As the UK government has instructed the nation to stay at home and only venture out for specific, essential reasons in light of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation, many of us are being encouraged to park our cars if we can. 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 and repeat the process at least once a week, providing you can carry out this procedure while adhering to the government’s advice regarding social distancing and Coronavirus (Covid-19). 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
Hi,
What would be the voltage expected from the 12V battery of a C-HR Launch Edition?
Let’s say after a normal day, 20-30km, and parked overnight.
Context: most days I found it between 11.9 to 12.1V as measured on cigarette lighter socket shortly after starting the engine. After a couple of minutes with engine running it gets to 12.4 and it stays around there through the day.
Couple of week ago, after having the car parked for an entire week, I had to call for a jumpstart.
And I wonder if 12V battery of a 20 months old car is not getting old too fast.
Hi there,
We would recommend taking your vehicle to your nearest Toyota Centre.
They will be able to physically access your vehicle and diagnose any problems.
Thanks.
That’s normal. In winter it stays at about 12.3 V even I drove regularly 1 h per day. If you never have problem starting the car. Leave it alone unless you are still under 3y warranty.
auris T spirit 1.8. 2011
If the 12v battery goes flat how can I get to it since the boot latch won’t operate. is there a way of opening the boot lid mechanically?
I am planning to fit safely a lead from the battery to somewhere inside so as to connect a slow rate charger without opening the boot. any comments?
Hi Terry,
Please provide the vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
I have an Auris Touring Sports hybrid. I get the flat 12V battery problem if it isn’t driven for a couple of weeks.
You can open the driver’s door with the metal key. Then you unlock the rear passenger door from inside, lower the rear seat, climb through inside and prise off a plastic cover panel at the centre of the tailgate door. Inside is a metal blade that can be pushed down with a screwdriver, which unlatches the tailgate door.
I can’t park near to a socket to do what you’re doing, so I have to go through this rigmarole every time I have to take out the 12V battery to charge it indoors.
I can’t say if what I do is feasible with a hatchback.
There is a contact in the fuse box in the engine compartment where you can attach a charger to get the car started (I learned this the hard way by calling an AA patrol to get me started.) I don’t know if this connection can actually be used to charge the 12V battery, but if you can use this, it gets the electrics up and running so you could then unlock the rear door.
We always turn to attaching directly to the battery to charge it, but several cars I have had have advised connection via some other contact, much like this one in the Auris. One of those RTFM things. 😉
Hi,
Is there somewhere on the instrument panel/display to monitor the 12v auxiliary battery on my Auris Hybrid? The Aux batt alarm came on the other day threatening to shut systems down, ok after a charge but I could not find any display to show 12v batt condition.
Hi Stephen,
Please provide the registration of your Auris so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
How can I switch off my lights, whilst leaving my car parked for charging for an hour at my front door?
Hi David,
Please do not leave your car unattended when it is in ‘Ready’ mode.
Thanks.
Toyota Battery Charger Lead Connection for Prius Plug-In
I had a Toyota Prius 2009 Spirit and could see where the battery charger terminals should be placed to trickle charge the 12 V battery because my car can be left for a period of time during lock-downs and I had to call out the AA last time. But I have just bought a 2020 Toyota Prius Plug-In where the 12-volt battery in the engine compartment looks quite different and doesn’t have the same terminals – i.e. red little box lid for positive lead and as easy connection to chassis for the negative lead.. Can anyone provide me with photos to see how you connect the charger because it is not the same as the T-Spirit and I cannot easily see where the positive lead goes or the negative lead can be connected to the chassis? Thanks, Graham
(1) I have a 2019 Toyota WN19 XVD. My user guide is copywrited 2016. How do I purchase a new guide? The 2019 Toyota was dramatically changed.
(2) How do I obtain a new electronic key? The battery is depleted. How much does it cost?
(3) A day or two after it rains when I open my trunk, water runs down on either side of the trunk door from the insulation which is in the shape of a tube. Why is water being retained in the trunk door instead of draining away? There is enough water so that it splashes on me and into the trunk. I showed my pictures of the water phenomena to service personnel and they looked at me like I was crazy.
(4) I am trying to determine how much air pressure is required for my tyres front and rear. The information on the door frame and in the guide is unclear.
(5) The vinyl strip attached to both sides on top of the roof of my Toyota has partially detached. One was actually peeling up. The other side was loose. Initially, refused, one side was first glued down. It loosened again and finally Toyota changed the vinyl strip. Toyota service initially said it was not under warranty.
Hi Arthur,
Thanks for your comment.
1) You can view your Owner’s Manual online here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/tme#/my-toyota/eManual
2) Your Toyota Centre would be best placed to advise on this. However, if the battery is depleted it may only need a new battery.
3) If you believe there is a fault with your vehicle, your Toyota Centre will be able to physically inspect it and provide any recommendations.
4) This depends on the size of your tyres, please confirm this and we will be able to assist you further.
Thanks.
Hi,
I own a 2015 Prius V, and I need to put in storage for about 19 months. I won’t be able to have anybody start it periodically etc. What steps do I need to take to make sure it works well when I return? If this is simply a bad idea and I would be better to sell the car, please let me know.
Thank you.
Karl
Hi Karl,
Thanks for your comment.
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.
Thanks.
Hi, I have a 2020 2.0L Toyota Corolla GR Sport and wish to trickle charge the 12v battery. Do I attach the CTEK MXS 5.0 (AGM compatible) charger direct to the battery terminals in the boot, or do I connect positive lead it to the Jump Start Terminal under the fuse box cover under the bonnet and the negative lead to an earth point on the engine? Thanks, Dan
Hi Dan,
Thanks for your comment.
The connection should be to the battery as per the instruction in the charger owner’s manual.
Thanks.
Toyota chr hybrid 2017 dynamic as I have no electric to the garage I’m looking into a solar power trickle charger can I leave the 12v battery in the car and charge it or will it need the lead’s positive + negative taking off and what do I need to look out for for the best solar charger for this job when the 12v battery discharges and your left with a dead car it’s a pain having to charge the battery back in the house the uncertainty of the car letting me down is very frustrating .
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your comment.
The 2.4W 12v solar charger would be suitable for you. However, you would also require the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) socket lead to enable connection.
The unit instructions should be followed. More information can be found at https://www.ringautomotive.com
Thanks.
Hi
Anyone knows what kind of trickle charger I should buy.
My car is Toyota CHR hybrid 2020. I had a problem to leave the car for a week and I cannot start the car, and I called AA so they helped me.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comment.
We would recommend discussing this with your Toyota Centre.
They are best placed to recommend the best trickle charger for your situation.
Please let us know if you have any further questions.
Thanks.
I may well be needing to drive to an airport where the car, a CH-R 2020 edition, will be left secure but not started for about 4 weeks. On the basis the battery is fully charged when I arrive will it start after that time? During a Covid lock down I was locked out due to battery failure when the car had been standing for a week. Even the emergency key would not let me in and the AA came out, called out for me by Toyota, to rectify. As the car may be standing unused for 4 to 5 weeks at an airport car park I don’t want to find myself stranded for my return journey.
Thanks.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your comment.
We would recommend discussing this with your nearest Toyota Centre to see what options are available.
Thanks.
Hi Richard, what did your Toyota dealer recommend?
Just about to buy a C-HR 20 reg . This is very worrying . Would you recommend me cancelling the purchase . I also need to travel abroad at times for four weeks . A car that won’t start Is no use to me
Hi sue
We had a flat battery on our c-hr (18 months old) after lying idle for 2 weeks while on holiday.Toyota checked battery and said it was fine but added it was a fault with hybrids.They recommend disconnecting negative lead from starter battery if car is left unused for more than 10 days.Unfortunately I think you are going to have problems if you leave at airport