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

leaving for a 10 day vacation

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kathyb, Dec 27, 2007.

  1. kathyb

    kathyb New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2007
    53
    1
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn, N.Y.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius

    Wondering if I can just leave my car parked in it's spot for the duration of my 10 day vacation or do I need someone to come and run it every 3 days which is what the dealer told me.....all replies welcom I'm leaving very soon.....:)
     
    #1 kathyb, Dec 27, 2007
  2. PeteSJCA

    PeteSJCA 2013 Prius Plug-In Base in Winter Gray

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2006
    73
    9
    0
    Location:
    san jose
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Hey Kathy,

    I left mine for 15 days last june/july and had no problems starting it up. I take it that you're in Brooklyn, that might me a little bit different than CA in the summer... but i think the batteries should be fine.
     
    #2 PeteSJCA, Dec 27, 2007
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Turn off the SKS to reduce the drain on the battery.
     
    #3 JimN, Dec 27, 2007
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,192
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    1)Dealer is an idiot.
    2)Should be fine for 10 days.
    3)If it will be in the airport parking lot or someplace like that that you don't want to be stranded on the off chance the 12v is drained then get one of the jumper boxes/battery boosters and stick it in the hatch so you can give yourself a quick jump. Get one with an air pump and it'll make it convenient to check and adjust your tire pressures too.
     
    #4 efusco, Dec 27, 2007
  5. Trackus

    Trackus New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Hillsboro, OR
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Huh?? There's a lot I don't yet know about the Prius. What's the concern/issue with parking it for a few days? Is there an ongoing battery drain while stationary? This has not been a worry with any of my previous (conventional) cars.
    Mark
     
    #5 Trackus, Dec 27, 2007
  6. alanh

    alanh Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2007
    1,175
    99
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Because the 12v battery on the Prius does not have to crank the engine, it's much smaller than a conventional car's battery. However, this means it can't run accessories as long when the engine is off.

    The SKS system has a small drain as it's constantly scanning for any fobs nearby. Thus, turning off the SKS system (button under the steering wheel) is advised if leaving the car parked for more than a few days. The buttons on the fob will still work. You'll have to reenable the SKS system or put the fob into the slot when you go.

    Other drains, such as interior lights, will run down the battery quickly. This most often happens when the hatch is not fully shut. The easiest way to check for this is to make sure the doors lock successfully.
     
    #6 alanh, Dec 28, 2007
  7. Trackus

    Trackus New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Hillsboro, OR
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    alanh -
    Thank you! The '08 manual says "If you do not intend to drive your vehicle for a long time, push the cancel switch to deactivate" the SKS; it offers no explanation as to the rational for doing so. Thanks for the info -
    Mark
     
    #7 Trackus, Dec 28, 2007
  8. kathyb

    kathyb New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2007
    53
    1
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn, N.Y.
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Thanks for all the responses. I feel better now leaving it although I got a battery charger for Christmas which will be finishing charging tonight.
    Yes it has the air pump and a flash light on it:)
    Can the SKS suck that much juice out of the battery for 10 days?
    I'm not sure I want to disable it.....
     
    #8 kathyb, Dec 28, 2007
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It should be OK, unless it was previously drained (for example by leaving the headlights or dome light on or a door ajar for hours). On the other hand shutting off the SKS is no big deal.
     
    #9 richard schumacher, Dec 28, 2007
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)