For a holiday car park I would buy the AA solar panel that sits on the dash against the front window and plugs into the OBD port (i think thats correct name).
This would work at home but what a faff so CTEK is the best option for me.
Flat Battery
I've just picked up my Yaris Cross, a 72 plate with only 5000 miles on it. I have been told by the Toyota dealer that a new battery has been installed an it will give me 'no issues'! , I'd like to mitigate any flat battery issues and will buy a Noco to keep handy. I do around 200 miles a week and hoping this will be enough to keep the battery going. Is it worth getting a solar trickle charger for the occasional days the car is not in use? The car will not get direct sunlight in the winter months, so maybe not worth it.
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- Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2022 3:37 pm
My tale so far, yesterday (Wednesday) I got into my 22reg Yarisx and it wouldn’t start, the display was changing a lot but I did see something about ‘low voltage’. The brake pedal was kicking back against my foot. Put a battery charger on and it showed 4.8v to start it worked up to 5.8v and then showed ‘ER2’ ,this apparently means the battery is ‘sulphated’ and the charger can’t overcome it.
Tried several more times but the same result.
Phoned the dealer to be told the battery is flat (no sxxx Sherlock).
This morning the car display was blank. Had to be at the Doctors this morning, so afterwards went to the dealers service desk, to be told they couldn’t do anything unless I brought the car to them, not a happy bunny, while I was waiting to speak to the manager another guy arrived along with an AA guy same problem. He had been told that they couldn’t look at his car until Saturday!!
Anyway the manager was a bit more customer friendly and agreed to send someone out later on with a booster pack (I’d never heard of them until this forum) they arrived late afternoon and sure enough the car started and is now at the dealership.
Have now updated my breakdown to include Home Assistance (I know stable doors etc) and will probably get a booster, car due to be changed this summer, this has soured my view of Toyota a bit after 5 cars.
Will update with Friday’s results.
Friday, was told the battery tested ok?? and was being charged up. Went to collect it late afternoon and was told I must have left the car switched on!! and that had flattened the battery. Despite my feelings of being told porkies, as the car beeps if you leave it with the key in your pocket and beeps more if you try and lock it, I drove away.
Have now upgraded the car rescue to include Home Assistance and purchased a booster pack.
Tried several more times but the same result.
Phoned the dealer to be told the battery is flat (no sxxx Sherlock).
This morning the car display was blank. Had to be at the Doctors this morning, so afterwards went to the dealers service desk, to be told they couldn’t do anything unless I brought the car to them, not a happy bunny, while I was waiting to speak to the manager another guy arrived along with an AA guy same problem. He had been told that they couldn’t look at his car until Saturday!!
Anyway the manager was a bit more customer friendly and agreed to send someone out later on with a booster pack (I’d never heard of them until this forum) they arrived late afternoon and sure enough the car started and is now at the dealership.
Have now updated my breakdown to include Home Assistance (I know stable doors etc) and will probably get a booster, car due to be changed this summer, this has soured my view of Toyota a bit after 5 cars.
Will update with Friday’s results.
Friday, was told the battery tested ok?? and was being charged up. Went to collect it late afternoon and was told I must have left the car switched on!! and that had flattened the battery. Despite my feelings of being told porkies, as the car beeps if you leave it with the key in your pocket and beeps more if you try and lock it, I drove away.
Have now upgraded the car rescue to include Home Assistance and purchased a booster pack.
Last edited by Dreamon100 on Tue Jan 21, 2025 12:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Toyota has the best hybrid systems of all makes, and they should be as they have many years more experience over others. Its easy to say its just a battery issue and easily sorted, but when it happens to you its a big inconvenience, but it is just a battery issue. Its an easy DIY to install a better and bigger 45Ah battery or ask the dealer to fit one, then your sorted and good to go. Back in the 80's we were always fitting new batteries come winter time and was considered the norm, not a reason to dismiss a car as faulty?