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Getting a Prius in neutral to be towed

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kearnshippy, Jan 11, 2016.

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  1. kearnshippy

    kearnshippy Junior Member

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    Hi everyone! I just bought a 2007 Prius but I needs to be towed to the mechanic and has a dead battery. I have a truck and tilting trailer to get it to the mechanic, but from what I understand, the car has to be powered on to go into neutral.
    I've used the "search" feature in the forum and just want to make sure I have the right idea. It looks like I can connect jumper cables to the jump terminals that are on the driver's side under the hood. Then I let it charge a few minutes and the car should theoretically be able to go into neutral, right? Also, the car it sounds like has a seized engine, so how can I get it into neutral without starting it?
    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
     
    #1 kearnshippy, Jan 11, 2016
  2. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    Hooking up jumper cables should work to power up the car, but they might have to remain hooked up to keep the car on depending on just how dead the battery is. To put it in neutral without it trying to start, put the key in and press the power button twice without your foot on the brake. Then you should be able to press the brake and shift to neutral. If the ready light comes on, hit power again to shut it down. The car will try to start the engine after a few seconds in ready and probably wouldn't work out well with a seized engine.
     
    #2 vskid3, Jan 11, 2016
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably get a dashboard full of lights, but it might stay in neutral.
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 11, 2016
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Get it towed with front wheels off the ground?

    Also, you have got it started before, and it's sounding bad, seized?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jan 11, 2016
  5. kearnshippy

    kearnshippy Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info on getting it into neutral without starting it. I'll consider bringing a spare battery just in case. I'm putting it on a flatbed trailer and towing it to a mechanic for what is most likely a new engine. I've budgeted accordingly when buying the car, so I'm not too worried. I have a mechanic who will do the swap for a reasonable price, and I'm probably going with a low mileage used engine. I just need to figure out how to get it on and off the trailer.
     
    #5 kearnshippy, Jan 11, 2016
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If the end result is to have a new battery installed, you should just put in the new battery before towing it. Then you'll have power when you need it.

    The Prius without a working 12v battery is like a useless piece of metal
     
    #6 JC91006, Jan 11, 2016
  7. kearnshippy

    kearnshippy Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the info. I was able to bring a spare battery and get the car into neutral without any problems. The tow company had left the proximity key in the ignition, which from what I remember kills the battery. So, thanks again!
     
    #7 kearnshippy, Jan 13, 2016
    ftl likes this.
  8. Bachelor boB

    Bachelor boB Junior Member

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    After a long jumper charge of my Gen 2's 12V battery, I still can't get it into neutral. Two pushes without foot on brake gets minimal console lights and no dashboard at all. Tried the shifter anyway, but car remains in Park.

    Starting the engine is not an option with one cylinder hanging out of the block. Car sat for 2 months and the hybrid battery is fully drained.

    Tow will be fine with a truck that lifts the front wheels, but getting it into the garage…? And getting the engine off the transmission?

    Destroying the transmission after all of the sunk costs (rental car; hotel; DIY garage) is not appealing. Garage does not have the ability to dolly around with front wheel drive in Park.

    Help?!
     
    #8 Bachelor boB, Jun 19, 2024
  9. Bachelor boB

    Bachelor boB Junior Member

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    Was jumping from front of car. Now jumping from rear. Normal dash lights, but still won't shift to neutral.
     
    #9 Bachelor boB, Jun 19, 2024
  10. Bachelor boB

    Bachelor boB Junior Member

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    So, 2 presses of Start with foot off of brake. Then press brake and shift to neutral. Requires plenty of juice in 12V battery. Be prepared for low brake fluid pressure = little to no brakes.
     
    #10 Bachelor boB, Jun 20, 2024
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  11. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    2500 lb. Capacity Professional Steel Vehicle Dollies, 2-Piece

    Put these under one axle and use a floor jack on the other axle. Drop the car, release the floor jack, if the car starts getting away from you; if all 4-wheels are locked. Used to move cars around the shop like this all the time. Reminder, the axle on the skates may swing a bit; even after dropping the locked wheel axles!!

    Hope this helps.
     
    #11 BiomedO1, Jun 20, 2024
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