Hybrid sitting at the airport

[wendlle]

I am new to owing a Toyota Rav 4 and will be driving it to the Airport (canberra) where it will sit for a month while we are overseas.

Has anyone had issues with the car not starting upon their return? I've heard if I leave it for that long the battery could go flat and it won't start.

 

[kookaburra75]

I've never had any issues with leaving a car for that long without starting it. Modern cars are ok, as they have systems that monitor battery levels.

 

[clifford]

it will sit for a month while we are overseas.

Seems like a strange thing to do.

Why not just leave it at home and get a bus/uber/taxi. etc. etc?

 

[wendlle]

Seems like a strange thing to do.

Why not just leave it at home and get a bus/uber/taxi. etc. etc?

Because I live 3 hours from the airport.

 

[Guvner]

I am new to owing a Toyota Rav 4 and will be driving it to the Airport (canberra) where it will sit for a month while we are overseas.

Has anyone had issues with the car not starting upon their return? I've heard if I leave it for that long the battery could go flat and it won't start.

I'd have presumed if leaving it for extended periods caused a starting issue, there'd be some mention of it in the documentation/owner's manual.

 

[Forg]

A month will only be a problem if the battery is faulty; highly unlikely, and not something I’d bother to worry about any more than worrying about a tyre going flat <== comment from a car enthusiast.

I'd have presumed if leaving it for extended periods caused a starting issue, there'd be some mention of it in the documentation/owner's manual.

Not really, the manual doesn’t mention Every Single Thing.
If you were to leave it for, say, 3 months … that might be a problem, and I doubt the manual mentions that, it kinda fits into the common-knowledge category which isn’t worth documenting (a bit like “drilling holes in your tyres could cause flatness”).

 

[clifford]

Because I live 3 hours from the airport.

Wouldn't be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car?

 

[wendlle]

Wouldn't be cheaper and more convenient to rent a car?

No because there is no where to rent a car
I’m in a rural town and Canberra is my closest airport and the closest place to also rent a car

 

[kookaburra75]

No because there is no where to rent a car
I’m in a rural town and Canberra is my closest airport and the closest place to also rent a car

I knew that from previous posts, and I'm a Canberra local. If you're really worried about it, send me a message and I can set up something to look after your car. We AFFers look after each other

 

[clifford]

No because there is no where to rent a car
I’m in a rural town and Canberra is my closest airport and the closest place to also rent a car

3 hours drive away without a rental car agency near by?

Where could that be I wonder (I'm a Canberra resident). North of Canberra I guess.

 

[Forg]

3 hours drive away without a rental car agency near by?

Where could that be I wonder (I'm a Canberra resident). North of Canberra I guess.

There’s plenty of country Straya 3hrs’ drive from Cambra with no rental car agency nearby!
I’d have guessed “west” …

 

[clifford]

There’s plenty of country Straya 3hrs’ drive from Cambra with no rental car agency nearby!
I’d have guessed “west” …

Then you might be butting up against Wagga, the great metropolis...

 

[Forg]

Then you might be butting up against Wagga, the great metropolis...

Surely if you’re (say) an hour’s drive north-east of Wagga, then driving to Wagga & getting two one-way rentals & finding somewhere to park your car near the rental place wouldn’t be that cheap/easy?

 

[SYD]

Surely if you’re (say) an hour’s drive north-east of Wagga, then driving to Wagga & getting two one-way rentals & finding somewhere to park your car near the rental place wouldn’t be that cheap/easy?

But finding the car on return might be the issue….

 

[Quickstatus]

west

Lots of communities South

Wagga

There is an airport there

I would look South

 

[clifford]

Surely if you’re (say) an hour’s drive north-east of Wagga, then driving to Wagga & getting two one-way rentals & finding somewhere to park your car near the rental place wouldn’t be that cheap/easy?

You could always ask a relative/friend/neighbour/taxi, etc to drive you to/from the car rental place. Stranger things have been known.

But, that's all academic. I'm sure the OP made their decision based on all relevant factors.

 

[Quickstatus]

At the airport I would charge the traction battery to full by pressing on accelerator while brake is on.

Then disconnect the 12V auxiliary battery.

Carry jumper leads
While the 12V battery is in the rear there are battery terminals in the engine bay in the fuse box.

Also make sure the vehicle has the latest firmware

 

[Franky]

A month will only be a problem if the battery is faulty; highly unlikely, and not something I’d bother to worry about any more than worrying about a tyre going flat <== comment from a car enthusiast.


Not really, the manual doesn’t mention Every Single Thing.
If you were to leave it for, say, 3 months … that might be a problem, and I doubt the manual mentions that, it kinda fits into the common-knowledge category which isn’t worth documenting (a bit like “drilling holes in your tyres could cause flatness”).

Agree - my wife has a RAV4, and the two manuals which come with the car are a combined 500+ pages of ‘don’t….

 

[wendlle]

Thanks I’m not going until September so will do some research on this

I’m on the coast there is car rental at Merimbula airport but with two kids who need car seats this isn’t an option
I have no where to store car seats while we are away

We are well used to parking at the airport for extended holidays this is just the first time with the hybrid.

When you live a distance from cities you get used to knowing your limitations on such things and just have to roll with the added expense of airport parking at either Canberra or Sydney airports

 

[Forg]

Agree - my wife has a RAV4, and the two manuals which come with the car are a combined 500+ pages of ‘don’t….

I had a Tarago as a company-car for a year-ish, nearly 20 years ago now.
There was one specific diagram, without any words, which indicated that you should not drive your Tarago off a cliff.
I’d have thought that was at least moderately obvious …

When you live a distance from cities you get used to knowing your limitations

… do you feel lucky, punk?

PS. from a battery POV no difference between the hybrid RAV4 and the other cars you’ve had before. Same system for starting the car.