How to Jump-Start a Toyota Prius

What do you do when the battery dies inside your Toyota Prius? Jumping a Prius or another Toyota Hybrid isn’t much different from jumping a gas-powered car. You’ll need jumper cables, an assisting vehicle, and a solid metallic point. Once you have everything you need, check out Toyota of Brookhaven’s guide on how to jump-start a Toyota Prius below! 

Jumping a Prius: The Steps 

Before you jump-start a Toyota Prius, you’ll need to make sure both vehicles are parked and the engines are off. When you’re ready, follow these steps: 

• Step 1: Open your car’s hood and look under the fuse box cover. The jump-start terminal is there. 
• Step 2: Connect the red positive jumper cable to the positive terminal in your car. 
• Step 3: Connect the second red positive cable to the positive battery terminal on the assisting vehicle. 
• Step 4: Connect the black negative cable to the negative battery terminal on the other car. 
• Step 5: Secure the second negative clamp to a metallic point that’s a safe distance away. The metallic point should be unpainted and unmoving. 
• Step 6: Start the engine on the other vehicle and allow it to run for five minutes. 
• Step 7: Start your hybrid car and wait for a “Ready” notification. 
• Step 8: Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order of how they were connected. 

Signs You Need a New Hybrid Battery

Signs of a dying battery are similar no matter the drive system, but there are a few red flags that are exclusive to hybrid vehicles. So don’t get caught unprepared and have to rush to start jumping your Prius battery. If you notice any of the following signs, schedule a battery inspection at Toyota of Brookhaven near Jackson: 

• Lowered MPG 
• The gas-powered engine is working harder than normal
• State of charge fluctuations 
• Battery bar drops 

Learn More About Toyota Service from Toyota of Brookhaven in Brookhaven! 

Do you still have questions about jumping a Prius, or do you need a dead battery replaced? Contact the service department at Toyota of Brookhaven, located near Monticello and McComb. Take a moment to review our current parts and service specials for savings opportunities!