Hybrids and Infrequent Use
Discussion
We've come to the conclusion that our Spanish Dacia is no good for the dog because of the high boot lip so we're looking at maybe a Corolla or Octavia estate out there. Both are available as hybrids.
Does anyone know whether parking up a hybrid for a month or two at a time does them any harm?
Does anyone know whether parking up a hybrid for a month or two at a time does them any harm?
Baldchap said:
We've come to the conclusion that our Spanish Dacia is no good for the dog because of the high boot lip so we're looking at maybe a Corolla or Octavia estate out there. Both are available as hybrids.
Does anyone know whether parking up a hybrid for a month or two at a time does them any harm?
a lot reports it kills the battery in the early hybrid hyper carsDoes anyone know whether parking up a hybrid for a month or two at a time does them any harm?
a modern battery once drained to actual 0% is dead
It shouldn't do the hybrid battery much harm (most of those are lithium ion which has a low self discharge rate and will still have most of its charge months after charging.
The problem you can get on hybrids is with the 12V "normal" battery which powers the auxilaries and is also needed to start up the main hybrid system. As these don't have to turn the engine over to start the car, they are much smaller capacity than in a conventional car.
They aren't terrible though, my car (Toyota hybrid) is regularly left for a couple of weeks and I've not had a problem of the battery being flat afterwards in the nearly 4 years I've owned the car. The Internet tells me I'm playing with fire for leaving it that long. Perhaps I'll only get 5 years out of the battery rather than 7, but that's cheaper than pointlessly running the engine for half an hour every few days, which is what the "wisdom" of the Internet says you should do if not using the car!!
The first battery did die not long after I bought the car, but that was down to a faulty window regulator which drained the battery pretty much overnight rather than any inherent problem with the design.
If that 12V battery goes flat, the car can be jump started like any other car though.
The problem you can get on hybrids is with the 12V "normal" battery which powers the auxilaries and is also needed to start up the main hybrid system. As these don't have to turn the engine over to start the car, they are much smaller capacity than in a conventional car.
They aren't terrible though, my car (Toyota hybrid) is regularly left for a couple of weeks and I've not had a problem of the battery being flat afterwards in the nearly 4 years I've owned the car. The Internet tells me I'm playing with fire for leaving it that long. Perhaps I'll only get 5 years out of the battery rather than 7, but that's cheaper than pointlessly running the engine for half an hour every few days, which is what the "wisdom" of the Internet says you should do if not using the car!!
The first battery did die not long after I bought the car, but that was down to a faulty window regulator which drained the battery pretty much overnight rather than any inherent problem with the design.
If that 12V battery goes flat, the car can be jump started like any other car though.
The Corolla is a brilliant car, you'll have zero issues with one. The best "boring" car you can have if you're buying privately for the long run, by some considerable margin too.
2.0 is usefully faster but the 1.8 is a genuine 50mpg car in mixed use.
It'll be fine left for as long as you'd leave any other car.
2.0 is usefully faster but the 1.8 is a genuine 50mpg car in mixed use.
It'll be fine left for as long as you'd leave any other car.
SkodaIan said:
It shouldn't do the hybrid battery much harm (most of those are lithium ion which has a low self discharge rate and will still have most of its charge months after charging.
The problem you can get on hybrids is with the 12V "normal" battery which powers the auxilaries and is also needed to start up the main hybrid system. As these don't have to turn the engine over to start the car, they are much smaller capacity than in a conventional car.
They aren't terrible though, my car (Toyota hybrid) is regularly left for a couple of weeks and I've not had a problem of the battery being flat afterwards in the nearly 4 years I've owned the car. The Internet tells me I'm playing with fire for leaving it that long. Perhaps I'll only get 5 years out of the battery rather than 7, but that's cheaper than pointlessly running the engine for half an hour every few days, which is what the "wisdom" of the Internet says you should do if not using the car!!
The first battery did die not long after I bought the car, but that was down to a faulty window regulator which drained the battery pretty much overnight rather than any inherent problem with the design.
If that 12V battery goes flat, the car can be jump started like any other car though.
Echo this. My FIL got rid of his because of it, though he is a bit pedantic and a flat battery means another new one. No issues with the Hybrid battery as it had already been changed under warranty.The problem you can get on hybrids is with the 12V "normal" battery which powers the auxilaries and is also needed to start up the main hybrid system. As these don't have to turn the engine over to start the car, they are much smaller capacity than in a conventional car.
They aren't terrible though, my car (Toyota hybrid) is regularly left for a couple of weeks and I've not had a problem of the battery being flat afterwards in the nearly 4 years I've owned the car. The Internet tells me I'm playing with fire for leaving it that long. Perhaps I'll only get 5 years out of the battery rather than 7, but that's cheaper than pointlessly running the engine for half an hour every few days, which is what the "wisdom" of the Internet says you should do if not using the car!!
The first battery did die not long after I bought the car, but that was down to a faulty window regulator which drained the battery pretty much overnight rather than any inherent problem with the design.
If that 12V battery goes flat, the car can be jump started like any other car though.
It was a 2014 63 plate car with 38k, so very low use all its life, sold a few months ago.
SkodaIan said:
It shouldn't do the hybrid battery much harm (most of those are lithium ion which has a low self discharge rate and will still have most of its charge months after charging.
The problem you can get on hybrids is with the 12V "normal" battery which powers the auxilaries and is also needed to start up the main hybrid system. As these don't have to turn the engine over to start the car, they are much smaller capacity than in a conventional car.
They aren't terrible though, my car (Toyota hybrid) is regularly left for a couple of weeks and I've not had a problem of the battery being flat afterwards in the nearly 4 years I've owned the car. The Internet tells me I'm playing with fire for leaving it that long. Perhaps I'll only get 5 years out of the battery rather than 7, but that's cheaper than pointlessly running the engine for half an hour every few days, which is what the "wisdom" of the Internet says you should do if not using the car!!
The first battery did die not long after I bought the car, but that was down to a faulty window regulator which drained the battery pretty much overnight rather than any inherent problem with the design.
If that 12V battery goes flat, the car can be jump started like any other car though.
People are worried about a bill in the thousands to replace the hybrid battery. Are you saying that that shouldn't really be a concern and if the 12v 'normal' battery fails then it's a £100 ish replacement?The problem you can get on hybrids is with the 12V "normal" battery which powers the auxilaries and is also needed to start up the main hybrid system. As these don't have to turn the engine over to start the car, they are much smaller capacity than in a conventional car.
They aren't terrible though, my car (Toyota hybrid) is regularly left for a couple of weeks and I've not had a problem of the battery being flat afterwards in the nearly 4 years I've owned the car. The Internet tells me I'm playing with fire for leaving it that long. Perhaps I'll only get 5 years out of the battery rather than 7, but that's cheaper than pointlessly running the engine for half an hour every few days, which is what the "wisdom" of the Internet says you should do if not using the car!!
The first battery did die not long after I bought the car, but that was down to a faulty window regulator which drained the battery pretty much overnight rather than any inherent problem with the design.
If that 12V battery goes flat, the car can be jump started like any other car though.
Dogwatch said:
A battery conditioner such as a CTEK should keep the lead acid battery topped up and ready to go while you are away.
So a CTEK for the normal battery and leave car electric battery also plugged in whilst away? Same boat as OP but car parked in own garage with electric access.
OllyAitch said:
Leaving a hybrid parked for a month or two isn't usually an issue, the only real risk is the 12v battery draining. The traction (hybrid) battery is managed by the system and can sit for ages, but the little 12v can die if the car's never "ready."
But is it best to leave both batteries on charge?GeniusOfLove said:
The Corolla is a brilliant car, you'll have zero issues with one. The best "boring" car you can have if you're buying privately for the long run, by some considerable margin too.
2.0 is usefully faster but the 1.8 is a genuine 50mpg car in mixed use.
It'll be fine left for as long as you'd leave any other car.
We use these as pool cars at work and they are a great steer. Everyone who has driven one loved it. Well made, great tech and very efficient. I took one to Telford and back and it averaged 60mpg for the trip on mixed driving. When the time comes to replace the daily I will be looking at getting one. 2.0 is usefully faster but the 1.8 is a genuine 50mpg car in mixed use.
It'll be fine left for as long as you'd leave any other car.
Jazoli said:
Shnozz said:
But is it best to leave both batteries on charge?
If it s not a plug in hybrid how would you do that? Cars sit for months at the docks, distribution centres, dealers, it s a complete non issue.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff