Sorry, I was an embarrasment to Prius owners today.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Mar 27 2007, 10:14 AM) [snapback]412867[/snapback]</div>

Another example of how the massive amount of info on the internet provides much more of an opportunity to learn from other people's mistakes...

 

rule number one: if the car won't start with the smart key, stick it in the dash and try again.

at least you didn't walk into the dealer and hand them license to come up with all kinds of crap to feed you! and at least it's good for a laugh. if you can't laugh at yourself you have no business laughing at anyone else either

 

ok, now a funny story also becomes a learning post as well. no doubt others have done something similar and the way your story was told will help people to remember the SKS disable switch. it has been mentioned many times before but apparently not in a way that would make it memorable. you have solved that issue nicely. thanks

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Mar 26 2007, 11:54 PM) [snapback]412699[/snapback]</div>

I am a potential buyer...does the Prius need to be "jumped" alot? Any regrets on buying yours?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jacks @ Mar 27 2007, 06:59 PM) [snapback]413184[/snapback]</div>

Jacks, you will probably get better responses if you start a new thread, but to make a long story short it rarely needs to be jumped (after nearly 3 years, have never had to jump it). As others have mentioned, leaving a door ajar for a long time might be the only way to actually require a jump. A more sophisticated "jump" might be needed if a person were to leave the car on all night and ran out of gas (i.e. it might have to be taken to the dealer to get recharged). My only regret was not buying a blue one with gray interior (not available at the time, so not that big a deal). Would definitely buy another Prius if we could.

Nomo: Great story! Glad it came out to a happy ending. Reminds me of times when I just go Doh! after missing a simple fix to a problem.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jacks @ Mar 27 2007, 02:59 PM) [snapback]413184[/snapback]</div>

No, it shouldn't need to be jumped any more than any other car. It should also be easier, because it isn't the battery that actually turns the engine over. No regrets.

I believe the manual says you aren't supposed to jump other cars using the Prius.

 

I have to say, this story does nothing but reinforce what I've known for a long, long time:

is it plugged in, and is it turned on?

Just ask yourself those questions. Over and over. Until you think about how it REALLY plugs in and how it REALLY turns on.

I can't count the number of times someone has complained to me about his computer started having problems, and when I ask "what changed," the answer is "NOTHING!"--only to find out by asking and probing, again and again, that indeed something significant changed. "But that shouldn't have made a difference!" is always the answer.

Is it plugged in? Is it turned on? You made sure of the first, but you didn't stop, have a scotch and a cigar, and ponder the second one.

The scotch/cigar/ponder process is probably the most producting thing a man can do.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Mar 27 2007, 09:47 AM) [snapback]412849[/snapback]</div>

I don't know if that would be good for the Prius and the small auxillary battery. That battery is supposed to be recharged at around 3 amps. The automobile doing the jump starting has an alternator that can charge at about 80 amps or more, and is expecting an automobile starting battery that can handle that charge.

My Honda Rebel 250 has a battery, but if you tried to jump start it from a Diesel Pickup you're probably going to have bad results.

Also, if it was just the SKS wouldn't it boot up and give the little key display light? I know I've tried to start it before without the key and didn't think it was a dead battery.

 

NoMoShocks, your story is amusing and informative so I won't laugh at you. That was a tough call you made. Look like an idiot in front of your wife or look like an idiot in front of your friends. By the way, it's Morse code after the somewhat famous guy that invented it.
--
Is it plugged in? Is it turned on? I thought that was only needed in my office.
--
Guys, if you feel a need to jump your Prius, do it from the front or the antenna is going to penetrate something that wasn't designed for penetration.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sub3marathonman @ Mar 27 2007, 08:46 PM) [snapback]413248[/snapback]</div>

In "ON" mode (don't know about ACC or IG-ON) the 12VDC system can provide up to 1kW, or about 80 amps.

Details here.

Might not just hook it up and try cranking the other vehicle right away, but a couple of minutes' recharging of the other vehicle's battery from the Prius DC-DC converter would probably make a subsequent jump start attempt successful.

Not recommending it, but I think the Prius would rise to the challenge. Remember, it's just like any other car, only better.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Mar 27 2007, 06:47 AM) [snapback]412849[/snapback]</div>

This is the rule:

If you are the “jumped†use the post in the fuse box - any chassis screw will do for (-)
If you are the “jumper†then use the actual battery posts

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Mar 27 2007, 09:47 AM) [snapback]412849[/snapback]</div>

That could be a problem, because the trunk won't open without battery power!!! Well there is an emergency release, but you have to get under the storage compartment to get to it (so I've been told). So that means you have to open the rear passenger door and drop the seat down, then work to access the battery...it's a pain (I speak from experience).