Prius won't turn on? Your 12V battery is likely dead.
The Prius, if parked for over a week or two or on an extended vacation can completely deplete the 12V battery located in the rear passenger side of the trunk compartment. The reason for this is: the car constantly emits a signal that can communicate with the SKS key-less RFID (radio frequency identification) key fobs. When parking your car for an extended time, make sure to turn off the keyless activation button underneath the steering wheel on the left side.
If it's too late and your battery is shot (power button does nothing or very little, locks wont open without using the manual key inside of your key fob) - and your car is at least 4-5 yrs old - there is no question you should replace the battery. Don't replace it with an OEM battery, as they are weak and expensive! Opt for the Optima Yellow top battery that is advertised below.
Next goto this site and get the Optima battery adapter kit for Prius 2001-2010. (they sell the Optima battery and the required adapter kit together as well,.. you will save around $10) Make sure you select the super saver shipping on the battery below if you decide to buy it via Amazon. Battery replacement takes around 1 hr if you follow the instructions below - you will need a metric socket set and a clear head.
You will also need to crawl into the car from the passenger compartment, there is a manual release of the rear hatch which you will locate once you're in the rear deck.
If it's too late and your battery is shot (power button does nothing or very little, locks wont open without using the manual key inside of your key fob) - and your car is at least 4-5 yrs old - there is no question you should replace the battery. Don't replace it with an OEM battery, as they are weak and expensive! Opt for the Optima Yellow top battery that is advertised below.
Next goto this site and get the Optima battery adapter kit for Prius 2001-2010. (they sell the Optima battery and the required adapter kit together as well,.. you will save around $10) Make sure you select the super saver shipping on the battery below if you decide to buy it via Amazon. Battery replacement takes around 1 hr if you follow the instructions below - you will need a metric socket set and a clear head.
You will also need to crawl into the car from the passenger compartment, there is a manual release of the rear hatch which you will locate once you're in the rear deck.
Detailed 12V Optima for OEM battery replacement procedure for Toyota Prius
Click on any picture below to zoom in and read installation notes/tips
There is one more upgrade you may want to tackle so that your battery lasts for a very long time, even when it sits un-driven for weeks on end. Install a solar powered battery tender. Instructions and decent pictures are on this site - so long as you can read French. (The only two parts you need are shown below, just use the battery tender plug. don't bother with the the std 12V power outlet.) Keep the solar panel face up on your rear deck when you leave the car for extended periods.
Additional Prius accessory notes:
I have the K&N filter installed in my Prius, it offers increased acceleration and a slight fuel mileage increase
The stock chassis stiffener plate underneath the Prius is barely adequate, installing the billet aluminum plate makes the car handle better in windy conditions and when getting passed by large trucks (decreases the car's instability due to the impact of wind shockwaves)
Factory Prius floor mats get dirty as soon as you look at them wrong, upgrade to a nice set of all rubber ones.
Cabin air filters (underneath the glove box should be replaced yearly or so)
The upper portion of the Prius rear bumper gets scratched up over time, install a rear bumper protector to avoid this damage. Then you can heave boxes, lumber, ovens, cement bags, or whatever else you can haul in your Prius and not worry about scratching your baby.
If you want to install a bike rack or haul a very small trailer, you will need the trailer hitch kit, which bolts to the under side of your Prius. (Note: Most years of Prius are not designed to haul anything but the smallest of trailers, and is not recommended in the instruction manual)
I have the K&N filter installed in my Prius, it offers increased acceleration and a slight fuel mileage increase
The stock chassis stiffener plate underneath the Prius is barely adequate, installing the billet aluminum plate makes the car handle better in windy conditions and when getting passed by large trucks (decreases the car's instability due to the impact of wind shockwaves)
Factory Prius floor mats get dirty as soon as you look at them wrong, upgrade to a nice set of all rubber ones.
Cabin air filters (underneath the glove box should be replaced yearly or so)
The upper portion of the Prius rear bumper gets scratched up over time, install a rear bumper protector to avoid this damage. Then you can heave boxes, lumber, ovens, cement bags, or whatever else you can haul in your Prius and not worry about scratching your baby.
If you want to install a bike rack or haul a very small trailer, you will need the trailer hitch kit, which bolts to the under side of your Prius. (Note: Most years of Prius are not designed to haul anything but the smallest of trailers, and is not recommended in the instruction manual)
Key fob battery range is shot? swap out the batteries - here are instructions http://www.vfaq.net/mods/keyfob.html Want full iPod control on your Prius touch screen? get the DICE iPod integration unit
Are you handy and can fix your own car? Get the repair and maintenance manual
Don't want to accidentally scratch your touch screen? get a screen guard
Live in a snowy environment? Get tire cables so you don't have to leave your Prius parked when there is bad weather
Are you handy and can fix your own car? Get the repair and maintenance manual
Don't want to accidentally scratch your touch screen? get a screen guard
Live in a snowy environment? Get tire cables so you don't have to leave your Prius parked when there is bad weather
Glare Prevention
If you dislike the glare from the sun, get a MFD Visor hood from PriusChat. They attach in seconds and make the multi touch screen more visible during the day. I also cut a piece of felt and apply it to the dash area up near the speedometer display, it helps to cut night time glare of the display onto the windshield.