Borrowed Car From Dad & Now It's Dead?

MaxS · 09-24-2006, 12:29 PM

Hi,

So I borrowed my Dad's car (Toyota Prius) for a few days and I must have left a light on because it's dead!

Can a car like this be jumped? This may seem like a stupid question but since it obviously runs off batteries, can I plug it into the wall? If so, where would I find this plug?

Thanks!

**Tideland Prius** · 09-24-2006, 12:41 PM

Hey, welcome to PriusChat!

Well, the battery is actually at the back but you can access the terminal at under the hood (it's on the driver's side). That is, unless you want to climb into the back seat and into the trunk to find the manual hatch release switch.

No, you can't plug it in.

MaxS · 09-24-2006, 12:53 PM

Well, I can climb into the back and open the trunk -- but I don't see the reason to if the battery is under the hood.

So if I can't plug it in, I should just jump it?

**efusco** · 09-24-2006, 01:14 PM

If you'll flip through the owners manual that should be in the glove box there are instructions of where to find the jumper connections (in the fuse box) under the hood. Yes, the 12v battery can be jumped pretty much like a regular car.

Getting a good connection on the jumper terminals can be tricky so if it doesn't work the first time then be sure to check your connections again to make sure they're good.

MaxS · 09-24-2006, 01:26 PM

Is there any precautions I should take that I wouldn't take for a regular car? I don't want to blow the battery.

**efusco** · 09-24-2006, 01:35 PM

No, just follow the directions in the owner's manual

See the last page of this PDF for a nice diagram and explaination of how to jump start.

http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/2nd...instructions%22

MaxS · 09-24-2006, 01:53 PM

Thank you!

**TonyPSchaefer** · 09-24-2006, 02:57 PM

Keep in mind, Max, that you most likely did nothing to the Hybrid battery. It's the 12v battery that you must have drained. And just like Evan and the others said, it's just like a regular car. I drained mine once and when I jumped it the Hybrid battery was showing more than half charged.

You will, however, need to reprogram the clock, the radio presents, any overrides your dad might have activated (back-up beep, etc), and I think a few other things.

Keep us posted.

MaxS · 09-24-2006, 07:55 PM

I jumped it!

I had to use a Denali (basically a truck that could eat the Prius) but it worked out.

Thanks for the help.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 09-24-2006, 10:31 PM

Best use for a Denali I've heard of in a while.
Glad it worked out for you.

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09-24-2006, 12:29 PM	#1
MaxS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi, So I borrowed my Dad's car (Toyota Prius) for a few days and I must have left a light on because it's dead! Can a car like this be jumped? This may seem like a stupid question but since it obviously runs off batteries, can I plug it into the wall? If so, where would I find this plug? Thanks!

09-24-2006, 12:41 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,920 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Hey, welcome to PriusChat! Well, the battery is actually at the back but you can access the terminal at under the hood (it's on the driver's side). That is, unless you want to climb into the back seat and into the trunk to find the manual hatch release switch. No, you can't plug it in.

09-24-2006, 12:53 PM	#3
MaxS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Well, I can climb into the back and open the trunk -- but I don't see the reason to if the battery is under the hood. So if I can't plug it in, I should just jump it?

09-24-2006, 01:14 PM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,247 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	If you'll flip through the owners manual that should be in the glove box there are instructions of where to find the jumper connections (in the fuse box) under the hood. Yes, the 12v battery can be jumped pretty much like a regular car. Getting a good connection on the jumper terminals can be tricky so if it doesn't work the first time then be sure to check your connections again to make sure they're good.

09-24-2006, 01:26 PM	#5
MaxS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Is there any precautions I should take that I wouldn't take for a regular car? I don't want to blow the battery.

09-24-2006, 01:35 PM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,247 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	No, just follow the directions in the owner's manual See the last page of this PDF for a nice diagram and explaination of how to jump start. http://techinfo.toyota.com/public/main/2nd...instructions%22

09-24-2006, 01:53 PM	#7
MaxS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thank you!

09-24-2006, 02:57 PM	#8
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,439 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 16	Keep in mind, Max, that you most likely did nothing to the Hybrid battery. It's the 12v battery that you must have drained. And just like Evan and the others said, it's just like a regular car. I drained mine once and when I jumped it the Hybrid battery was showing more than half charged. You will, however, need to reprogram the clock, the radio presents, any overrides your dad might have activated (back-up beep, etc), and I think a few other things. Keep us posted.

09-24-2006, 07:55 PM	#9
MaxS Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I jumped it! I had to use a Denali (basically a truck that could eat the Prius) but it worked out. Thanks for the help.

09-24-2006, 10:31 PM	#10
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,439 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 16	Best use for a Denali I've heard of in a while. Glad it worked out for you.