I won't be using my hybrid for two months - what should I do to avoid battery drain? | Ask Honest John

I won't be using my hybrid for two months - what should I do to avoid battery drain?

I'm the happy owner of a 2013 Toyota Prius. I'm leaving the UK for two months in winter and wonder what actions you recommend I take with leaving the car on the drive? The longest I've left the car unused has been one month and in that time the batteries got very low.

Asked on 14 August 2017 by stephen cragg

Answered by Honest John

Your problem will not be the hybrid battery, it'll be the 12 volt engine battery. Worth checking with your Toyota dealer whether you can safely disconnect it. There is a special procedure for 'jump starting' Toyota hybrids, not at the battery itself, but at a connector in a box under the bonnet with the earth lead of the starter battery connected to the hybrid car's body structure.

Tags: battery charging jump start owning flat battery consumer advice hybrid cars

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