Parking a Prius over a month

The engine coolant and inverter coolant must serve three purposes:

1. protect the aluminum components from corrosion
2. lower the freezing point of the coolant
3. transport heat to the radiator where the heat can be dissipated

I recognize that in a tropical area, #2 is irrelevant. In my youth I lived in Honolulu, Hawaii which also is a tropical area. Regardless, the correct antifreeze is used there because that is a widely available fluid which satisfies all three purposes.

#1 is very important. I would not trust a generic antifreeze to provide the necessary protection. Toyota's repair manual is specific about the chemical properties required of the antifreeze.

Do not be tempted to use water as a coolant. The mineral content of the water will form deposits, and that fluid will promote corrosion of the metal which comes into contact with the water.

 

4. Raise the boiling point of the coolant.

You really don't want bubbles forming at hot spots within the coolant passages.

 

The traction battery powers the AC.

 

It depends on the speed the AC is running. If it's running at maximum, you will notice it draining the traction battery. If it's at the lowest setting, probably not.

 

The engine ultimately powers it, via the motor-generators and inverter. On its way from the engine to the compressor, that energy sometimes makes intermediate stops as stored energy--in kinetic, potential, or chemical (battery) form.

 

gps?

 

I had my Prius parked for about a month in my driveway this summer. When I started driving it again, the front brakes were making a lot of noise. The dealership said that the rotors had rusted beyond repair and I had to have both rotors and brakes replaced, for $1600.

 

unfortunately, the dealer took complete advantage of an uneducated consumer.

 

Next time, try bringing the car up to 50 mph or so, in an area where there is no traffic behind you. Shift to N and brake moderately to bring the car down to a very slow speed or a stop. Then shift back to D, bring the car back up to speed, shift to N, brake. Repeat several times and see whether you can sand off the rust via that method.

 

The gear selector lever allows you to shift between D, N, R, and B.

 

Apparently, I do not understand your question. Just move the gear selector to N.