Is there any documentation or guidance about (2021) Rav4 hybrid battery usage when running the engine on idle for long periods of time? (say for 8...

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Customer

Is there any documentation or guidance about (2021) Rav4 hybrid battery usage when running the engine on idle for long periods of time? (say for 8 hours straight) This is something that is convenient to do when we go camping and the outdoor weather gets really bad. But we are concerned that this could harm the battery.

We know that people will leave their Prius hybrid engines running idle overnight while car-camping with apparently no battery issues. Still, it's something we'd like some expert advice on.

Last updated
Relly De Jesus
Toyota Mechanic

Hello and welcome to ExpertHelp.com! My name is Relly De Jesus and I'm going to do everything in my power to answer your question to your full satisfaction!

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Last updated
Relly De Jesus
Toyota Mechanic

Hello Alex

How are you doing? I'm sorry to say that there's no documentation available or I can find that says it could idle for 8 hours and won't fail or harm the battery that can make it's life short. But yes it's safe to say that you can use it overnight during campings since it will not be everyday that you will be doing it. But if it's to be used as often then it's gonna be a gamble for the battery's health and it's applicable to any make of hybrids as well.  Toyota has it's 2020 and newer hybrid models increased coverage 10 years or 150,000 miles for the battery warranty or whatever the dealer told you.

There will be no harm on the battery if it's not often and that's my expert opinion on this Alex. Hope this helps and please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with. You have a good one!

Regards

Relly

Posted
Customer

Hi Relly,

Thanks for your response. Would you consider 10 overnight idles (so ~80 total hours) in the span of a year "often" or not enough to make a meaningful dent in the longevity of the battery/engine?

Otherwise, it's sounding like leaving it idle for 8 hours is roughly equivelant to just driving on the highway for ~30 minutes.
Does that sound roughly accurate?

Thanks,
Alex

Posted
Relly De Jesus
Toyota Mechanic

Hello Alex

Good to hear back from you. Yes 10 overnights for a year is very considerable and will not do harm on the battery and motor. I'm glad to be of help Alex. Is there anything else I can help you with? 

Regards

Relly

Posted
Customer

Yes I think this answers the question, thank you!

Posted
Customer

Hi, sorry I have two followup questions from my SO, if you could help?:
Would weather that is especially cold or hot make it worse for the engine/battery to leave idle for 8 hours straight?
(ex: 20deg Fahrenheit or 90deg Fahrenheit)
And if this were to happen for 3 nights in a row, would that be any worse than it being more spaced out?

Posted
Relly De Jesus
Toyota Mechanic

Hello Alex

Hope everything is well. As long as the temperature will not exceed 113 Fahrenheit you are good and in cold weather you have nothing to worry about harming the batteries. Hope this helps.

Regards

Relly

 

 

Posted
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