Battery level at 30% when i picked up my Prius after car detailing

We have reg's banning car wash in Vancouver city, but in our outskirt city of Coquitlam no ban as yet.

Funny thing, I wash ours maybe every two months, using about a tablespoon of liquid car wash detergent in a pail with two liters of water. When I'm done there's at least 1.5 liters remaining in the bucket, which I pour out in the house, into the sanitary sewer system. Very minimal impact I would think, we use more detergents washing the dishes.

 

(the bolded) That's where I'm at as well.

I'll have to ask my buddy who is a Toyota Master Tech if they ever put the Prii into N for any length of time and if so, why.

As for the car washes, I never use the auto-pull through ones in my Prius because I generally find the "tracks" to be just high enough as to be a pain with our low ground clearance. That style isn't popular around me anyway, most around here are like a garage. You pull in and stop, and the wash apparatus moves around you while you stay still ie. "touchless."

I also prefer to wash at home but I have a driveway and hose and no water restrictions so it's easy for me. Not everyone is so lucky.

 

All my cars go to the car wash -- Almost all of them are brushless. I normally turn off the AC -- but really .. how is it any different vs driving in heavy rain.

 

30% won't trigger a warning.
But the scenario I found myself in, was far less than 30%.

Not a big deal, and I blame myself far more than The Prius. I've used a drive-thru Car Wash...a lot since getting this Prius. Never had a problem. My mistake was it WAS a hot day, There was a line to wait (not long, probably 5 minutes or less) and I kept the AC blasting the whole time.

I've entered my 3rd year of ownership and maybe the reality has just changed. I've never had the HV battery nosedive like that before. But I don't suspect anything was wrong, other than I should of waited with all accessories OFF and the windows rolled down, and left the AC off, until I was done with the car wash.

Next time I use the dreaded Drive-Thru, I'll pay closer attention.
I use to believe the risk of getting a low battery message was low...nearly minimal...having experienced it now? I'd say I've changed my opinion and SOC and Accessory usage are definitely factors you need to pay attention to if you get in line to use a drive through car wash.

 

Sorry, since it has only happened to me once, I don't remember the exact wording. I don't remember an audible tone either, but I was sitting in an operating car wash at the time.

 

Car won't start

First you would need to get the car to towed to an authorized dealer .... then they test if the battery was damaged or not (possible) then they can charge it I am not aware of anything the user can do. In case the battery or some of the cell were damaged you will have to get a new battery and get is installed ... and yes NOT under warrantly. (You used the car in a way it was NOT supposed to)

 

NO in neutral it WONT charge I do not suggest to try because you can damage the HV battery !!! When it is in Neutral, ICE is separated from the CVT ("transmission") and the motor/generator MG1 CANNOT restart the engine. I think you were in parked !!!!

 

@Roger T

Would you be so kind as to state exactly what you are using to measure the % of the SOC you have been quoting in this string?

I am specifically asking for a name brand of the device you are using. I see numerous references to anywhere from 30% and up in your posts, but have not seen exactly what you are using to measure said percentage.

Please clarify.

 

Mostly true, partially not true. The engine is not separated mechanically from the transmission in neutral. Therefore MG1 has to spin if the engine is running and the wheels (thus also the ring gear) are stopped. However, both motor-generators are electrically shut off in neutral, so no useful power can be generated to recharge the battery.

 

Right !!!!

 

Why put it in "neutral" instead of "park"? I can understand a neutral setting when going through a car wash, but not otherwise.