Battery question from an old lady

I graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary, pastored in the Massillon/Canton area part of the time I was attending. I can remember some of those crazy snow falls! (And the Orange barrels!!!). Driving your car whenever you feel safe really is the best option, followed by the charger (maybe you could utilize one that has a solar power to maintain a trickle charge). Running it in the driveway only would be my last choice, but if that’s the only option that would work for you, it is better than letting the battery die.

 

Running it in the driveway every now and then will replenish the traction battery charge, which a battery maintainer on the 12 volt battery will not do by itself.

It is also good to at least go around the block every so often, and use the brakes in neutral, until the scraping sound caused by rotor rust goes away and they are quiet again. If the car isn't garaged, it's especially important to do this when the weather is bad.

 

Last Thursday we got back from an up-the-coast vacation, the car hasn’t budged since. Will be driving today to get groceries. How it spent the hiatus:

 

Personally I do not advocate leaving the car unattended in Ready on any routine basis. Especially if the purpose is to simply keep the 12v battery charged up. If the car were to overheat or generate any serious trouble codes no one would see it. In most cases the car could be entered and driven off even without the keyfob. A kid could try it and cause problems as well.

However since you are already driving it a 1/4 mile several times a week some concerns like flat spotting tires are eliminated. But it would be far better to pick one of those days each week and get it completely warmed up and allow the hybrid battery to gain a nearly full charge. Perhaps a visit to the mall or in person to the grocery store. Doing so weekly would also keep the 12v topped off. It does not drop much in a week. The car also benefits from using enough gas to require some fresh gas every three months or so.

 

500 miles a year isn't great for a hybrid. idk about ohio specifically, but overall, hybrids are in great demand, and selling for very high values.
i would consider selling it and buying a non hybrid before something expensive breaks.

 

The car doesn't normally even try to give the traction battery a full charge. It targets about a 60% state of charge, so that there will be capacity for regen braking, and if the battery isn't close to that level when you go READY the car, it will get returned to a reasonable mid-charge without you having to do anything special. This turns out to be good for the battery's longevity, which is why the car manages it that way.

 

If possible consolidate a few of the car chores; a 3~4 mile drive less frequently is (debatably) better than a one mile drive more frequently. Especially if you’ve got it on a charger through the down times.

 

ready mode is when you want to drive it. but just leave it in park and it takes care of itself.

foot on brake, press power button once.

beware of thieves, it can be stolen when ready, without the key.

 

Lol, a charger that only pumps out 4 amps for almost a $100 when you can buy an under $30 ---> 10amp smart charger/maintainer with LED screen that gives you valuable data that the expensive weak one doesn't? https://www.ebay.com/itm/354203591176

It boggles the mind how much money people waste on cheap junk just because it's overpriced and popular on Amazon...

 

Yeah prices have gone up. Mine was about $80 CDN when I bought, close to 10 years back IIRC. But the build quality and dependability of that brand is good. Regarding wattage: check owners manual; you don’t want to exceed its recommendation by too much I think.

 

Depends: My OM specifically states on it not to exceed 5amps so that “inexpensive” 10am charger could prove to be “cheap junk” that cost $$$$.

 

Perhaps, but with that thinking, none of us should buy one and hang on to it longer than a few months, maybe. Perhaps your solution is a little overkill for the problem.

 

Retired, not sure I could handle the stress anymore. Were your music courses with Dr. Sprunger by any chance, and in the early 90’s?
I think I have an excellent, and perhaps a very enjoyable solution to your battery problem: an occasional drive to Ashland to see your friend and maybe time it for the chapel service (assuming they are as uplifting as they used to be). That 26 mile trip once every few weeks or so, I know for me, would do wonders for my car AND me! I envy you being that close!

 

I’m rooting for you to try it! I’m turning 71 in December, my wife is 67 and one thing we have learned is the more we do, the more we can!