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

leave rear hatch open for long time?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Susan Hadden, Aug 25, 2013.

  1. Susan Hadden

    Susan Hadden New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2013
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Will it drain the battery to leave the rear hatch open for extended time? i.e. for tailgating or camping (2008 Prius)
     
  2. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2005
    15,232
    1,562
    0
    Location:
    off into the sunset
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    For a few hours, no. You can turn off the little light on the left, which will reduce the power drain. You could also leave the car in ready mode, so that the engine starts up as needed to recharge the battery. The mileage will be lousy, obviously, but at least you won't be stuck.
     
  3. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,507
    491
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Once the trunk light is off, why would the car care that the trunk is open?
     
  4. Feri

    Feri Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2011
    761
    144
    0
    Location:
    Maldon Victoria Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I regularly leave the hatch open for extended periods of time, including camping and have no problems as long as the little hatch light is switched off.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,461
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yes, even if the cabin lights are turned off. This is because the body ECU can detect that the hatch is open, assumes that the car will be driven soon, and therefore some vehicle electronics will not enter their standby mode where current consumption is minimized.

    Further, if your car has the Smart system then if the fob is within 15 feet or so of the car, the electronics current consumption will be increased by the fob continuing to communicate with the car, which results in the Smart ECU and body ECU drawing power, and possibly the skid control ECU also powering up in preparation for energizing the brake actuator pump.

    Finally, if your 12V battery is in marginal condition to begin with, it won't take much of a current draw to get the battery to the point where it will not start the car. If you are camping it may not be that easy for you to get help at that point.

    Therefore - if you really need to keep the rear hatch open for an extended period (several days) then I suggest you should disconnect the 12V battery negative cable where it bolts to the body.
     
  6. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    ...believe Feri is on the right track....
    There are now at least 2 camping tents designed to fit on back of open hatch top Prius.
    One is on EBAY (Habitents) and another one is at AutoAnything.com
    Maybe someone who owns can say how they do this, or you could find instruction on-line.

    Like Hybrids? Like Camping? You'll Love The Prius Tent

    [​IMG]
     
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Like Pat says and I would get one of those 12 volt portable jump packs. I'd have one of those no matter what car I used if I was deep in the woods.Would be awful to get a dead battery deep in the woods.
     
    Eclipse1701d likes this.