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
Once again my Yaris refused to start yesterday. They are coming today to pick it up and keep it overnight. Vantage blame me for not driving it enough, but the previous day I drove miles to make sure it started when I needed it. I got this car because it was supposed to be economical of fuel. But if you have to run the engine when you dont need it, it is the opposite. Bring back the last model.
I have had exactly the same problem on 5 occasions; the 12v 36aH battery is weedy and unfit for purpose.
I’ve had the same problem on my toyota Auris and now seriously considering to get rid of the car as it is too much of a pain!
Do you think this is a specific problem with Toyota cars?
Hi Beatrice, thanks for getting in touch.
We are sorry to hear of your disappointment.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. In some cases, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge. However, 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 contact Customer Relations for further support, they can be found through the following link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Thanks.
I bought my chr in March 2019 but I don’t drive to work because of congestion and no parking at the nhs trust that I work but I make sure I use the car every weekend starting from Friday. This is the second time I am changing the battery and I pay twice now for a new battery everytime this happened. The sales person did not tell me the car has to be driven everyday hence I wouldn’t have bought the car.I am also disappointed about how I was treated the day I start the car and the car wouldn’t start and I called the dealer.I was called back last week and I was offered a goodwill gesture but still not yet satisfied with their customer service at all.
I’m shocked and stunned that after just 2 days of no use my 2023 corolla did not start. I find it hard to believe that the blame can be put on the user, I have used this daily since purchasing it so think its incorrect. Personally I fell the battery is not man enuf for the(not fit for purpose). I’m booked in Thursday at my local workshop and can’t wait to see what they come up with.
Can you send a update please .
Hi its me again,I see the reply from toyota is still the same,I know your frustrated, run engine one hour a week ,get charger,use more,ect. Toyota seem not to be doing anything, or admitting there is a problem. If I had known issue I may of decided not to purchase due to concern if car needed in an emergency. Not really green if you have to run car for an hour or drive it to charge even if you have nowhere to go. Come on toyota help us out,and also admit there is an issue.thankyou
I have owned a 2020 C_HR for about two years. Previously I have owned one hybrid Yaris, several Prius’ and an Auris. Never had a flat 12v battery and many were left at airports whilst on holiday. Last week the car would not start and following a call to Toyota Roadside Assistance, the AA arrived and tested the battery. The result was a voltage of 3.8v. The previous seven days amounted to approximately 800 miles, so not due to lack of use. The AA jump started the car, my main dealer had the car and tested the battery to find it required changing. This battery is three years old on a car that has covered 32,000 miles. The dealer changed the battery under warranty at no charge to myself. Having driven Toyota hybrids for many years because they are so reliable, indeed apart from tyres and servicing never spent any money on them, they have been absolutely faultless. So, what has changed with the 12v battery. I was pleased with the services of both the AA and main dealer, but doesn’t this suggest something has changed with respect to the fitted 12v batteries now used by Toyota?
This issue has happened to me twice in the 3 yearsIve owned my CH-R. The first time was when the car was left for two weeks when I had Covid (not well enough to drive and at a time when 10 days isolation was required). Fair enough I could see this was exceptional especially when the car was not being driven as much due to Covid. But since then the car gets driven daily with some long drives but usually for at least 1 hour a day. This weekend I didn’t drive it. Birthday weekend and husband took me away and I left the car (have done this before too). Car battery dead. AA called and taken to dealership overnight. I know exactly what they will say.
What I take exception to is all this driver blaming. I’m also cross to learn that the12volt battery is not covered under warranty though can find no where where it explicitly says this. My understanding was the warranty is automatically extended beyond its 3 years if the car is serviced by Toyota. It is, but not the battery soIm told. If this issue is down to my driving it insufficiently , then why was the poor health of the battery not flagged up at its recent service? It wasn’t. So why is my usage being cited as the fault now? Apparently the battery is not covered as it’s considered a “wear and tear” item. Umm. Thought you were saying it was under usage not over usage? We are left with the impression that Toyota will look for every excuse possible to not admit that there is a clear design fault with this car. Asking us to buy trickle chargers is not really fair. If this is what CH-R need when you go away on a holiday then they should be supplied with the car at purchase.
I await my call from the garage. They were extremely critical of my AA engineer and accused the AA of deliberately saying the battery was dead in order for me to purchase a new one from the AA. I thought that was extremely unprofessional. In fact my AA mechanic encouraged me to go to Toyota believing, quite reasonably, that the battery would be covered under warranty. Poor service on all levels.
Have Oct 2019 Rav 4 hybride, park up for 45 mins, had put windows down, but would not start on return. Passed from Piller to post but no solution from Toyota other than needs new batt,
Got local garage to come out but do not know yet solution.
Why did Toyota fail to tell me about problems that can occur.
When I spoke to Toyota whilst at side of road they said getting alot of these problems, can I sue them. No instruction book,
Hi David, we are sorry to hear you are experiencing these issues.
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. Therefore, we would recommend making frequent, longer journeys. Additionally, the use of a solar powered intelligent charger or a trickle charger can be used when your vehicle is left unattended for longer periods of time. This will help to maintain the battery’s health in the future.
However, we understand your frustration and are sorry you feel this way. If you would like to discuss the situation further with us, please contact our Customer Relations team. They can be found through the following link: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
I bought a CHR 2019 it is 4 years old 8,000 miles.
I have had no end of problems with a flat battery. The AA have come to my rescue so many times in 4 years. I am so fed up and depressed with this car. I have owned Toyota’s all my life and never had a problem. I bought the hybrid on recommendations and told about efficiency. You spend more on petrol running it too charge the battery up.
When I bought the car I was not told anything about driving the car to charge the battery up.
I think the sales people only want to sell cars and get their commission. This is why the car is getting a bad name.
You feel like a child when you keep getting told from Toyota you must drive / use the car more. They don’t pay my petrol. It nonsense.
What will happen when you go on holiday?
Hi Paul, thanks for reaching out.
We are sorry to hear you are experiencing this.
The 12 volt battery in our hybrids are smaller than most as they are only needed to run small systems in the car. We understand making more frequent, longer journeys to avoid battery issues may not be preferable to you. Therefore, you may want to purchase a trickle charger or solar powered intelligent charger.
If you would like any more specific advice regarding your vehicle, we would recommend re-contacting your nearest dealer. Furthermore, our customer relations team would be more than happy to help and can be found through the following link: https://fal.cn/3zLqW
Thanks.
Hello,
I’m not sure if the above reply is for myself as you say Hi Paul?
Hi Sylvia, apologises for the confusion.
This response was intended for you and had been mis-addressed.
Thanks.
We bought a Toyota Yaris hybrid 2021 three weeks ago (second hand 2 years old). Thrice the battery went flat! first time when we were on holiday for ten days, second time when it wasnt driven for four days and third time when it wasnt driven for two days. We sent the car to Toyota service centre in Brighton and they claim that they have tested the battery and there is nothing wrong with it, They are offered to charge it fully before they give it back to us tomorrow. How is such performance by the battery acceptable to Toyota. If a car cannot be driven its useless to the customer, for god’s sake! If the battery is fine then there must be something wrong elsewhere,,,like not charging well enough when driven etc. Thinking of selling the bloody car now. Utterly disappointed!
Hi Hussain, thanks for your message.
We are sorry to hear about this experience 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, infrequent usage and short journeys can mean that the 12 volt battery doesn’t fully charge. Therefore, if you were to make more frequent, longer journeys, these shouldn’t be an issue.
Alternatively, we would recommend the use of a trickle charger or solar powered intelligent charger to help maintain the charge in the battery when the vehicle is not being driven.
Once again, we apologise for this situation. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team here: https://fal.cn/3A0zc
Thanks.
Where can you buy the solar charger with the OBD II plug for CHR 2019?
The ones advertised are not suitable (AA solar power EOBD) The Ring RSP240 doesn’t have a OBDII plug.
Thank you.
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for your question.
The Parts Department at your nearest Toyota Centre would be best placed to assist you further with this.
Thanks.
The OBD 11 plug leads have been discontinued by Ring and consequently by Toyota. So unless you have a parts department that can magic them out of thin air…..
I’m so glad I came across this thread.
I was thinking of updating my Yaris to a new hybrid automatic but after reading all the comments about battery issues, I won’t bother. I do use the car daily for my commute to work which isn’t far (15 mins each way) but that’s probably not enough to charge the battery and it would die out. Not ideal for a woman on her own to be stranded. It’s funny how they don’t tell you this at the dealers.
It looks like I will have to update to a newer model Yaris petrol manual.
Toyota needs to seriously look at this issue or else their sales are going to go down.