Will my Toyota hybrid be okay if I don’t drive it?

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.
Toyota hybrid storage
  • 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.
Toyota hybrid storage
  • 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.
Toyota hybrid storage
  • 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

742 comments

  1. I have just ordered a Yaris Premier in Pearl white. I have been reading all of the online debates about the 12 volt battery discharge issue. Do I read correctly that the Premier edition with is remote locking etc has a low 12vdc battery sensor which will shut down the drain and therefore allow the remote unlocking and starting of the Premier? This is my wife’s car and she only does about 3000 miles a year, telling her to regularly either plug into a trickle charger or sit in the car for an hour in ready mode will not be recieved very well!!!

    1. Good afternoon Michael,

      Congratulations and thanks for choosing Toyota.

      If you experience any problems with your new car’s battery, we’d kindly ask that you get in touch with your local Toyota Centre so they can investigate and advise further.

      Thank you.

    2. I have a Yaris cross and the my car was flat on return from holiday – I will share the response from Toyota I am challenging this as charging the car whilst on holiday is impractical, why are customers not advised of this prior to purchase – we should not have to pay Toyota for a fix
      Thank you for reaching out to us via our website’s contact page. I am very sorry for the issue you’ve had with the 12v battery in your vehicle. I completely understand how frustrating this is for you.
      Response to my complaint
      Regular start-up of the vehicle on conventional engines (normal petrol/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 1 hour of running once to twice a week.

      The electricity stored in the 12-volt battery will discharge gradually even when the vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of certain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the 12-volt battery may discharge, and the hybrid system may be unable to start. The 12- volt battery recharges automatically while the hybrid system is operating whilst you are driving the vehicle.

      This information is correct 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 whilst the vehicle is stationary for a period of time.

  2. When purchasing my Yaris cross 24 reg there was no mention of the issue of the battery draining if left unused. I contacted my dealer the day after I bought the car to question if I would have a flat battery if left at airport for 2 weeks and he said it would be ok I am now very worried as my car will be left for more than a week frequently. I enquired about a trickle charger but was told to go to Halfords. Why do Toyota not have them in stock if there is a problem with the 12v battery. How can I get one fitted asap.

    1. Hi Anne, thanks for getting in touch.

      There are plenty of trickle chargers available on the aftermarket. If you’d like to confirm your Toyota Centre we can pass a request over to them for you.

      Thanks,

      Toyota UK

    2. I have the same and the answer is yes it will be flat I’ve just come back off holiday and it was flat – advised by dealer to buy a solar something for over £100 I think not – surely Toyota can find a solution – also would I have bought the car if I knew ?

  3. I am also having problems when I return from holiday, like a previous post I am a low mileage driver and on 3 occasions I have had to call out breakdown to restart my car.I am not at all confident in using a trickle down battery, I’m 80 live alone and find this very frustrating, had I known about this problem I don’t think I would have bought the car, however apart from this one very annoying thing I am pleased with the car overall.

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