1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius left on all night

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by terkar, Jul 29, 2009.

  1. terkar

    terkar New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2004
    104
    0
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville, NC
    Dumb? of course, but it happened. Question is will this have any affect on the engine or hybrid components?

    When I got into the car in the am it was still on. Battery low but not gone - expect the engine cycled on and off all night.

    Anybody else done this? Any damage to car?
     
  2. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2009
    971
    208
    0
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Others have done it (mainly for running the A/C while sleeping.. or perhaps while using the Prius as a generator). No damage as long as you don't run out of fuel.
     
  3. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2007
    3,083
    407
    23
    Location:
    Chicagoland (West)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Plenty of others have done this simply by forgetting to turn the car off. Yes, I know it takes some effort to intentionally ignore the car's beeping at you, but it can be done. (Believe me:eek:)

    There is no harm to the HSD or any part of the vehicle. The only real dangers are CO build-up (if this happens in a closed space) and running out of fuel. If you do the latter, you likely will run your HV battery "dry" and that could be expensive.
     
  4. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,496
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    At car shows, people leave their Prius [ON] all day. It's essentially the same thing. Like you said, the battery gets drained and the ICE cycles on/off to recharge it.

    No harm, no foul.
     
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,979
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Even if you left the car on and it ran out of fuel, the traction battery would not "run dry". The car will shut off automatically once the charge level gets too low. It can still re-start a refueled engine -several times- (as in 5-10 times).

    But don't get into the habit of doing this. You DO run the risk of reversing a cell in an older battery. THAT will render the battery a "lamp lighter" as in the triangle !, and would eventually result in a replacement of the traction battery.

    The worst part of this is it would validate the morons who claim the Prius will break their owners with battery replacement issues. ;)
     
  6. terkar

    terkar New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2004
    104
    0
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville, NC
    Thanks to all - Guess I will take this off my things to worry about list.:):)
     
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,037
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Always lock the car. If it's not OFF it will give a long warning beep.
     
    lunalux and chinarut like this.
  8. terkar

    terkar New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2004
    104
    0
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville, NC
    Sounds good for some models but my 2004 (the first one in the Hendersonville, NC area) requires the engine to be off before removing the fob to lock the car.
     
  9. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    667
    58
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    ...and your MPG makes you eligible for a "clunker rebate" ;)
     
  10. m2b

    m2b New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2020
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Greenville, SC
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    II
    This was helpful...our new acquisition of prius 2014 which my HS son will now use...the motor was running yesterday afternoon and all night:confused:...only found that out this morning when I opened the garage door and heard the car outside. I was very confused, we were all inside and the car was running that's a first:eek:...still figuring out everything hybrid...Guess I will have to walk to the car before turning in from now:cautious: