disconnect prius battery for vacation?

diomenes · 19 Jul 2010, 12:03 pm

going on vacation for three weeks. have a 2009 prius. have heard that I need to disconnect the 12v battery otherwise it will discharge in that time. is this true?

wondering · 19 Jul 2010, 12:06 pm

No. One thing that will help though it to turn off the Smart Key system if your car has it by pressing the little button under the steering column. It is located next to a similar button that is for resetting the TPMS when you adjust the tire pressures. Check to make sure the SKS is actually off by locking the door then walking 30' away from the car for a minute then walk back up and try the driver's door handle, if it beeps and opens SKS is still on if it doesn't open SKS is off and the car is ready for short term storage.

Edit: To zeaps: you said: "That precious battery causes acid rain". We are discussing the 12v battery here which is of the common lead acid type same as any other "gasoline car" only on the Prius it is half the usual size.

If you are referring to the nickel metal mined at Sudbury the acid rain of which you speak was back in the 1960s. The site is just fine now and even if it weren't as Jerry would say less than 1% of the output goes to making the NiMh packs for hybrid vehicles. More than that goes toward the chrome plating processes such as the plants cranking out chrome plated bumpers etc. Nickel is used as a base coat to make the actual chrome both stick and shine better.

JerryJ · 19 Jul 2010, 12:13 pm

If the 12V battery is in good condition, then it will easily last four weeks. It will shut off Smart Start/Smart entry after two weeks, but many people like to manually turn it off using the button to the right of the steering column on the lower part of the dash.

If you are not sure about the condition of your 12V battery, particularly if you have ever had to jump start the Prius, then you can get a Batteryminder http://www.batteryminders.com/batter...--p-16151.html

The Batteryminder will maintain the charge indefinately. Attach it to the jumper terminals.

zeaps · 19 Jul 2010, 12:15 pm

You should sell your Prius. That precious battery causes acid rain. The batteries will run out at the same time as gasoline does. Priuses are actually worse for the environment than any gasoline car.

disconnect prius battery for vacation?

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