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
Brought a brand new Corolla Sport Hybrid in December 2023 and yesterday spent three hours waiting for the AA as battery flat! Once car was restarted was advised by AA to take it straight to Dealer as the 12v battery failed their test. It then failed the first test at the Dealership so they kept it overnight for the eight hour test which it passed so Toyota would not replace the battery. Have lost all faith in the car starting which is a ridiculous state of affairs for a two month old car! This is our third hybrid and have not had a problem with the other cars although we are only light users. My feeling is that Toyota have started using inferior 12v batteries otherwise our previous hybrids would have had the same problem. Toyota need to sort themselves out otherwise they are not going to be selling many cars!
Similar story with our Toyota Yaris Cross which we bought last year. We don’t use it as much because everything we need is accessible on foot in the town where we live. My husband is the main driver. Last week after finding the car wouldn’t start we called the AA man out who attached his jump leads to his vehicle and told us to go out for a longish drive, which of course we did. Our car had been sitting in the car park for just over a week and that is all. When we go on holiday for 2 weeks next month we will find that the 12 volt battery will need charging on our return! Toyota have been informed and no offer of an upgraded battery was forth coming. The suggestion was to buy a battery charger from Amazon for roughly £100! I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous in my life!
I have a 2021 Yaris Dynamic and in the 3 years since having it (from new) I’ve had to jump start it about 12 times. Battery goes from 12V/14V down to 9.1 volts in just 3 days after a 30 mile journey. Battery has enough power to unlock doors but I get a message saying ‘Low Brake Pressure’ and the brake pedal vibrates… Not good Toyota!!! – my old Ford Cortina was more reliable.
Toyota is down blatantly selling cars knowing they have a battery problem. By not telling customers about this they are knowingly miss-representing the product. That means they legal obliged to compensate all recent customers.
Off course they won’t admit to that but it’s a fact. Everyone on here needs to tell their dealer and state the case. There is an ombudsman who represents the motor industry and you can notify them. I’ve had my Yaris two months. The AA have been to the house twice and they told me it’s a Toyota Yaris problem. There are thousands of Yaris owners with the same problem it’s inherent to the car. Mines back at the dealer on Friday I will update you on what they have to say ……..
Oh dear! Thinking very seriously of buying the new Lexuse LBX Hybrid – or at least I WAS thinking ….
I too (at 81) use my car very infrequently. Seems to me it would be a big mistake to buy either the Lexus or the Yaris Cross? Oh, also 6 weeks at Heathrow???
Good evening,I really like my yaris cross but am worried if left for more than five days in an emergency it will not start. No car Should have this issue,its meant to be better for the environment, driving for the sake of it is rubbish. If you only drive short journeys or very little think about this issue first. Maybe ask dealer and see what they say? You say car will be parked for six weeks? Past experience says it won’t start.
We are also very disappointed that our Yaris Hybrid
We bought new July 22 is now not starting if left a few days without driving. For the first 12 months no problems, this is a runaround a 2nd car for my wife and as we are retired we do go away for a few weeks and has been left without problems until recently on two occasions we had a flat battery. Toyota never mentioned when we purchased the car new there could be an issue if not used regularly…The AA were called out on both occasions and checked the battery which wasn’t taking a full charge and needs replacing
Toyota just recharged the battery saying it was ok and on their advice have now had to buy a booster pack and trickle charger or leave running for an hour a week, when on holiday! ridiculous …. When on the charger it states a Weak battery….. Toyota don’t want to know …. We have a car we don’t trust to start … Going Hybrid was a big mistake …..We will have to wait until until the finance is finished then replace it with a petrol one.
So much for doing your bit for the environment when you have to leave it running stationary for an hour a week …. Best of luck if you’re thinking of getting a Toyota Hybrid…..my advise … DONT
Similar story, bought a Toyota Yaris Cross Demonstration car in late October with 500 miles on the clock. At no time was I told if I didn’t run it regularly it wouldn’t start because of a flat battery. I am a light user, so during a long period of heavy rain, I didn’t use the car. Only 10 days after purchase I had to call the AA for a flat battery. 5 days later, yet another flat battery. Toyota tested and charged the battery and said it was my fault for not using it enough. Now with 850 miles on the clock, I have just returned from a 5 day holiday to yet another flat battery. I have been told by the AA that the next time I call them I WILL BE CHARGED.
In July 2023 I bought a 2021 used Yaris hybrid from Toyota dealers. After holiday in garage, car refused to start in October, jump start by AA. After 3 week holiday in garage February 24, car started normally, but 4 days later no start again. Called AA who jump started it and said this is a well-known fault on Toyota hybrids and the battery was faulty and I should have it replaced by Toyota as the car was still under warranty. Went back to Toyota dealers for an 8 hour overnight recharge and check-over. Verdict: battery perfectly fit, but for the future I should buy a trickle charger and a solar charger charger at £40+ and £150. I owned an Auris over 15 years and no problems. I am now considering going back to petrol but not Toyota!
Hi Stephen, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with your Yaris Hybrid. Your local Toyota Centre are best placed to investigate this and advise further.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
I have just had the same problem brought a new a Toyota Yaris Hybrid Excel in August 2023 only done 696 miles and had to call out the RAC when it wouldn’t start saying Breaking Power Low because of a flat battery which they started with a boaster and told to let it run for 40 mins very disappointed as my old Nissan Almira had the same battery on for 12 years no problem you would think Toyota would have got it right by now in this age?
Hi Alan, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with your Yaris Hybrid. Your local Toyota Centre are best placed to investigate this and advise further.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Completely inadequate response. Toyota need to grip this before it escalates to become ‘batterygate’ and a class action. They are disrespecting one of their core customer groups namely low mileage private owners.
Took my Yaris to the dealer because of this issue….. nothing solved. Toyota UK is just passing the buck to the franchises. Toyota!!!!…. fix the problem and get a better quality battery that will hold the charge like a 1970’s car.
Bought a Yaris Cross new in September 2022. Have had battery issues on a number of occasions requiring AA call out. Do about 5,000 miles per year using car perhaps 4-5 days most weeks. Local Toyota dealer has said if left for a couple of days then the battery will be flat. The advice from the Dealership is to put car in Ready Mode, get a portable power starter pack and a trickle charger. Before we bought the car we were assured that it would be ok to leave it while away on holiday for a week or two so, to be told now that the battery can go flat after a couple of days is disappointing, and had we known about this unreliability issue would not have bought the car. Given that the Dealership has said this matter came to light during Covid it should be highlighted to prospective purchasers and action taken to put it right such as paying for call out and the starter packs and trickle charger.
Hi Simon, thanks for your comment.
We’re sorry to hear this. If you are still experiencing issues with your Yaris Cross despite the use of a trickle charger, please get back in touch with your local Toyota Centre to discuss altenrative soltuions.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Why keep on saying ‘take it to the dealer’? We do and nothing gets resolved. Cheap poor quality 12V batteries not suitable for purpose.
Hi Robert, thanks for your comment.
We are unable to diagnose issues or provide technical advice without seeing the vehicle in person, this is why in most cases it is recommended for your local Toyota Centre to investigate.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
What model ‘solar trickle charger’ does Toyota recommend for use with a Corolla Hybrid?
Hi Lorna, thanks for your comment.
There are many option on the market, but we tend to offer the Ring Automotive options and these can be purchased through your local Toyota Centre.
GBNGA-RNG01 is the part number for the 1.5W 12V Solar Charger – Up to 50Ah.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
I have an 18 month old Yaris Cross Excel which is used about 3 times a week for journeys to hospital, local shops and golf club about 10 miles away. Twice recently it wouldn’t start and the AA jump started it once and on the second occasion (today) checked the battery which failed the test. After being jump started again I now have had to take it for an overnight test by Toyota but l am extremely worried as l need a reliable car to transport my husband to the doctors and hospital. It stands on the driveway with my husband’s Yaris hybrid which we purchased two weeks ago which will possibly have the same problem.
We have each had many, many Toyotas over the years ( we are both 80) with no problems ever. Not even a light bulb being replaced. I really feel that my car is not fit for purpose and am concerned that l will have to purchase something to keep it charged. Surely this is not acceptable for a new car.
Hi Vivienne,
We are very sorry for the issue you’ve had with the 12V battery in your Yaris Cross. We completely understand how frustrating this is for you.
Please note that all modern cars will have some degree of a discharge. If the car is not used very much then the battery will discharge over time but also when it is driven if it is not driven for long enough, it cannot recover the battery back to the maximum capacity.
In fact, short journeys can be worse as the electrical power consumed to actually start the car may not be replenished if the engine does not run for long enough so the battery’s capacity will drop slightly.
If this is repeated over a number of days the battery will eventually discharge.
However, if you feel that there is an issue with your battery, it will need to be inspected by an official Toyota Centre in order to replace the battery under warranty if it is found to have a manufacturing defect the battery.
We hope this helps.
Thanks.
Thank you for your prompt reply. However l am concerned that l wasn’t informed when l purchased my Yaris Cross that it had this known problem. I do not drive miles and miles and for me this car is not fit for purpose. I have had many petrol Toyota cars and never ever had to call for help with a breakdown. I am now considering changing back to a petrol driven car. Why haven’t Toyota acknowledged the problem and provided a solution for all the hybrid cars. I am now concerned if l leave my car for two weeks holiday it will not start on my return. Nightmare scenario.
Hi Vivienne,
We can only apologise that this is not something you were made aware of.
A trickle charger or solar panel charger are good options to keep the battery fully charged while the vehicle is stationary for a period of time.
However, if you wish to escalate this complaint further, we would suggest getting in touch with the Centre Principal at your Toyota Centre.
Once again, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.
Please let us know if there is anything else that we can assist you with.
Thanks.
Having been advised by your recent reply l have purchased a solar panel battery charger (AA 2.4W) which needs connecting to the EOBD socket. Is this the correct thing to do? After reading a few comments about using the EOBD connection saying it could invalidate my warranty l am concerned that this a fact.
P.S. I have yet to locate said connection and does it charge the 12 volt battery safely?
Hi Vivienne, thanks for your comment.
Please could you confirm your vehicle registration number.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
As requested my registration number is: NU72 ***.
Kind regards Vivienne Coulthard
Hi Vivienne, thanks for that.
We can confirm that this is fine to use in your Yaris Cross, it is listed as one of our approved accessories. The EOBD port is accessed via the drivers side, underneath the dashboard close to A-pillar.
Thanks,
Toyota UK
Glad I found this. I’m looking to replace my 5 year old reliable Suzuki Swift and the new Yaris seemed perfect. None of the online reviews mentioned this issue. So I was somewhat surprised to discover the issue on this forum (I found this page in a discussion thread between a Renault Clio Hybrid owner and a Yaris owner – (the Renault Clio does not have this issue))
As an engineer, this is an obvious design issue. Either the 12 volt battery is too small for purpose, or the car’s systems are drawing too much current when the car is parked and off (I’d love to know which systems have to be ‘on’ in a parked car…)
Having a car that will not start after 3 days of inactivity is not normal, despite what Toyota might say.
I’m a little disappointed as I was looking forward to a Yaris as it ticks every other box. I will now have to look for a different alternative. They just lost a customer.
Have been looking to replace my Seat… the Yaris Cross Premiere seemed to tick all the boxes or even the Lexus LBX – I was/am ready to splash the cash, but who would buy a new car with such a basic and inconvenient issue with the 12v battery. I was waiting to see if Toyota had at least upgraded the batteries on the new 130 variants of the engine, but the early shipments seem to have the same battery (confirmed by Toyota in another blog). So another lost sale, I’ve ordered a hybrid Kona instead. Good luck.