Jump Starting Mania

[chriscap]

Hey everyone - I have a 2007 Prius that I love with the exception of how often I have needed to jump start the car (probably 5 to 6 times since we bought it).

At first I thought I must have left an interior light on but since that first time I've been very careful to make sure the doors are all locked and the lights are off. I've stopped using the daytime running lights, etc.

My most recent trip to the Toyota Dealership where I bought the car brought no satisfying answers. They kept the car for a few days, charged the battery fine and had no trouble getting it started. They told me I should be driving the car frequently to make sure it keeps its charge which sounds ridiculous to me.

I'm thinking that I should just buy another 12V battery to replace the one I have since it's been fully discharged 5 times or so. I'm also thinking I should turn off the auto key fob sensing thing that I love so much since I read that this feature can drain the 12V battery.

Any advice from the Prius Experts out there?

Thanks
Chris

[bwilson4web]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriscap @ Nov 4 2007, 02:54 PM) [snapback]534645[/snapback]</div>

Hey everyone - I have a 2007 Prius that I love with the exception of how often I have needed to jump start the car (probably 5 to 6 times since we bought it).
. . .
[/b]

Can you summarize the conditions such as how long it takes to drain the battery?

Do you have a volt-ohm meter with a current scale you could use to measure the drain?

Bob Wilson

[efusco]

What Bob said...and yes, I'd probably replace the battery after being fully discharged that often.
I'd be concerned about a parasitic drain...have you added any aftermarket modifications? Do you go more than 2 weeks between driving very often?

If you park outside you could consider putting in a small solar trickle charger to keep the battery topped up. If inside and you have the smart key system then I'd suggest turning it off when you don't expect to drive the car for more than a week or so.

[donee]

Hi Chriscap,

Some other people with fully optioned Prius have mentioned that some add-on electronics can cause the JBL amplifier to not turn off when the car does. This has a parasitic drain which runs down the battery. Do you have anything that is plugged into the amp, like a satellite reciever ?

[blamy]

We had an aftermarket 12 disc changer in my wifes car and it would discharge the battery at odd times. Once at Best Buy while the installer was looking at the system it drained the battery in about 5 min! Scary to say the least. We didn't notice right away because we use the Prius for just about everything. That system was removed that day and we haven't had a problem since. So if you have installed anything or had anything installed check the wiring there may be a short somewhere.

[lefat1]

its the package 8 on the 07 thats giving you the problem...2 to many.

[drifty1955]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriscap @ Nov 4 2007, 02:54 PM) [snapback]534645[/snapback]</div>

Hey everyone - I have a 2007 Prius that I love with the exception of how often I have needed to jump start the car (probably 5 to 6 times since we bought it).

At first I thought I must have left an interior light on but since that first time I've been very careful to make sure the doors are all locked and the lights are off. I've stopped using the daytime running lights, etc.

My most recent trip to the Toyota Dealership where I bought the car brought no satisfying answers. They kept the car for a few days, charged the battery fine and had no trouble getting it started. They told me I should be driving the car frequently to make sure it keeps its charge which sounds ridiculous to me.

I'm thinking that I should just buy another 12V battery to replace the one I have since it's been fully discharged 5 times or so. I'm also thinking I should turn off the auto key fob sensing thing that I love so much since I read that this feature can drain the 12V battery.

Any advice from the Prius Experts out there?

Thanks
Chris
[/b]

How bad did you discharge it the first time? Leaving a light on till the battery is completely 100% drained sets the battery up for almost perfect battery sulfation. Once it begins that sulfation cycle she will never hold a charge properly again. To prove my point take out that little battery and bring it to an Auto parts store that will check it for free. It will fail a load test. If it was me that batt. would have been outa there first deep discharge because it will leave you when you need it the most not to mention possibly damaging the alternator. By the way always set the car alarm without fail in any situation even in your garage as it will warn you if you left any lights on. Good luck.

[chriscap]

Thanks for all the advice/suggestions. I don't have any aftermarket products so I don't think that is a problem. From reading other posts and reading the manual, my best guess is that the smart key system is the culprit since we sometimes leave the car for 4 or 5 days without driving it. I've turned that off and I'll see how the battery does.

Thanks again.
Chris

[efusco]

4-5 days shouldn't be a problem even with SKS...unless your battery is really bad.
I'd replace the battery, personally, and see how the car does.

[drifty1955]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chriscap @ Nov 7 2007, 03:30 AM) [snapback]536027[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for all the advice/suggestions. I don't have any aftermarket products so I don't think that is a problem. From reading other posts and reading the manual, my best guess is that the smart key system is the culprit since we sometimes leave the car for 4 or 5 days without driving it. I've turned that off and I'll see how the battery does.

Thanks again.
Chris
[/b]

Nope...have left my car for 6 days and started right up upon return.