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Prime is going to sit in garage for four months... advice?

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Michael Nielsen, Apr 29, 2017.

  1. Michael Nielsen

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    My wife and I had different ideas about which car to take to our cottage this summer. We compromised. This year, the Honda C-RV. Next year and from then on, the Prime. But this means that the Prime will be in the garage for four months. What do I do? Do I leave it plugged in with nightly recharges? Leave it unplugged but with a full battery? And what about the tires sitting for four months? Do I need to put the car up on stands to keep the tires from distorting? Any help appreciated.
     
  2. Prius from Dad

    Prius from Dad Senior Member

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    From what I've read here, use up the EV portion of the battery and then it is ok to leave it. Don't leave it plugged in. Don't know about the tires.
     
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  3. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

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    Keep hybrid battery with 40-50% charge.....accessory 12v battery on trickle charger
    Tires inflate to max allowed by tire manufacturer...and you will be fine
    Hybrid battery you should never keep fully charged if not going to use in short time after

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. Michael Nielsen

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    How do I keep the hybrid battery at 40% charge when I won't be around?
     
  5. dalcon95

    dalcon95 Senior Member

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    I think it was meant that you put the charge at 40 or 50% before you leave on your trip and not try the maintain the 40 or 50% while you are gone.

    #1 in Easley,SC
     
  6. Michael Nielsen

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    Okay, I get it. I actually just called Toyota Customer Care and the person there thought there was no problem with leaving it fully charged. Not sure who to believe but I guess the bottom line is that I won't worry too much about it.
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Do you have floor jack and safety stands? If so I'd go the extra distance: raise it and put on safety stands, just enough that the tires are almost off the floor.

    Also leaving the wipers off the glass doesn't hurt. And leave it with near-full tank of gas.

    Fully charge the 12 volt and disconnect neg lead, or leave hooked up to smart charger.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 29, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2017
  8. Tom_06

    Tom_06 Active Member

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    I went to St. Martins in January, a few weeks after I got the car. Before I left, the EV miles read 22.1. 10 Days later, the EV miles read 22.1. So I lost less than 0.1 EV miles, certainly nothing visible in 10 days. Over 120 days that would perhaps scale to 1.2 EV miles max if there is little Temperature dependency on self discharge.

    I don't think you have to worry about maintaining the battery even over 120 days although I would probably leave mine at 5 to 10 EV miles. I'd be interested to see how much it drops over that period.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't trust the people on the other end of the toyota line, they're just kids with summer jobs.

    your owners manual says to drive it until the plug charge is gone, (engine comes on) then leave it like that until you get back.

    pump the tires to the max sidewall, and put a maintainer on the 12v.
    have a great summer!(y)
     
  10. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    We get house sitters, dog sitters, plant waterers...next will be Prime sitters.
     
  11. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    I will be number 199, get it? :p
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I would trust the manual lol

    upload_2017-4-29_20-12-15.png

    Page 133.
     
  13. Michael Nielsen

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    Thanks for the specific reference in the manual. I will do what it says.
     
  14. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    And you don't have to worry about the tires. They won't "flat spot", even after 6 months. Pearl S is parked in the garage for 5-6 months every winter and I have never inflated to "full capacity" or anything else. Just make sure they have the proper pressure in them and they will be fine.
    -I- like to fill the fuel tank before putting the car in "hibernation mode". I just think if any contaminants get in there or something degrades, it will be more diluted. But I'm probably nuts. ;)
    You will absolutely need a "battery maintainer" on the 12V battery. There are many kinds, I use a "Battery Tender". Don't use a cheap charger for this. If you don't have one, buy a proper maintainer. Later when you take the Prime and leave the Honda, you can use the maintainer on it. CTEK is another brand that gets good reviews.

    Enjoy your stay at the cottage!
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The tires may or may not flat spot, debatable. Maybe the outcome is not that obvious? But say for example you have a floor jack and 4 jack stands: then I would raise the whole car slightly, and put it on jack stands. Even leaving the wheels slightly touching, but with most of the load off. Takes 10 minutes, why not?
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe tire brand and model?
     
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