Jump-Starting the Prius C

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DO NOT EVER JUMP ANOTHER Vehicle with your Prius. There are thousands $$$ of dollars of electronics that you do not want to fry. You aren't a tow truck. That's a job for a tow truck. I used to jump cars occasionally with my 1967 Camaro and 1990 Chevy truck. Both resulted in fried alternator diodes. Cost me several hundred dollars in repairs. Not worth the risk.

 

The Prius 12 volt battery was never designed to start a car, and is too small to do so.

If you want to be a Good Samaritan, carry a jump pack.

Schumacher XP400 Instant Portable Power Source : Amazon.com : Automotive

as an example.

 

Your manual has instructions on this.

 

I've used my C to jump my garden tractor/snow blower. I start by hooking the cables to the C first, then to the battery needing the jump. Have done this numerous times to date.

 

Probably worth doing a search of these forums for the perils of jump starting another vehicle from a Prius. I've read enough to ensure I will never, ever do this. If someone needs that kind of help, I will offer to call the local motoring organisation's battery patrol for them.

 

I believe the manual says to not do it but that may be a general safety note because many don't do it enough to remember the steps. I think it would be ok because it's still just a 12v battery and I can't imagine that an engineer would design such a basic circuit to fry and smoke. Just read the manual and make sure you're safe.


iPad ? HD

 

Alex It won't fry or smoke if you follow the manual and NEVER jump start another vehicle. Try to avoid jump starting your Prius from another vehicle as well, as that can be near $3,500 if you reverse the cables.

 

Could you provide the link to this WARNING. I couldn't find it on line. Thanks

 

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM52A87U/pdf/sec_5-2.pdf
(page 50 of the PDF, page 484 of the manual)

Usually I find an even clearer message, but that is the best I have in the 2013 Prius C manual.

 

Don't do it!! Too complexed because of the location of the 12 volt battery is inside the passenger compartment instead of underneath the hood. Secondly assuming you know what you are doing but if you short things out by accident, it will cost you many $$$.

 

I haven't done it personally but would risk it for a family member. I've read that damage to our cars electronics can be prevented by only using the Prius to charge the other battery and not allowing the other car to start while you're still connected. I haven't tried this though but it sounds reasonably safe if it is done this way

 

Well this is interesting. The 2012 model does not have the jump start terminal. We are directed to the battery under the rear passenger seat.

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM52B58U/pdf/sec_5-2.pdf

See pages 475-479 (45-49 of the PDF).

 

Yes, sadly just found that out. My battery has now needed jumping twice in the last few weeks. How long are these batteries supposed to last before needing replacement? Have had the car a bout 5+ years, but very low mileage(under 10K).

 

Any 12 volt battery is on borrowed time after 4 years.

 

Yeah, I just had Toyota replace the 12V battery on my 2012 Prius C. I never had a problem with it, and I wanted to keep it that way.

 

I was asked to be a good samaritan by a person in a grocery story lot. I had to pass because I had/have no idea where the 12v battery is located, much less my reticence to risk my vehicle's electronics. Hated to pass him by, but I guess that's my new normal.