2003 Prius that wasn't driven for over a year- what to do with the battery?

[prius_girl]

Hi,

My dad left the country over a year ago, and parked his 2003 Prius in an older relative's garage. It's been untouched since he left, but he's given it to me, and I'm going to pick it up soon.

I read that there are two kinds of batteries: one is 12V, the other is responsible for the engine ignition. What should I check first? What kind of problems should I expect with the car?

It's in Arizona, so there shouldn't be engine rust.

Thanks!

[82Stang]

You'll want to check all the fluids first and make sure they are all up to proper levels. The battery may be able to be charged, but after sitting so long, most cars have a residual draw on the battery for the clock and things of the like, thus it might have killed the battery after sitting for that length of time. If so, buy a new one, install and you'll be good to go.

[Brian R.]

The gas will probably be bad and not run the gas engine. Drain what you can and refill with fresh gas.

[prius_girl]

Originally Posted by 82Stang

You'll want to check all the fluids first and make sure they are all up to proper levels. The battery may be able to be charged, but after sitting so long, most cars have a residual draw on the battery for the clock and things of the like, thus it might have killed the battery after sitting for that length of time. If so, buy a new one, install and you'll be good to go.

Hi, thank you both for the answers!

It is very important for me to understand if you wrote about the 12V battery, or the other "hybrid" batteries, because I read that the 12v battery does not start the engine, but only responsible for the computers, lights, etc.

I saw this information online:

http://www.elearnaid.com/12vobaforpr2.html

Is this the kind battery I need to start the gasoline engine? Or I might need to charge\replace the "hybrid" batteries as well.

Thanks.

[82Stang]

IIRC, Hybrids use the 12 volt battery for running the computer. The hybrid battery is for starting the vehicle. BUT the way I understood it is to jump the 12 volt battery( not the hybrid), using jumper cables, to another vehicle by opening the fuse box under the hood. There will be a pos/red post for the red cable and then toward the windshield, very close to the fuse box, there will be an unpolished bolt which is the neg/black side of the cables. If it has no starting ability, this is what you'll need to do to jump it. I assume this gives power to the hybrid to run the computers to start the car. You'll want to verify this first, but I believe that is what it is.

[danielsatur]

If you got AAA insurance, they might beable to help!

[RedRobin550]

Would you ever consider maybe selling parts of it that are no longer operational? or even the whole vehicle! A friend of mine runs a private hire company that use prius cars to be more eco friendly and he's been thinking of purchasing second hand ones to go even more "green." www.whittingtoncars.com pop them an email if you think its something youd consider.