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Maintaining a stored Prius C for COVID-related penny pinching

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by illinoisjoe, Jun 14, 2020.

  1. illinoisjoe

    illinoisjoe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2018
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Now that my wife and I are both working from home for the foreseeable future, I looked into the insurance implications of "storing" our 2014 Prius C and just relying on our 2015 Prius 2. I have done a bit of research here and elsewhere about storing a vehicle, and I'm hoping for some advice for my particular situation. The goal is to save money, including the value of the stored Prius C. Given that I'll be around the whole time, I'm unsure which of the more drastic storage measures I'll need to employ. The vehicle will be outside in a carport (under a roof), not particularly near any outlets I'm allowed to use. I'm not really sure how long it will be stored, but it will be at least 30 days and could be up to a year depending on my employment prospects and requirements.

    Recently, I think a branch fell on the windshield, putting a nice growing crack (now about a foot long) on the bottom edge of the windshield, and messing up the wiper mechanism somehow such that the bigger driver's side arm is limp and sluggish, and as a result gets tangled up with the smaller arm. So, question one, should I address one or both of these issues before storing or after taking out of storage?

    My current plan:
    1. Clean car inside and out. (I did this yesterday, so the clock is ticking!).
    2. Get an oil change.
    3. add Sta-bil fuel stabilizer at the pump when current tank is almost empty. Find the fuel with the lowest ethanol content possible.
    4. Fill the tank, drive home.
    5. Get a portable tire inflator and inflate tires to slightly above recommended pressure. I've got my eyes on a well-reviewed one on amazon that just seems like a good thing to have in general. (sorry, I'm too much of a newb here to be allowed to post links).
    6. cover the car (advice on car covers that fit, aren't a huge pain to take on and off, and are a good value appreciated. I was thinking about a 157" model on amazon.
    7. Once a month (??): Run the car for 30 minutes, top off the tires, unset and reset the parking brake.
    Other things I've read about but am not sure are necessary since I'll be doing step 7:
    • put the car on jacks to save the tires. Jacks aren't that cheap, plus then I have jacks to add to my clutter.
    • leave the parking brake off to prevent brake pads from potentially fusing with rotors. Chock wheels. My space isn't perfectly level, and I don't own or want to buy or store chocks.
    • Purchase and use a battery minder. Not really feasible because the spot has no electricity access or sun for a more expensive solar powered battery minder. One of the other inhabitants of our two-bedroom condo would not be psyched to have a car battery stored there, before you suggest it.
    • Attempt to vermin proof the car. This sounds like a huge pain, I doubt I would successfully get all the nooks and crannies that a determined rodent might use, and I'd have to remember to unplug the exhaust every time I do step 7.
    I appreciate any suggestions, advice, or critiques of my scheme.
     
  2. illinoisjoe

    illinoisjoe Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Wow, since this blew up, I figure I should update it ;) The cover I got (#6 in original post) is a bit snug, but does the job. I'd recommend getting a bigger one if you ever decide to do this yourself.

    I opted not to repair the windshield and wiper issue. I'll worry about that when I start driving the car again.

    I set a repeating calendar reminder to run the car for 30 minutes each month. Do you think I should drive it slowly around the parking lot? Or just let it idle? I'm not sure which is better for hybrid battery recharging purposes, nor if driving it like that is legal or wise given that it's not insured rn.

    I did none of the four "other things" I mentioned above in the original post.
     
  3. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
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    Location:
    LA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    You can do storage insurance for real cheap, not sure if your doing that? It sounds like you know what your doing with storing hopefully indoor.
     
    illinoisjoe likes this.
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
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    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    No need to drive it around, idling is enough to maintain both battery systems. You might extend the time you run it and also exercise the air conditioner- the periodic dehumidification effect is good for the cabin, even in the cold season.
     
    illinoisjoe likes this.
  5. illinoisjoe

    illinoisjoe Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I am.

    I don't, but I read a bit. It is outdoors in a covered carport, unfortunately. I saw some squirrels running around a few weeks ago, but it still starts up like a champ every month.
     
  6. illinoisjoe

    illinoisjoe Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks! I have been running the AC full blast while it's on (and yes, usually for longer than 30 minutes), though I was doing it mostly to coax the engine on. I move it a bit to avoid having the tires in one spot.
     
  7. PriusII&C

    PriusII&C Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Just saw your thread and maybe this is too late. My Prius C has been parked in my garage since May of last year. I had not done anything special to the car except turning on it for 20 - 30 minutes once every 3 - 4 weeks. Around Christmas we drove it to a gas station to fill up the fuel tank and add some fuel stabilizer, and everything seemed fine after parking it for more than 7 months (with half tank of fuel and no fuel stabilizer). Now it is inside the garage again. Hope it will be ok.
     
  8. illinoisjoe

    illinoisjoe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2018
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Fingers crossed! Mine is still (not) going strong but last time I turned it on the battery was dead so I had to jump it. I'm hoping to sell it now. It just seems like a waste to have a car sitting there depreciating.