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Will battery die when on vacation?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Nae, Dec 1, 2014.

  1. Nae

    Nae Junior Member

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    Sorry if this has already been discussed...can't find it. I will be going on extended vacation (14 days) and heard that the battery will die because car is not being used. Called dealership to see what I can do to prevent this from happening...one guy said to disconnect the 12v battery and another guy said don't disconnect the 12v battery just go into car settings and turn off the key system. Wanted a third opinion so, I called Toyota's Customer Experience Center and the wise butt said, "Have someone drive it!". If a Prius owner or a true mechanic (not a phone jockey employed by Toyota who looks up stuff in the owner's manual and regurgitates info) would please tell me what to do to ensure that my car starts when I return from the trip... I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much!
     
    #1 Nae, Dec 1, 2014
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    New car with fresh 12V battery? No problem. Mine has survived numerous 2 to 4 weeks absences without issue.

    Old and weak 12V batteries will be at greater risk. And make sure the key fobs are stashed out of proximity detecting range of the car, i.e. not in a bedroom against a garage wall where the car is parked.
     
    #2 fuzzy1, Dec 1, 2014
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you've never drained it down, as fuzzy says, you'll be fine. if you want to turn off the sks, it should be easy, and won't hurt anything.
     
    #3 bisco, Dec 1, 2014
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    On 3rd gen there's no switch to turn off the smart key scanning system. And I believe it's not needed.

    You might want to invest in a smart charger (4 amp range); they can be hooked up, at the underhood fusebox, and left on indefinitely.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Dec 1, 2014
  5. Nae

    Nae Junior Member

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    Thank you for responding everyone! I feel better about just leaving it now. I will go ahead and turn off the key system...yeah there is no "switch" but I think you can use the little screen and go into "setup", "vehicle", "key system"...and you can select "on" or "off". I am assuming this is where you turn the key system on and off. Right??????
     
    #5 Nae, Dec 1, 2014
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i haven't done it, but believe that is correct. it should be in your 700 page o/m.:cool:
     
    #6 bisco, Dec 1, 2014
  7. Nae

    Nae Junior Member

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    Yep...page 597 of the 2014 manual!!! Thanks again everyone! I'll try to update this thread after vacation...noting if/how the car worked after the 14 day break. Again, many thanks to Fuzzy and Bisco!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
     
    #7 Nae, Dec 1, 2014
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    fuzzy and bisco, i like the sound of that.:p
     
    #8 bisco, Dec 1, 2014
  9. Nae

    Nae Junior Member

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    :) LOL :)
     
    #9 Nae, Dec 1, 2014
  10. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    This.

    But......you should avoid opening and closing the doors a lot or leaving them open for an extended time after you park it for the last time.
    Making sure it is fully charged by using an external charger is pretty much a guarantee that there won't be a problem and leaving a tender type charger connected while gone is an even better guarantee......but not necessary.

    If the battery fails after only 14 days, it was pretty much on the way out anyway.
     
    #10 Easy Rider 2, Dec 2, 2014
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A smart charger is a smart investment, regardless.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Dec 2, 2014
  12. our1vue

    our1vue Member

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    You probably already know this, but with SKS disabled, to start the car you have to touch the key fob to the start button. It took 2 or 3 tries
    before the green start light turned on. I was starting to get worried the sensor in the start button was broken. Might be a good thing to try
    before you leave.
     
    #12 our1vue, Dec 2, 2014
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Nae, could you post a searchable word (preferably something unique) from that section of your owners manual? My Owners Manual (both paper and pdf) is formatted differently. Just wondering if this something or new, or?
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Dec 2, 2014
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