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Heated Garage

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by SDunahugh, Dec 27, 2015.

  1. SDunahugh

    SDunahugh Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hello all, I am new to this forum (although I have came here and read posts many times before, for advice on different things)

    I work in construction and bought a 07 base Prius 3 years ago and have been using it as a "work truck" ever since. Don't laugh you can get a 8' step ladder in the car and still close the hatch. its rated to carry 800lbs, so that is me + 600lbs of tools, and i never need that much stuff. (even loaded down i still get 45ish mpg in the winter and 50ish in the summer) 180,000 on it now and while it does use a very small amount of oil between changes it still runs great (100k on it when i bought it)

    2 weeks ago I bought another 07 I think it is a 2 (key less and back up cam) My plan is Use it as a personal vehicle (sick of unloading tools just to go buy groceries) drive the "older one" till it dies then lay the backseat down on the "new" one and start over.

    I didn't plan on buying a 2nd 07 but the Toyota dealer gave me to good of a deal on it so.....

    anyhow enough about me, on to my question, I have a heated garage, normally i keep it set at 55ish deg. but with the 2nd car in there now and sitting a lot (mostly only driven on weekends) should I up the temp. to help keep the HV battery healthy and if so to what?

    BTW this forum has been very helpful, and i should of said Hi sooner!
    Thanks
    Steve Dunahugh
     
    #1 SDunahugh, Dec 27, 2015
    Cyon Kim likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    welcome! no need to up the temp, it won't harm or help the battery. you may want to keep a battery tender on the 12 volt though. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 27, 2015
    SDunahugh likes this.
  3. SDunahugh

    SDunahugh Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Garage is heated for work purposes there are things out there that don't tolerate Ohio winters well. So It was going to be heated anyhow, it was just a question of what Temp.

    Thanks for the tip on the 12v batt. with it sitting 5days at a time not being driven I think I will stick a charger on it set on trickle charge
     
    #3 SDunahugh, Dec 27, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2015
  4. SDunahugh

    SDunahugh Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2015
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    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    picture of what a 45-50 MPG work truck looks like
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 SDunahugh, Dec 27, 2015
    bisco likes this.
  5. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    #5 WilDavis, Dec 27, 2015
  6. SDunahugh

    SDunahugh Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
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    the installation instructions look a little intimidating
     
    #6 SDunahugh, Dec 27, 2015
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I recall a Honda Owners Manual weighing in on heated vs non-heated garage, in particular for winter where there's snow and salted roads. Their suggestions:

    If you drive infrequently a heated garage is advantageous. If however you're driving frequently, say daily, then unheated is better; a heated garage will tend to melt salty slush, promote more rusting.
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Dec 27, 2015
  8. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Welcome! The Magnetic Gray '07 here also gets used as a truck. Yours could be a package 1. In 2007, package 1 included smart-key and reverse cam. Package 2 adds Vehicle Skid Control.

    This one used to live in a comfy, insulated garage tucked up to the house but since the rural move, it's in a cold, uninsulated and unheated metal building. The only thing I've noticed is that the tires freeze to the slab and it takes a little bit to get them unstuck. The systems of the car seem just fine though, although it's just a few degrees above zero F in there at times.

    This one is also only driven once or twice a week and a healthy aux battery seems to do fine. Once every few months, I might plug in the battery maintainer overnight.
     
    #8 tanglefoot, Dec 27, 2015
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