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Impact of using Metromile?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Mayank Jain, Mar 6, 2018.

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  1. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2018
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    Location:
    Cupertino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Hello PC :)

    Now that my car is running and working nicely, insurance is up next!

    Since I drive so low number of miles per year, I signed up for Metromile - they've sent me a device for the ODB2 port.

    I am assuming that this device will run off the 12v battery.
    1. Will it be draining the 12v battery when the car is parked & turned OFF?
    2. If yes, what can I do to prevent it from draining the 12v battery? (apart from physically removing it each time I park)?
    3. In case I need to jump start the battery when metromile is connected, is there a need to disconnect such external peripherals?
    Thanks a ton!
     
    #1 Mayank Jain, Mar 6, 2018
  2. SlidingBike

    SlidingBike Active Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2017
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    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Good to find you on your next steps of your Romance with the PiP
    I have tried Metromile for my Odyssey( It runs around 5K miles per year as its a stand by vehicle for any family requirements) in the past and I have returned it to them due to few reasons. The main reason is that They track a LOT of your Private life on your vehicle with the OBD device(things like what time where you are with your vehicle etc). I felt that my privacy is at a stake. On the other hand, if you just get one of your fleet of vehicles(check my signature, many vehicles for me) by metromile, you may lose your multi vehicle discount for that vehicle. Overall, it didnt make good sense for me for the Metromile deal.

    Answer to your question, I did refer this in your last thread that OBD device suck the 12V power. So, count this sucker as one possibility of your battery drain if you keep the obd all the time. If you remove the obd, your claim may not be covered.
    Jump start doesnt require the obd to remove as it suck a consistent low power.
     
    #2 SlidingBike, Mar 6, 2018
    Mayank Jain likes this.
  3. gallde

    gallde Active Member

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    Location:
    Tarrytown, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Someone must know for sure, but I believe that the CAN bus that powers the OBD port does NOT run when the car is in standby/OFF.
     
    #3 gallde, Mar 6, 2018
    Mayank Jain likes this.
  4. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2018
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    Location:
    Cupertino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I am actually okay with that - as long as it gives me added advantage of locating my car & also lowest possible insurance rate for my driving style. My entire life is online already probably :)

    I just connected the metromile device in my PiP and there's a red/orange light indicator which comes on when this device is connected. The device doesn't seems to turn off when the car turns off. Hence, for sure it needs a battery.

    I also made the PiP charging schedule for early morning. My plan is to keep the car plugged in at all times when parked.

    Further exploratory questions
    1. If PiP remains connected everyday (but charging is scheduled) - can I leave PiP like this for longer times (like a week) : as my driving needs are only on the weekends.
      1. On weekdays : I am assuming that every successive day, the car wont charge because the EV battery will be full from the previous day's charge
      2. In such a case, is the OBD port expected to drain the battery? Or will the PiP's charging mechanism save it (assuming the 12v battery charges when PiP charges its EV)

    I am just trying to error on the side of caution to avert another dead battery instance.

    Thanks!
     
    #4 Mayank Jain, Mar 6, 2018
  5. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    #5 Mayank Jain, Mar 6, 2018
  6. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    I sometimes leave my OBDLink LX plugged in and it always has power, although no useful data when the car is off. I haven't had problems with the battery, but went for this device particularly because it is supposed to be good at not consuming too much power when not in use.
     
    #6 QuantumFireball, Mar 13, 2018
    Mayank Jain likes this.
  7. pilotgrrl

    pilotgrrl Senior Member

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    Location:
    Chicagoan in TX
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have a T-Mobile SyncUp Drive OBD II device. One function is that it's supposed to read the OBD II codes and tell you if there's anything wrong with the car.

    I think it doesn't have Prius codes, because it always said the 12v battery read 12.3v, which seems quite low for a 2 year old car.

    I've removed the device. The only thing it's good for now is the roadside assistance that's part of the package.

    Since I'm just now getting up to 10,000 miles, I'm not worried that my Prius is going to start dying of old age, neglect or abuse.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 pilotgrrl, Mar 13, 2018
    Mayank Jain likes this.
  8. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2004
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    Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    When I drone a 2012 Prius Plug-in base model, I determined that the 12 volt battery was charged only when the car was plugged in and charging the traction battery (or when driving). When plugged in but not charging the traction battery (either because it was full or the timer was preventing it), no electricity went to the 12 volt, so any draw would lower its charge. Only when driving or charging plugged in would the 12 volt be recharged.
     
    #8 CraigCSJ, Mar 16, 2018
    Mayank Jain likes this.
  9. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2018
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    Location:
    Cupertino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Just for everyone's knowledge & any future questions : I'm using Metromile obd device with my PiP from last 20 days or so... and dont see any impact on the 12v battery. I do keep charging PiP every night.

    Cheers!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #9 Mayank Jain, Mar 20, 2018
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