Storing TCH for 10 days while gone - GreenHybrid

belbe · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 08:48 AM

We will be gone for about 10 days at Christmas and it seems to me that somewhere I read (but now cannot find) some information about how to deal with the car when it isn't going to be driven for a while. I wouldn't worry about it except we have very cold weather here (hasn't been above freezing since the day after TG) and I know that the cold will not make it any easier to start when we return.

So, what do we do? We don't have a garage, unfortunately, either. Should I have my critter sitter start the car and let it run for a little bit every few days?

Thanks!

Barb

skywagon · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belbe

We will be gone for about 10 days at Christmas and it seems to me that somewhere I read (but now cannot find) some information about how to deal with the car when it isn't going to be driven for a while. I wouldn't worry about it except we have very cold weather here (hasn't been above freezing since the day after TG) and I know that the cold will not make it any easier to start when we return.

So, what do we do? We don't have a garage, unfortunately, either. Should I have my critter sitter start the car and let it run for a little bit every few days?

Thanks!

Barb

Barb, don't worry for just 10 days, make sure the indicator shows near full on the traction battery. I travel a lot and have let mine sit for 5 weeks and everything was fine. I saw somewhere Toyota says 2 months. SK

Freeze · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2006, 08:58 PM

We left our TCH for two weeks over the summer without any problem. The ICE seemed to run a bit more initially, but that makes sense since the battery loses a bit of charge every day. I don't think you'll have any problem with 10 days.

nash · #4 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 06:36 AM

I was on vacation for 25 days, the TCH started just fine, and surprisingly the SOC was at 80% after sitting over 3 weeks.

According to TSB PD020-06 the TCH needs nothing special done to be stored up to 30 days. Only if you store it 30 days or more, does Toyota recommend disconnecting the 12V battery.

belbe · #5 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 06:56 AM

Sounds like I should be fine, then. I was just concerned about the cold weather. Thanks all!

schmidtj · #6 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 07:53 AM

Prius's Smart Entry has (had) and issue with battery depletion after weeks of non-useage. There is a button on the Prius to disable Smart Entry just for that reason. The TCH puts the Smart Entry system to sleep after a week so that problem does not exist.
Just make sure your reading/map lights are off and any other lights you can manually turn on (if any).
You'll be just fine.

HybridFan · #7 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidtj

Prius's Smart Entry has (had) an issue with battery depletion after weeks of non-useage. [...] The TCH puts the Smart Entry system to sleep after a week so that problem does not exist. [...] You'll be just fine.

Exactly! See Page 1 of the attachment below.

... Also, should anyone still feel the urge to make *absolutely* sure the smart key system is turned off while they're gone, follow the steps on page 2.

schmidtj · #8 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HybridFan

... Also, should anyone still feel the urge to make *absolutely* sure the smart key system is turned off while they're gone, follow the steps on page 2.

I got dizzy just reading the procedure. Couldn't tell if I was suppose to be opening and closing the physical door or just pushing a button on the FOB.
Confusing to the n'th degree.

HybridFan · #9 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidtj

Confusing to the n'th degree.

Yup, dizzying indeed (and probably on purpose, so it'll never happen accidentally). However, I did try it a month or two back (based on a different thread at that time) and it DID work as indicated.

nash · #10 (**permalink**) 12-04-2006, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidtj

I got dizzy just reading the procedure. Couldn't tell if I was suppose to be opening and closing the physical door or just pushing a button on the FOB.
Confusing to the n'th degree.

I re-wrote the dealers's sheet on how to disable the Smart Key system. Here is the link to: Can I temporarily disable the TCH's Smart Entry?