GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars - View Single Post

haroldo · #4 (**permalink**) 01-22-2008, 09:51 AM

Battery questions

Can the battery be jumped?
- Yes, the small 12 volt battery (located in the trunk) can.
- The hybrid battery can only be jumped by the dealer.
- Before attempting to jump the battery, please read the manual to make sure you know what you are doing.
- You should NOT try and jump start another car.
Are you sure I can't jump another car? I asked the dealer about this prior to buying the car, and they said it would be okay.
- A.The 12-volt battery in the TCH is an AGM (Absorptive Glass Mat) type. These batteries are designed to survive repeated deep discharge/recharge cycles without failure, but cannot take rapid charge or discharge without potential damage (temperature dependent). The TCH's ECU circuitry limits the charge/discharge rates. Jump starting another vehicle using the TCH's 12-V battery is likely to reduce its service life appreciably due to the very high cranking current that is drawn from it in such an operation. (It's also a rather expensive battery to replace! It incorporates both a temperature sensor and a gas venting valve and gas discharge attachment.)
Does the 12V power outlet plugs inside the car stay on when the car is powered off?
- No, these are disabled when the car's power is off.
Can I change the settings for the headlight auto off timer?
- No, you can't, but the dealer can. For a list of the options that the dealer can modify, please see the PDF attached to this link.
Do the rear personal reading lights (only available in cars with the moon roof) turn off after a period of time?
- Even though the interior lights go off after a few seconds, the rear personal reading lights do not turn off when you power off the car. Please make sure these lights are turned off as they can drain your battery.
What is the maximum speed I can achieve on battery only?
- When the engine is warmed up you should be able to get up to 40 MPH. This will vary due to a number of conditions. Eventually, the battery charge will drop and the ICE will turn on to help regenerate power.
What happens if I run out of gas?
- When your gas gauge reaches E and your MFD indicate 0 miles left on the tank, you have approximately 3 gallons of gas left in the tank. You should try and refill your tank as soon as possible. There are no awards given for the most mileage driven per tank, similarly, it's not fun standing on the side of the road hoping someone will give you a ride to the nearest gas station.
  
  However, in the unlikely situation that you forgot to refill your tank, you failed to notice the dashboard warning light and the car ran out of fuel, your car will be able to drive approximately one or two miles (depending on driving habits, conditions, and battery state) before the main hybrid (traction) battery runs out of power. If you are unable to make it to a gas station before the hybrid battery dies, your car will be stranded and you will need to contact the Toyota dealership to have the battery charged.
  
  Word to the wise...when the warning light tells you you need fuel, get it.