Battery question from an old lady

I have a 2014 Prius C. I like the car very much. Her name is Betty.

However, I run into issues because I don't drive often. As a result in the winter I end up with a dead battery. I know it is because I don't drive enough. I read about getting a trickle charger and that would be nice. However, the electric outlet outside is as far as possible away from the carport. I would have to have an extension cord that is more than 100 feet long to reach it.

Then I read about putting the car in "Ready Mode" and letting it run for an hour about once a week. I am posting a picture of what I read for you.


I am thrilled about that option, at least for in winter. I told my daughter and son-in-law that I had already done that a few times. They were really upset with me and they talked to a mechanic at the Toyota dealership and he said I could ruin the battery doing that.

When I read that article on here, it had said that the Prius battery was made just so you could do that, but of course I didn't copy that part off and I don't have the link. I have hunted for the link for several days.

Could someone here please talk to me about this? Is this information correct and does it harm the car?

Thank you,
Susan

 

I see that my picture did not post, so here is what it said:

"Prius Battery

To maintain optimal battery performance, the batteries must be used.

This can be done by driving the vehicle, but there is also a maintenance process you can follow. This consists simply of putting the car in "ready" mode for about 60 minutes once per week. Toyota highlighted this process in a recent post.

To maintain proper charge, simply go through the normal start procedure. Press the "start" button with your foot on the brake and ensure that the "ready" light is illuminated on the dashboard.

There's no need to keep your foot on the brake after the "ready" light comes on, but you need to ensure your vehicle's transmission is in "park" and the parking brake is engaged.

Toyota and DC Battery Hub both recommend keeping the car in "ready" mode for about 60 minutes before switching it off again. During this time, you may feel the internal combustion engine kick in...this is a normal part of the self-charging process."

 

PriusCamper, PriusII&C and ChapmanF thank you so much! I like the sound of that battery switch and the solar battery maintainer. Finding an outlet to use the other battery charger is not going to happen. The only way I could find one closer is to let my front door open and then run an extension cord from the living room.

I am also thankful to know that I will not damage the car to put it in "Ready" mode to let it run an hour. That is a relief.

 

Bisco, I actually have that exact extension cord. I bought it from that link November 1, 2020. I paid $38.48 for it.

 

Mendel Leisk, is this the correct charger? I am in northern Ohio. I actually think I am unlikely to do this, but I appreciate the option and I am saving everything I am learning here. I am very happy there is more than one option.

My issue is that I drive very little. I drive to the mailbox once a day and cover 1/4 mile. Other than that, I only drive to doctor appointments every 3 months and to vet appointments every 8 weeks. I put about 500 miles on the car last year. I need to drive more.

Now it won't let me post my link.

 

Thank you so much! I just found it on Amazon.

 

Thank you, ChapmanF. That is probably what I will do when the weather starts getting bad.

ColoradoBoo, I just had an issue with rust on my rotors due to my lack of driving. I am going to try to drive more and like you said figure out a nice place to drive. The scenic place is across the road from where I live. LOL It is gorgeous there, but won't put miles on my car.