in my case, yes it is worthwhile

If you intend to have your neighbor "charge" the car, it's absolutely essential to provide lessons on how to properly start the Prius. For example, if your neighbor gets into the Prius, presses the Start button, with his foot OFF the brake, the car will go into IgOn mode. This will have the effect of draining the batteries

 

I was thinking about this and as a new owner it took me a few days to be comfortable with starting and stopping the Prius. Unless your neighbor drives a Prius, they are probably going to forget what they need to do in three weeks time, some written instructions and checklist?

What happens if your neighbor doesn't shut the drivers door correctly, or switches on an interior light and forgets to switch it off?

Do you want your neighbor to do anything if the 12v battery does go flat?

What about the garage and ventilation, you don't want to return to your Prius to find that a 12v battery is not the only dead thing...

 

A battery tender is a good way to go. Just install it and forget about the 12 volt battery going dead. I have one of these:

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Cheap but should do the job for a few weeks, no problem.

 

If that happened to me, I'd be seen carrying a large plastic bag away from the garage, and whistling nonchalantly.

 

Terrigee,

As paprius4030 already said, just leave the SKS button in the "off" position & instruct the neighbor to insert the fob into the dash slot (for start'g with his foot ON the brake pedal & look'g for the word "ready" to the upper right of the "0" MPH on the speedometer). Have him run the car for the 1/2 hour with the garage door OPENED, & then (even if he is going to close & lock the garage) insist he lock the Prius with the fob & listen for one SHORT beep from the car. The short beep & the blink of the signal lights will indicate the car is properly locked, so no door (or the hatch) remains ajar to leave on an interior light that will drain your 12v battery. Warn him that if he gets no blink of the lights & hears one LONG beep, that something is wrong with either his shutdown of the power or his closing of a door (or hatch).

Ken (in Bolton,Ct)