Some owners of Toyota hybrids might be wondering what will happen to their car during long periods without use, particularly when it comes to the level of charge in the batteries.
The reassuring news is that no difficult car maintenance is necessary. However, there are some tips that, if followed, can help ensure your Toyota remains in tip-top condition during an extended layoff.
To recap, Toyota hybrids generally contain two batteries: a 12-volt battery (which powers systems such as the headlamps and audio) and a high-voltage hybrid system battery (which supplies the power to start the combustion engine and drive the electric motors).
The simplest way to maintain charge in both of these batteries is to simply go through the normal start procedure: press the ‘Start’ button with your foot on the brake and ensure the ‘Ready’ light is illuminated on the dashboard (you don’t have to keep your foot on the brake thereafter, but ensure your vehicle’s transmission is in ‘Park’ and the parking brake is engaged).
We recommend you put the car in ‘Ready’ mode for about 60 minutes before switching it off again, drive for at least 30 minutes and repeat the process at least once a week. Please do not leave your car unattended when it is in ‘Ready’ mode.
During the time that that car is in ‘Ready’ mode, you may hear and feel the internal combustion engine kick in; this is a normal part of the self-charging process. You might be tempted to switch on the radio to pass the time, or turn on other systems, but bear in mind these will consume small amounts of electrical power so it is preferable to leave them off.
Ensure the handbrake is on; there’s no need to go for a drive, although we must stress that this procedure should take place in a well-ventilated area – something to consider if you park your vehicle in a garage.
What if my Toyota isn’t a hybrid?
Our petrol and diesel cars only have a 12-volt battery, which provides the power to start the engine in addition to the other systems mentioned above. Regular start-up of the vehicle on conventional petrol and diesel engines needs approximately 20 minutes of running to put back into the battery what you remove on start up, so to maintain this battery we would suggest 60 minutes of running at least once a week.
Is there anything else I need to do?
Whether you own a hybrid or a Toyota equipped solely with an internal combustion engine, there are a few other easy car maintenance points that can ensure your Toyota hybrid remains healthy and happy during an enforced hibernation. Again, please adhere to the latest government advice regarding social distancing.
- Check the tyre pressures are fully inflated to the recommended level and top-up if necessary. It can be a good idea to repeat this process when you first drive your car after a long period of inactivity.
- Clean the car thoroughly inside and out. If you are storing your car in a garage, make sure the vehicle is completely dry before you put it away.
- If you do plan to store your car in a garage, ensure the chosen storage area offers plenty of ventilation. If the space is secure, you could consider opening one of the car’s windows a small way to ventilate the interior. If you do this, you might have to change your car alarm’s setting to prevent it setting off the intrusion sensor – please consult your car’s manual for more information.
- It can be beneficial to leave the vehicle with the parking brake disengaged to prevent the brakes from binding, but only do this if you are certain the car is on level terrain and isn’t going to move. Ensure the transmission is set to ‘P’ for park and place wedges or chocks, if you have them, under the wheels.
- If you have a 12V battery trickle charger, or a solar panel charger, and are confident using them, then these are a good option to keep the battery fully charged while the vehicle is stationary for a period of time.
- If your vehicle is equipped with smart entry and start but the system isn’t operated for a long time, a battery-saving function will automatically be activated to prevent the electronic key battery and the 12-volt battery from being discharged. Battery depletion in the key is minimised by stopping the electronic key from receiving radio waves. On many models equipped with this system, it is possible to manually put the key into battery-saving mode, so please consult your car’s handbook for more information. If you aren’t planning to drive your car for a long time, consider putting the smart key in a safe place and not carrying it around with you in your pocket. This will prevent the car from ‘waking up’ unnecessarily should you happen to walk near it in your garage or driveway.
- If the vehicle will be kept on private property (such as inside a garage) for the duration of its storage, you could consider applying for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). This informs the DVLA that the car is off the road and you will receive a refund of any remaining full months of tax. However, you won’t be able to drive your car legally until you tax it again, so it is only advisable if you are positive you won’t use your car for a long time. You can read more information about how to SORN your car here.
Read more Toyota GB’s latest statement on the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation
Toyota Yaris 2023 model. I have noticed that the car doesn’t run in battery / electric mode for a long time after the journey starts if it has stood idle for a few days. Is this caused by the 12v battery needing more charge thus preventing the car driving in electric mode untill the 12v battery is fully charged. This never happened on my 2016 model.
Good morning Paul, apologies for the delay in coming back to you.
If you have any concerns with your Toyota Yaris Hybrid, we’d recommend reaching out to your local Toyota Centre to arrange an inspection: https://brnw.ch/21x0cSV
Thank you.
Please give clear tips on how to keep a 12v battery healthy! I also have had the warning message
to say my battery is low. I only drive 8-10 miles each weekday in London traffic, barely reaching 20mph at times! Should I leave in ready mode once a week for 30 mins or an hour? Or is driving for 30 minutes on a motorway better? This feels such an inconvenience! Better advise and info should be given on purchase!!!
Hello Rebecca,
Thank you for your questions. We absolutely understand your frustration and confusion.
Recommendations for maintaining 12V battery health:
1) Frequent use: Where possible, aim to take your car on a 30-minute journey at least once a week. If this is not possible or you plan not to use the car for a prolonged period, use a quality battery maintainer (also called a trickle charger) to keep the charge level topped up. Toyota Centre staff will be able to advise on whether a mains- or solar-powered option is the best for your circumstances.
2) Combine trips: Constant short trips will get your battery down, so try reducing their frequency by combining errands. And if these journeys require a couple of short stops, don’t worry too much. Less battery energy is required to start an already warm engine; and similarly, less energy is required to maintain the climate of an already warm cabin.
3) Avoid wasting energy: Remember that if the powertrain is not active it is not charging the battery. In that case, electrical accessories such as lights, ventilation and the audio system will all nibble away at the level of charge. So make it a habit to switch off these accessories before turning off the engine. Not only will this preserve the charge but it will stop the battery having to power the systems back up at the same time as starting the powertrain.
4) Check the battery’s condition: Regularly inspect your battery for corrosion around the terminals and ensure the cables attached to them are tight and clean. Your local Toyota Centre will check these connections as part of your car’s regular service programme, but will also be happy to offer advice outside of this schedule.
Please bare in mind that the difficulties you have experienced are not unique to Toyota, but are a consequence of increasing electrical systems such as heated seats, within hybrid vehicles.
Many thanks,
Toyota UK
I am looking to purchase a 2022 Hybrid Yaris with 4000 miles,,will this low mileage be detrimental to the batteries?
This been first Hybrid car having run Toyota for 20odd yrs.
Good morning Mr Dransfield,
Many thanks for your comment. Vehicles purchased from our Toyota centres have been undergone a thorough technical inspection prior to handover, battery health is part of that technical inspection to ensure that the vehicle being purchased is in the best condition that it can be.
If you have any queries regarding a specific vehicle please contact your local Toyota centre and they will be happy to provide more details.
Please find your local Toyota centre here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/
Many thanks,
Toyota UK
Hi Toyota,
I have received your reply about our hybrid car’s battery problem. And you have sent this link to me. Thank you. Because it actually proves that there is a battery problem on your hybrid cars as stated here from your other customers and you behave like nothing happened. You advice us what to do, we already do all your suggestions like solar/ charger/ run the car/ sit in it etc. Nothing helps. And it did not help in the last 5 years, since we purchased the car, god knows how many times the car did not start and we called AA.
How sad we are left by Toyota
Hi Alan,
Thank you for your comments. We absolutely understand your frustration and disappointment.
To provide some detailed guidance:
Recommendations for maintaining 12V battery health:
1) Frequent use: Where possible, aim to take your car on a 30-minute journey at least once a week. If this is not possible or you plan not to use the car for a prolonged period, use a quality battery maintainer (also called a trickle charger) to keep the charge level topped up. Toyota Centre staff will be able to advise on whether a mains- or solar-powered option is the best for your circumstances.
2) Combine trips: Constant short trips will get your battery down, so try reducing their frequency by combining errands. And if these journeys require a couple of short stops, don’t worry too much. Less battery energy is required to start an already warm engine; and similarly, less energy is required to maintain the climate of an already warm cabin.
3) Avoid wasting energy: Remember that if the powertrain is not active it is not charging the battery. In that case, electrical accessories such as lights, ventilation and the audio system will all nibble away at the level of charge. So make it a habit to switch off these accessories before turning off the engine. Not only will this preserve the charge but it will stop the battery having to power the systems back up at the same time as starting the powertrain.
4) Check the battery’s condition: Regularly inspect your battery for corrosion around the terminals and ensure the cables attached to them are tight and clean. Your local Toyota Centre will check these connections as part of your car’s regular service programme, but will also be happy to offer advice outside of this schedule.
Please bare in mind that the difficulties you have experienced are not unique to Toyota, but are a consequence of increasing electrical systems such as heated seats, within hybrid vehicles.
If you are still concerned, please visit your local Toyota dealer, who should be more than happy to assist you by inspecting your battery health.
Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.
Many thanks,
Toyota UK
Why not just acknowledge and address the problem by fitting a suitable battery. I purchased a 24 plate Yaris Cross, drove it home. The next day the battery was insufficient to wake up the car, I had to manually lock the car. On checking the battery and taking a reading the Voltage was 6.7 volts!!!
The dealer did change the battery, however the battery is the same make and model, a Yuasa 35aH CCA264.
I suppose time will tell
Dear Toyota you are in denial about the extent of the problem you have with your batteries, had I been aware of these issues at the time of purchase I would have bought another Mazda which is infinitely more reliable
Disappointed customer.
Good morning,
We’re sorry to hear you feel that way.
If you’re experiencing any problems with your Toyota, please get in touch with your local Toyota Centre to arrange an inspection.
Details of your closest Toyota Centre can be found here: https://brnw.ch/21x0p9L
Thank you.
Wouldn’t it be better if you acknowledged and addressed the issue rather than keep coming up with ‘solutions’. There is clearly an issue with the size of the battery, that is why people are going down the route of having larger batteries fitted themselves.
I purchaced a 24 plate Yaris Cross, and after driving it home from the dealer found that the car wouldn’t wake up the following day, and measuring the battery found it had 6.7volts
Morning Mark,
We’re sorry you experienced a problem so soon after taking delivery of your new Yaris Cross Hybrid. If you experience any further problems with the new battery in your car, please get back in touch with your local Toyota Centre.
For information, from November 2024, Yaris Hybrid and Yaris Cross Hybrid are fitted with the enhanced 12v battery.
Thank you.
I’ve just purchased a Toyota Yaris and am now becoming aware of the 12v battery issue. I have to leave my car at home soon, for 12 days and the garage have told me it will very likely have a dead battery when I return home. Can I charge a dead better with a jump starter (not another car)? If so, can this be done from the charging point under the bonnet or does it involve removing the rear seats to access the terminals?
If I’d been informed of this issue prior to purchase, I would have bought a different make of car. Not happy about the salesman omitting this information.
Good morning Helen,
Thank you for getting in touch to share your concerns. All modern cars drain the 12v battery when they are switched off. This is due to the onboard electrical systems. If the 12v battery is not given a chance to recharge often enough, it can go flat. Read more here and pick up some tips that, if followed, can help ensure your Toyota remains in tip-top condition: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/12v-battery-care/
If you would like your car to be inspected or for further technical advice, please get in touch with your local Toyota Centre.
Thank you.
We’ve had exactly this problem with a 2024 Yaris Cross AND a 2024 Lexus NX – we have two cars that just cannot be relied on to start. We just came back from a 5 day holiday having left the car at the airport, we had to use the £90 jump starter pack to get it going. It’s actually unbelievable that Toyota / Lexus are advising running the car in “ready mode” for 30 mins – how does that fit with their sustainable planet approach? How can we do that remotely? Can you imagine the combined Co2 emissions of all these vehicles sitting pointlessly running on our drives? Never mind the cost to us in unnecessary fuel usage. We’ve been invested in Toyota and Lexus for 15 years and spent a small fortune with them. These will be the last ones we buy – they are treating us like fools – £85K’s worth of junk that won’t start after a few days is a huge retrograde step in motoring – never mind the insulting advice to buy a trickle charger, perhaps they should supply a cranking handle with new cars to take us back to the good old days of motoring when starting the car was a physical trial. I cannot express how disappointed, disillusioned and frustrated I am with the cars on my drive – I’m not at all sure how this situation fits Toyota’s “always a better way” and Lexus’s “experience amazing” – I don’t see those resonating when I have the bonnet up attaching a jumper pack in the rain.
Hi Mike,
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by your 12-volt battery, and are attentive to the issues you have highlighted.
To provide some reassurance, the increasing number of electrical features in modern cars can put a strain on hybrid batteries. This is not unique to Toyota vehicles.
We would recommend visiting your local Toyota dealer, who should be able to assist you and provide a complimentary battery health check: https://www.toyota.co.uk/
If you are concerned about maintaining the health of your battery, please refer to this article: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/12v-battery-care/
Please let us know if you have any further questions. We will be more than happy to assist.
We apologise again for the distress caused.
Many thanks,
Toyota UK
Dear Toyota,
I am as many before me are another disappointed customer having been a loyal customer for many years. My latest car is a Yaris and I have never been so disappointed. Having found it was losing charge regularly I started making sure i religiously drove it on a long trip once a week to charge it. However I missed a week and sure enough it was flat again. I jump started it and drove for 30 minutes to visit a friend and then unfortunately it was flat again. Jump started again and charged it back up and also gave it an hours drive the following day. Not 4 days later totally dead again. What is the point of having a car that is impossible to use. Don’t bother replying with the same rubbish you are telling everyone else about trickle battery etc, you should be resolving this as a responsible manufacturer and not fobbing your customers off. The government want people to be environmentally friendly and use cars less yet you are telling us we should use them more or the cars won’t work, something isn’t right.
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for your question. We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with your Toyota experience.
For technical queries, we would recommend visiting your local Toyota dealer, who should be able to assist you and provide a battery health check: https://www.toyota.co.uk/
If you are concerned about maintaining the health of your battery, please refer to this article: https://mag.toyota.co.uk/12v-battery-care/
Please let us know if you have any further questions. We will be more than happy to assist.
Many thanks,
Toyota UK