How to store a Prius?

1. The 12V battery should be fully charged, then disconnected, prior to storage.

2. Hopefully the traction battery will last for a year without a problem. It would be better if you could get your friend to start the Prius and leave READY for 30 minutes, at least once every two months. The purpose of that is to charge the traction battery. However this would require your friend to reconnect the 12V battery, or else use a battery charger on it 2x per month to keep the 12V battery charged up.

3. You should have the engine oil and filter changed prior to storage, and inflate the tires to maximum cold pressure per the tire sidewalls - typically 44 psi.

 

Sell this Prius, Buy a Prius a year from now.

Or tell your friend to drive it once a week.

 

I agree with JimboPalmer.

Sell the Prius and get a different one when you come back. Letting a traditional vehicle set in storage for a year is not too bad if you prep it right. But with the batteries involved in the Prius, it becomes a whole new ball of wax. The deal breaker would be the "traction battery". If that goes down, it may cause problems when you return from your trip.

That is why Patrick Wong wrote what he did.

Hope this helps with your decision.

Ron (dorunron)