Flat battery

[Ala Larj]

Hi all, experienced my first problem today on my GS300h. A flat Battery!

Have got it started but was wondering how long I need to keep it running to fully recharge it? I believe I don't need to drive it as it's recharged via the hybrid Battery. Would it change quicker if I did take it for a spin?

[royoftherovers]

Take it out for 45 mins Al or leave it on your drive for same period with ignition switched on and it will switch itself off and on. Sit in the car while it does this and re-read the Handbook to pass the time.It is a riveting who-dunnit !    

[Ala Larj]

Thanks Roy. Will do. Read the handbook before I took delivery! I actually love reading handbooks. Whenever we get a new gadget I always read the manual unlike my wife who uses the press a button and see what happens method and wonders why it doesn't work properly!

As I'm not driving so much at the moment would you recommend running it once a week to keep it topped up and if so for how long? Not 45 mins I guess?

[royoftherovers]

1 minute ago, Ala Larj said:

Thanks Roy. Will do. Read the handbook before I took delivery! I actually love reading handbooks. Whenever we get a new gadget I always read the manual unlike my wife who uses the press a button and see what happens method and wonders why it doesn't work properly!

As I'm not driving so much at the moment would you recommend running it once a week to keep it topped up and if so for how long? Not 45 mins I guess?

1. Take a virtual Reward 1000 points Al for being a Handbook aficionado !

2. I think we must have married the same girl !

3. yes, 30-45 mins should do.Works on my GS.

[Ala Larj]

Thanks Roy. I have a draw full of handbooks and manuals. Even still have some form gadgets long since gone!

[royoftherovers]

29 minutes ago, Ala Larj said:

Thanks Roy. I have a draw full of handbooks and manuals. Even still have some form gadgets long since gone!

Bet you haven`t got one for the ROLLS WASHING MACHINE marketed by John Bloom ?

[Herbie]

During the first lockdown when we couldn't drive anywhere the advice on Toyota's website was to run the car in READY mode with gear selector in 'P' for 60 minutes per week.

READY mode is the hybrid equivalent of having the engine running in a conventional car so don't leave it unattended while you're doing this or it may disappear on you.

[Ala Larj]

4 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

Bet you haven`t got one for the ROLLS WASHING MACHINE marketed by John Bloom ?

Afraid not!

[Ala Larj]

4 hours ago, Herbie said:

During the first lockdown when we couldn't drive anywhere the advice on Toyota's website was to run the car in READY mode with gear selector in 'P' for 60 minutes per week.

READY mode is the hybrid equivalent of having the engine running in a conventional car so don't leave it unattended while you're doing this or it may disappear on you.

Thanks Herbie, that's really useful. Shame it's not mentioned in the handbook!

[Ala Larj]

Have been thinking about this. Does the 60 mins need to be done in one go or could it be spread over a couple of days or so?

[NemesisUK]

Lexus has a doc on how to look after the two batteries

Maintainace of hybrid battery.pdf

[Ala Larj]

That's interesting about every two months. However, mine went flat in three weeks!

[Herbie]

The 60 minutes should be all in one go.

This screenshot shows the advice on Toyota's website:

[Herbie]

24 minutes ago, Ala Larj said:

That's interesting about every two months. However, mine went flat in three weeks!

You mean the 12V Battery went flat in three weeks?

That's about normal for a Toy/Lex hybrid.

The 'two months' is referring to the high voltage traction Battery and if that goes flat then you'll have to get the dealer or some other suitably qualified company with all the necessary specialist items to sort it out.

[royoftherovers]

1 hour ago, Ala Larj said:

Have been thinking about this. Does the 60 mins need to be done in one go or could it be spread over a couple of days or so?

In one go Al,once a week. And don`t tell your family where you are matey, pure bliss !

[Thackeray]

On 12/9/2020 at 12:19 PM, Ala Larj said:

I believe I don't need to drive it as it's recharged via the hybrid battery. Would it change quicker if I did take it for a spin?

It won't make any difference to speed of charging because, as you say, the 12v Battery is charged from the hybrid Battery. This happens at the same rate whether the engine is running or not. The only difference is that going for a spin will use more petrol because the engine will need to run more often.

[Ala Larj]

Thanks for all your advice. Hopefully it won't happen again. Think it may be worth taking it for a spin to stop brakes seizing or tyres flat spotting. Also a good excuse for a pleasant drive!