1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Battery survives 2 months without use

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Vancouver, Jun 18, 2010.

  1. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    42
    4
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I know that I've seen some threads about the battery not surviving a long period without using the car. Just got back from 2 months away, and everything started up just fine - phew!
     
  2. sigzephyr

    sigzephyr Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2010
    24
    1
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I was just about to post asking about this issue. I am going away for a week without my car. Seems I don't have to worry about the battery charge based on your post. Thanks.
     
  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2008
    3,033
    708
    75
    Location:
    Ballamer, Merlin
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    It should be noted that this is the Gen III forum and the car that started
    without a hitch after two months is a 2010. And this is a good thing...
    as far as it goes.

    On the other hand, there are innumerable threads about Gen II cars that
    have failed to start after sitting for much shorter periods.

    While how long a car can sit unused and still start successfully appears to
    be random, most likely it is a function of the health of the 12V battery,
    whether the owner shut down the SKS system, and possibly the addition
    of after-market accessories - especially stereos.

    Be careful out there.
     
  4. sigzephyr

    sigzephyr Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2010
    24
    1
    0
    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Oops, I'll go and ask on the correct forum. I don't even know what the SKS system is, so I have a bit to learn.
     
  5. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    42
    4
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    To complete the information on the thread, and hopefully be of use to anyone who searches and finds this thread, here is some additional information about my case:

    1) Gen III (2010) Technology Package (Canadian model)
    2) I made no special preparation of the SKS system prior to leaving
    3) The key fob was not near the car at all while I was away
    4) I did not use any type of trickle charger, etc.
    5) When leaving the hybrid battery indicator showed about 75%
    6) When returning the hybrid battery indicator showed about 75%
    7) I did not measure the 12V battery charge before or after
    8) I do not have any after-market accessories at all
    9) The car has had the warranty brake pedal fix
    10) The temperature was Vancouver summer temperatures (meaning not below freezing - yet not terribly hot)
    11) The car was in an underground garage protected from the elements
    12) The solar fan was turned off
    13) When leaving I locked the door using the door handle, not the remote
    14) When returning the door handle worked to open the car on the first try, and the push button to start worked on the first try

    That is everything I can think of......
     
    3 people like this.
  6. compac

    compac PSU, Metallic Blue Ribbon

    Joined:
    May 3, 2010
    52
    3
    0
    Location:
    VA, Blue Ridge mtns
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Good info and report...
     
  7. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    42
    4
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Glad you found it useful....
     
  8. fed123

    fed123 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2007
    119
    8
    0
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2024 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I don't believe that it is possible to turn off SKS on Gen III although you could do so for Gen II.
     
  9. saunj

    saunj New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2009
    16
    5
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm surprised. I just returned OK from a 52-day RV trip, but I have installed a 50A weatherproof toggle switch in the spare wheel well to disconnect the 12V battery.
     
  10. Vancouver

    Vancouver New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2009
    42
    4
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I was pretty surprised too - but pleasantly of course!
     
  11. jrct9454

    jrct9454 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2006
    73
    8
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Our car is parked in a covered condo building garage, but one that is open to the air at both ends, which means temps in the garage are never far away from whatever is the ambient temp outside. Never had a problem with either the '06 or, so far, the '10 Prius. Because we can walk to just about everything, the car often sits for days or even weeks at a time, especially in the winter. In the absence of some explainable battery drain [interior light on, door or hatch not shut, etc.], I have yet to hear of a problem - in this forum or elsewhere - that is related to simply having the car sitting quietly with everything properly secured. Don't know when / how this worry over batteries got started, but it doesn't match my experience at all....
     
  12. Dan bo

    Dan bo Prius Fan

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2010
    116
    34
    28
    Location:
    Canada, London
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    Great info, especially your follow up details. Thanks.