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

USB charger Prius 2 2017 android phone

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by RemyMM, May 3, 2021.

  1. RemyMM

    RemyMM Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2020
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I have a 2017 Prius 2. The USB port for the charger does not charge my Samsung S9. I have tried multiple chargers and unfortunately threw out some as I initially thought I had bad chargers. (The OEM chargers do not work)
    I brought it in to the local dealer for repair. I bought an extended service plan, which i would never do again. I was told the USB charger is not strong enough to charge a cell phone. I have to use the cigarette lighter (which I use for my gps). The service person said it would be an extra charge to check it if they determine there is nothing wrong. And they told me it is not a good charger so I skipped it.
    I rented a car last week and the USB charger kept my phone completely charged
    Skeptical, I called Toyota corporate. They told me the USB charger should keep my cell phone e charged.
    Which is ir? What is your experience?
    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    1,263
    858
    0
    Location:
    Monument, CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Isn't there a second 12V outlet in the back seat? Don't know that much about model Two.
     
  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    You'll not charge a phone with most car USBs.

    What sort of car was the hire-car - there are a few which will, but they're mostly either high-end or fairly new models.

    This has been discussed many times on PriusChat - and the answer is the same each time - it just won't.

    Check the internet - and you'll see most cars won't - some examples in 2 mins of searching:
    • "The USB jack in my 2013 (SUBARU) Outback WILL NOT charge my iphone"
    • "bmw wont charge iphone 11"
    • "USB port doesn't charge phone? - Ford F150 Forum"
    • "USB plug not charging the cell phone? - My Nissan Leaf Forum"
    • "New 11 Pro not charging in 2014 Mercedes"
    • "Problems Charging iPhone | GOLF"
    • "Mazda CX-5 front USB not for charging phones"
    etc, etc, etc.

    Some very new cars are now being supplied with a higher-powered USB outlet - like that on your laptop. Some supply just one full-function outlet (data/power), and several USB-POWER-ONLY outlets - usually in the back seats - for the children and dogs playing with devices in the back seats. I guess that's because the Entertainment system would get rather confused with 5 people plugging in their i-Phones to play music at the same time.

    But there's nothing you can do about your older car - that's how USB has been up till just recently.

    There was an article referenced somewhere on PriusChat which explained the ins-and-outs of USB, and the difference between charging and data uses, but I can't find it.
     
  4. MichelleStone

    MichelleStone Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2016
    549
    817
    0
    Location:
    Mariposa, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    My USB port in my 2016 model charges my phone and my iPad while I'm using them. The USB port in the car was meant to be powerful enough to run these devices. Tell your dealer that they are full of it.
     
    privilege likes this.
  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It's only marginal - it's designed that way - it will charge my Motorola phone - v-e-r-y slowly, but my SAMSUNG goes backwards. If I turn WiFi and GPS off, I might just break even.

    It's not TOYOTA - there's nothing your dealer can do. This is the article I found in "How-to-Geek"

    The problem with built-in automotive ports is that they don’t deliver enough juice to keep modern power-hungry phones, tablets, and other devices on and charging. We measured multiple vehicles with a USB voltage/amperage meter and found that the data port in the dash (commonly used to hook up a USB drive or phone to play music) offered a very weak 0.5A output. While that’s enough to power up your USB drive full of MP3s, it’s barely enough to trickle charge an iPhone and maintain the current battery level—if you’re using the phone for navigation, a notorious battery hog, it’s unlikely you’ll even charge it faster than it drains.

    And the Built-in USB "CHARGING" points were still less than, say, your I-Pad/Phone charger:

    The other ports in the vehicles, specifically designated as charging ports, didn’t fare much better. Every charging port we tested, in both the front and rear passenger spaces, was only 1A. How does 1A fare in real world use? Under ideal conditions, 1 amp will charge your smartphone or tablet, albeit very slowly, but it won’t keep up with active use (under less than ideal conditions it might not even work with your high-demand device). This means if you’re a passenger using the charging port to charge your iPhone while playing games, expect the battery to slowly drain despite being plugged in.

    Give up on TOYOTA/SUBARU/FORD/VW/MERC/BMW/AUDI dealers fixing it for you - they can't and hence will end up charging you $$$€€€£££ to - not fix it.
     
    Mambo Dave likes this.
  6. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2019
    640
    305
    0
    Location:
    33312
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    I only use the rear-facing USB's, behind the center-console for rear passengers, to charge my phone.

    The single USB in the center-console seems to be for music input, which is the way I use it.
     
  7. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2019
    640
    305
    0
    Location:
    33312
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    I wonder if something like this is called for?