How to instruct friend to look after stored car

skoosh · 11-05-2005, 07:55 PM

Hi

I have a slightly unusual problem. We're moving to Spain in January but since I wanted a second-hand 2004 Prius and there was only one on the market in the area, I bought it last week on a brief visit then parked it in an underground carpark until I return around 12 December. Just before leaving, I was slightly perturbed to read in the Spanish manual that you should start the car for 30 mins every 2 weeks to keep the small accessory battery charged. I only drove the car myself for two days so I'm not very familiar with the hybrid system and I asked a colleague to look after it for me. I have disabled the remote sensor device which open the doors and starts the car as I know it can drain the battery.

I see the issue has been discussed elsewhere but I'd like some clear and simple instructions regarding exactly what she should do which I can pass on to her as she has not driven the car before. I know she should swich off all lights, AC etc but should she be in park or drive? I presume that neutral won't charge the battery.

Can anyone please give me some simple advice which I can pass on to my colleague in Barcelona so I don't encounter a dead car when I return!?

Thanks in anticipation.

**efusco** · 11-05-2005, 09:38 PM

Probably the simplest instructions, would be to put it in ready for 30 minutes every couple weeks (staying in Park is fine) then shut it down.

If you're OK with her driving it and she's OK with driving it then just have her take it for a spin for 30 minutes or so every couple weeks. You probably don't even need the full 3 minutes, but just to be safe. Driving will probably keep the HV battery at a higher SOC as it will drain down to the Pink zone on the SOC if you just sit in Park, but either way, there will be no harm and the battery should be fine.

skoosh · 11-05-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by efusco@Nov 5 2005, 11:38 PM
Probably the simplest instructions, would be to put it in ready for 30 minutes every couple weeks (staying in Park is fine) then shut it down.

If you're OK with her driving it and she's OK with driving it then just have her take it for a spin for 30 minutes or so every couple weeks. You probably don't even need the full 3 minutes, but just to be safe. Driving will probably keep the HV battery at a higher SOC as it will drain down to the Pink zone on the SOC if you just sit in Park, but either way, there will be no harm and the battery should be fine.

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Thanks very much, Evan, for your helpful advice which I'll pass on to my friend in Barcelona. I think I'll just ask her to put it in ready while in park. She was wary of driving it just in the car park in case she pranged it!

Skoosh

Bill Merchant · 11-05-2005, 10:23 PM

You might also advise her not to be alarmed when the gasoline engine shuts off. It's perfectly normal in a Prius, but drivers without Prius experience may think something is wrong when the engine shuts off.

skoosh · 11-05-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Merchant@Nov 6 2005, 12:23 AM
You might also advise her not to be alarmed when the gasoline engine shuts off. It's perfectly normal in a Prius, but drivers without Prius experience may think something is wrong when the engine shuts off.

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Thanks Bill. I've passed on both your comments to my friend and she has the manual in Spanish so I'm confident she'll manage to do this for me. It is a bit of a worry if you can't leave the car for more than two weeks. I wonder how real the problem is.....

GreenMachine · 11-05-2005, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skoosh@Nov 5 2005, 10:39 PM
It is a bit of a worry if you can't leave the car for more than two weeks. I wonder how real the problem is.....

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I think Toyota took into account that no Prius owner would ever want to part with his baby for any more than two weeks -- I'm more worried about the effect on you than the car itself. LOL

**efusco** · 11-05-2005, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skoosh@Nov 5 2005, 09:39 PM
Thanks Bill. I've passed on both your comments to my friend and she has the manual in Spanish so I'm confident she'll manage to do this for me. It is a bit of a worry if you can't leave the car for more than two weeks. I wonder how real the problem is.....

[snapback]151338[/snapback]

You can probably go longer than 2 weeks without harm, but just how long depends on other variables.

Also, you could always disconnect the 12v battery completely so that it won't be depleted at all. The HV battery can go 6 months + without harm. You get a few Check Engine Lights when you reconnect and probably have to reprogram a bunch of stuff like the NAV, the auto-up window, etc., but if you've got to be away for a long time it would be worth it to do that.

I just didn't mention that before since you already had someone to run the car for you.

BTW, I may be in Barcelona next Spring...I'll try to remember to PM you to see if a meet-up is possible.

Subversive · 11-05-2005, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skoosh@Nov 5 2005, 08:55 PM
I bought it last week on a brief visit then parked it in an underground carpark until I return around 12 December. Just before leaving, I was slightly perturbed to read in the Spanish manual that you should start the car for 30 mins every 2 weeks to keep the small accessory battery charged. I only drove the car myself for two days so I'm not very familiar with the hybrid system and I asked a colleague to look after it for me. ...Should she be in park or drive?
[snapback]151262[/snapback]

I don't know whether driving for two days is enough to free someone from the curse of the new car. It's a pretty tough call. Can you drive it around yourself awhile more first? I might be inclined to wait and get a new battery if it turns out you need it, just to be on the safe side.

Frank Hudon · 11-06-2005, 12:35 AM

I'd just disconnect the 12volt battery and deal with reprograming the auto-down window and the radio pre-sets. Then when you get back to your car months down the road just hook a booster to the Jump Point under the hood and when it's powered open the hatch, shut the car down and disconnect the booster and hook up the 12volt battery. Re-set the radio pre-sets and program the auto-down window. (see database for instructions)

darwin100 · 11-06-2005, 06:41 AM

what do youahve to do to reprogram the Nav system?

11-05-2005, 09:38 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 18,054 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 102 Thanked 501 Times in 270 Posts Friends: 41	Probably the simplest instructions, would be to put it in ready for 30 minutes every couple weeks (staying in Park is fine) then shut it down. If you're OK with her driving it and she's OK with driving it then just have her take it for a spin for 30 minutes or so every couple weeks. You probably don't even need the full 3 minutes, but just to be safe. Driving will probably keep the HV battery at a higher SOC as it will drain down to the Pink zone on the SOC if you just sit in Park, but either way, there will be no harm and the battery should be fine. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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11-05-2005, 07:55 PM	#1
skoosh Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bermuda Posts: 6 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi I have a slightly unusual problem. We're moving to Spain in January but since I wanted a second-hand 2004 Prius and there was only one on the market in the area, I bought it last week on a brief visit then parked it in an underground carpark until I return around 12 December. Just before leaving, I was slightly perturbed to read in the Spanish manual that you should start the car for 30 mins every 2 weeks to keep the small accessory battery charged. I only drove the car myself for two days so I'm not very familiar with the hybrid system and I asked a colleague to look after it for me. I have disabled the remote sensor device which open the doors and starts the car as I know it can drain the battery. I see the issue has been discussed elsewhere but I'd like some clear and simple instructions regarding exactly what she should do which I can pass on to her as she has not driven the car before. I know she should swich off all lights, AC etc but should she be in park or drive? I presume that neutral won't charge the battery. Can anyone please give me some simple advice which I can pass on to my colleague in Barcelona so I don't encounter a dead car when I return!? Thanks in anticipation.

11-05-2005, 10:23 PM	#4
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,096 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 19 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts Friends: 62	You might also advise her not to be alarmed when the gasoline engine shuts off. It's perfectly normal in a Prius, but drivers without Prius experience may think something is wrong when the engine shuts off.

11-06-2005, 12:35 AM	#9
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I'd just disconnect the 12volt battery and deal with reprograming the auto-down window and the radio pre-sets. Then when you get back to your car months down the road just hook a booster to the Jump Point under the hood and when it's powered open the hatch, shut the car down and disconnect the booster and hook up the 12volt battery. Re-set the radio pre-sets and program the auto-down window. (see database for instructions)

11-06-2005, 06:41 AM	#10
darwin100 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 131 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	what do youahve to do to reprogram the Nav system?