Your Complete Guide to Jumping a Prius

It’s a moment most drivers dread. You turn the key in the ignition, and your battery is dead. While panic is a common reaction in this situation, it’s important to remember that, with just a few basic tools and some rudimentary knowledge, you can jumpstart your vehicle, whether it’s powered by a gas engine or a hybrid system. In this tutorial for Toyota Prius owners, Hanlees Fairfield Toyota shows you the steps of jumping a Prius so you can get back on Vacaville and Vallejo roads with minimal downtime.

The 8 Steps of Jumping a Prius

Jumping a Prius entails eight general steps. Start by making sure both vehicles are in park with their engines off, then:

1. Pop the hood, and locate the fuse box cover, which conceals the jump start terminal.
2. Connect the red positive jumper cable to the positive terminal in your Prius.
3. Secure the second red positive cable to the positive battery terminal on the second vehicle.
4. Connect the black negative cable to the negative battery terminal on the second vehicle.
5. Attach the second negative clamp to an unpainted and unmoving metallic point situated a safe distance away.
6. Start the second vehicle, and let it run for about five minutes.
7. Start your Prius, and let it run as well.
8. Once you receive a Ready notification, you can disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order of how you connected them.

How to Tell If You Need a New Hybrid Battery

You can minimize the risk of needing to jump a Prius by keeping tabs on your hybrid battery. Fortunately, most hybrid batteries give off some telltale signs when they’re starting to fail. If you spot any of these red flags, bring your Prius in for a service check, as you’ll likely need a battery replacement:

• A notable decrease in gas mileage
• Drops in the battery bar
• Fluctuations in the state of the battery charge
• Your gas-powered engine seems to be working harder than usual

Schedule Service at Hanlees Fairfield Toyota Today

As you can see, jumping a Prius is a pretty straightforward process. But if you need assistance at any point, don’t hesitate to reach out to our service team. We’re here to help you keep your vehicle running at peak performance and efficiency on the roads of Fairfield, Napa, and beyond! Schedule your next service or repair visit online, and check out our latest specials for money-saving opportunities.