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
Regrettably I did not read the comments about the flat battery problem with Toyota Yaris and other hybrids before buying a Yaris a few days ago. After two decades of living for approximately half the year in one country and the other half in another. I soon learned that in order to preserve the battery of my old non-hybrid car, I would simply disconnect it during my period of absence. Indeed, the mechanic who serviced the car installed a large manual circuit breaker near the battery that enabled me to connect or disconnect it from the electrical system by just throwing the switch. When I returned several months later, I would throw the switch, the battery would be reconnected and the car would start immediately and run perfectly. Why could one not adopt the same strategy with the Yaris?
Hi Jasper, thanks for your comment.
Our Technical Team have advised that they are unable to advise modifications that take the vehicle away from standard specification. You may want to consider a battery charger that can support the 12V chassis battery, whilst the vehicle is not in use.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT EASIER ENTRY/HEADROOM
Hi was away for three weeks and did not start my prius hybrid car for that period. Now i am unable to unlock the door with the fob..i have changed the battery on the fob and tried opening it with the key after failing to open it with the fob. How can i solve this problem.
Hi Hasan, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear about this experience.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most, as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge.
If you are concerned about leaving it unattended for a longer period of time, you could consider using a solar powered intelligent charger or a trickle charger.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre for further assistance with this.
Thanks.
Surely if this is the case, why is it not mentioned when one purchases a self charging Toyota Yaris Cross as I did. I think the sales people have a duty of care to forewarn you of any problems and Toyorta should sort out a solution to this problem.
Hi Steve, thanks for your comment.
We understand your frustration and apologise for this situation.
Our Customer Relations Team are best placed to advise you on this. Please contact them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
I agree with you. I am a round town driver and retired. No one mentioned this car is of no use to people who drive less than 7.000 miles per year or at least 20 miles per day.
If you see my post below, I have had my car in the garage for three months out of the twelve months I’ve had it. Plus the brand new curtsy car I had for four weeks failed to start one morning. I was beyond frustrated. You are right not fit for purpose.
Same sitatuoin during the winnter for a Yaris Cross 2022/2023 Version
The 12v dead after not in use for a week only
I buy a car but for keeping it alive i need to start my car every week at least 1 hr ?
Since this seems to be a “common problem” for toyota cars
Do you provide a detial way (video?) to lift up the rear seat and where of the battery or video to show how install the Solar charger ? or in next moden comes with the Solar charger ?
I love Toyota but please consider to improve the problem ?
Think this …..if put my car at airport and go to travel after a week later , the car cant start or i need to bring the jump starter at the times or when plan to travel i need to also plan call prepare AA when get back from trip…
Hi Vincent, thanks for your comment.
We apologise for the inconvenience this situation has caused.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge.
In regards to your comment about the airport, on your drive to the airport, the READY light will have been on and carrying out the necessary charging process on the way. This, combined with regular maintenance by following your service schedule, should mean your car will be okay to leave for a few weeks at a time. However, as you mentioned, if you are concerned about leaving it unattended for a longer period of time, you could consider using a solar powered intelligent charger or a trickle charger.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
The 12 volt auxiliary battery in my 2021 Yaris Excel is not adequate for users like me doing a below average annual mileage. Once the battery has discharged it seems to take ages to recharge. The car has just had the second year service when I was advised the the car is fine apart from the auxiliary battery not being fully charged. The advice to sit with the car in ‘Ready Mode’ for an hour once a week is far from adequate to restore the battery charge. Our other 2018 Yaris non hybrid has never had battery problem even when used in exactly the same way as the hybrid. The new car is excellent in many ways but sadly flawed as I am always concerned about being able to start it. I did not expect to have to sit in modern car for hours in ‘Ready Mode’ or keep having to connect it to a battery charger on a weekly basis.
My car is Yaris Cross 2022
If I want to have Solar Charger for this issue
What slot I can use for ? EOBD, cigarette lighter plug or must be connect directly to the battery?
Hi Vincent, thanks for your question.
Please provide a Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.
Thanks.
Hi. I had a Yaris Cross Over in March 22.
I loved it. But I have a big problem. My car has been in/out Toyota garage over a period of three months trying to fix the problem of not being able to start.
Even the courtesy car after four weeks, I had the same problem.
I am retired and the car is used every day but not for long journeys all the time.
The most mileage in a year I do is about 4,000. Therefore I was NOT advised when buying this car that it was no good at all for low mileage users. Therefore NOT fit for purpose. So TWO cars I have used have this horrendous problem. I am so,so, disappointed with this vehicle. It is not advertised that you need to do at least 7,000 miles per annum.
I have same problem as above owners, but mine only has to stand for a few days before failing. what do I do??
Hi Janet, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear about this and apologise for the inconvenience.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine. In some cases, short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge, which could be the case in your current situation.
We would recommend the use of a trickle charger or solar powered intelligent charger to maintain the battery. This is easily achieved by connecting the charger straight to the 12V battery.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
It seems like this is a bigger problem than Toyota is willing to admit. I am in the same situation of having a Yaris hybrid which failed to start frequently & having called out the AA on several occassions to get the car started. I returned it to Toyota, who tested the battery, then claimed it needed replacement due to a lack of use. I was then charged to replace the battery when the car was not yet two years old. It is completly ridiculas, that so many people should experiene the same fault and for Toyota to consistantly blame the customer & close their eyes to the truth that there clearly seems to be a fault with the battery design which need to be addressed.
Come on Toyota, it’s time for you to take responsibilty and do the right thing.
I was recently away for a 2 week holiday. On my return my 2021 (May) 1.8 CHR car battery was completely flat and I was unable to even unlock/lock the doors without the manual key.
Luckily for me the car was at home and not at an airport car park which could have been problematic.
Is this something that I need to worry about every time I go away?
Will the battery be damaged?
Hi Chris, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused.
If you are leaving your vehicle unattended for a long period of time, we would recommend using a solar powered intelligent charger or a trickle charger. This should help to maintain the battery’s health whilst it is not being driven.
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Is 2 weeks classified as a long period?
I’ve never had an issue leaving a car before and my other car a Dacia started first time.
Hi Christopher,
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. Once the hybrid system is on (as indicated by the READY light), the 12 volt battery will be charged by the high voltage battery, which in turn is powered by the engine.
In some cases, infrequent usage or short journeys doesn’t give the battery enough time to charge. This may be the case in your situation, as the battery hasn’t had a sufficient amount of charging time.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
FRONT TATE TO FACILATE ENTRY
My Toyota Yaris cross is 11months old.
Due to injury I have been unable to drive it for 4 weeks. It is garaged at home. I have followed dealers advice which was to have it on ready twice a week for 20 minutes minimum.
The battery is totally flat the car is unlocked , electronic brake out of action
I have been advised to call AA and get them to start it. Then what are all the settings lost ? Is the car drivable?
Does it need to go to dealer to reset everything? It’s last message before it died was ‘ do not recognise key’
Hi Andrew, thanks for your comment.
If you are leaving your vehicle unattended for a long period of time, we would suggest the use of a trickle charger or a solar powered intelligent charger. This should help to maintain the battery’s health.
We would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre and following the advice they provide.
Thanks.