how often to start/drive

Once a month driven for an hour or so should be enough to keep everything healthy, assuming the driver is responsible and doesn't get hit/hit anything. Note that it does take quite a while to recharge the 12V battery while driving. Even my 1 hr recommendation isn't usually considered enough. Do make sure all interior lights are off (ones such as the hatch light can be switched to "always on" and may not be noticed in daylight). Also make sure the caretaker gets familiar with the doors and hatch, so they close them fully.

Another option, if you or the caretaker don't want to risk driving the car, is just to open the garage door and turn the car "fully on" (ready light comes on). In this state the car will recharge both batteries fully (or at least to what it considers nominal charge), and you don't -have- to drive it. Again, it will take at least an hour to fully charge up a discharged 12V battery. The traction battery will be fine after 5-10 minutes. The engine will only run long enough to warm up the cat., then when the traction battery needs charging it will start and charge it. The 12V charges from the energy in the traction battery.

I recommend the second option for someone unfamiliar with the car. All they need to know is how to illuminate the "ready" lamp and how to shut it off when done.

Many will warn you to turn off SKS, but this is NOT necessary. The SKS system will go off on its' own after a few days of non-use. But if it makes you feel good, go ahead and press the button!

 

This is the first time I have ever heard this and it does not agree with my experience. Is this true?

 

The manual doesn't say this and recommends to shut down SKS if the car is parked for more than 2 Weeks...

 

This is NOT TRUE. At least it is not true for either my 2006 Standard or my wife's 2007 Touring. We went on vacation to Hawaii for 13 days and when we came home both the SKS systems worked normally and opened the doors for us with a pull of the handle.

Personally, I would not recommend leaving the car sit in "Ready" mode for an hour either. If you do the HV battery will run down until it shows purple and then the engine will only run long enought to re-charge to a single blue bar before the engine turns off again. This would leave the HV battery sitting in a low charge state for the next week until the next running. I would feel better taking the car for a short 15-20 minute trip once a week or a longer 30-45 minute drive every 10-14 days.

That's just my experience and my $0.02 though. You can do as you like.

Happy driving,
Chris

 

Another option, preferred by some, is to put a trickle charger (battery minder) on the 12-v battery. It's rather overkill to drive the car just to top off the little battery, and the big traction battery will hold its charge for a long time.

 

Allright folks, time to RTFM!

From page 33 of the North American owners manual (mine is a 2007):
heading "Battery Power Saving"
"To prevent the batteries from being discharged, the smart function is automatically deactivated in the following conditions:
- If there is no response from the key for more than 14 days
- If the key is left within the effective range of the smart function outside of the vehicle for more than 10 minutes

To reactivate the smart function, perform any of the following:
a) Press the lock button on the outside front door handle or back door while carrying the smart key.
b) Perform a wireless remote control operation.
c) Insert and turn the mechanical key in the keyhole of the driver's door."

It's cases like this that make me wonder about the "expertise" you find sometimes on forums!

I will however, admit that having been caused to re-read the manual once again, I did relearn a lot of good stuff, and I once again found the answers for -AT LEAST- 50 questions I have read in the last 3 weeks on this forum!

For example, store the key at least 16' from the car when not in use.
There are -three- unlock modes you, the owner, can "program".
etc. etc.

 

Just so I am clear on the math if 2 weeks = "a few days" what exactly is a few weeks?

Is this acceptable?

"a few weeks" = 8-12 months?
"a few years" = 1-2 decades?

Just trying to figure the math, eh.

Happy driving,
Chris

 

why not take the car north with you?

or do you mean NORTH POLE?

I would put the 12v bat in the rear on a trickle charge at say 2amp, most any decent electronic battery charger now will have options for different states of charge. Black and Decker makes a nice 12v bat charger that is inexpensive.

the traction like above post said, should be ok..5 months is a while though. The care taker could take it out a few times during that 5 months and it should be ok on top of trickle charge for the 12v bat.

also don't forget to put stable in the gas tank

 

I would go with the Battery Tender for $39. It even comes with a permanent pigtail connector so it's easy to connect and disconnect the small charger/tender from your battery.

Batterytender.com - Home of All Your Charging Needs Battery Tender Jr.

 

Note that the auto shutoff occurs after two weeks. If you want to turn it off and stop the battery drain immediately, use the button.

 

We left our Prius for 6 weeks with no issues. The 12v battery was on a trickle charger (an "Optimate) and the smart key was turned off (easy as pushing a button). The traction battery showed no sign of discharge when we returned.

Is it true that the 12v is recharged by the traction battery? I hadn't heard this before.

 

Yes, yes, I have one, works good