How To Open Prius Trunk Without Power [Dead Battery]

If you own a Prius, you may notice that the trunk doesn't have a keyhole. So, if the battery dies, how do you access the trunk? Below, we will walk you through opening the trunk without a key.

To access the trunk with a dead Prius battery, follow these steps:

  1. First, use the emergency key in the key fob to unlock the door.
  2. Next, lay down the back seats.
  3. Finally, remove the carpet in the back of the trunk.
  4. In the access panel, there will be a slot in the middle. Locate the lever and pull it towards you while lifting the hatch.

We understand that this may be an inconvenience, but why would you need to do this if the battery is dead? In this article, not only will we walk you through the process of opening the trunk but we will also provide some insight as to why this is important. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the Toyota Prius, so keep reading!

Toyota Prius driving on the highway. This model is the most popular hybrid vehicle in the world., How To Open Prius Trunk Without Power [Dead Battery]

How Do You Open The Hatch Of A Prius With A Dead Battery?

The Toyota Prius was one of the first hybrid cars on the market and has been around since 1997. The company is known for its efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles.

The Toyota Prius is made with two different batteries: a lithium-ion battery and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The nice part about the Prius nickel-metal battery is that it can withstand harsher weather conditions, making it great for consumers in cold climates.

However, the Toyota Prius will have two batteries, one in the trunk and one under the hood.

The problem is that one of the batteries is located in the trunk; you will have to access the trunk in order to charge the dead battery. Unfortunately, the Toyota Prius doesn't have a keyhole for the trunk, which can be very frustrating, especially if the battery dies.

So, if the battery dies and you need to access the trunk, how do you do it? We'll walk you through the process below.

Motor car Toyota Prius in the city street

1. Unlock The Door With The Emergency Key

Since the Toyota Prius has a key fob, it won't unlock if the battery is dead. In order to unlock the door, you'll need to use the emergency key, which is found on the key fob. On the back of the key fob, a tab will slide, releasing the emergency key. Use this key to unlock the driver's door.

2. Lay Down The Back Seats

Once you're inside the vehicle, you'll need to lay down the back seats. In order to do this, pull on the seatback, and it will fold down.

3. Remove The Carpet In The Trunk

In order to access the battery, you'll need to remove the carpet in the trunk. There will be a pull strap that you can use to remove the carpet. Underneath the carpet, you'll see an access panel. In the middle of this panel, there will be a slot. This is where you'll insert the lever in order to open the hatch.

4. Insert The Lever And Pull it Up

Locate the release lever, and insert it into the slot using your finger. Once it's inserted, pull the lever towards you while also lifting on the hatch.

And that's it! You've now successfully opened the trunk of your Prius with a dead battery.

Check out this video for a visual walkthrough of the process:

Now that we've gone over how to open the trunk, let's answer some frequently asked questions about the Toyota Prius.

How Do You Jumpstart A Prius With A Dead Battery?

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to jumpstart your Prius with a dead battery, follow these steps:

  1. First, open the trunk following the steps above or open the hood depending on which battery is dead.
  2. Then, locate the jumpstart terminals. The positive terminal will be red and will have a "+" sign. The negative terminal will be black and will have a "-" sign.
  3. After that, you'll need to connect the jumper cables to the corresponding terminals. Then finally, make sure that the other end of the jumper cable is connected to a working vehicle.
  4. Once the cables are all connected, start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. Then, try starting your Prius. If it starts, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that you put them on.
  5. If your Prius doesn't start after following these steps, then you'll need to call a tow truck, as the battery may be too far gone.

What Does Each Battery Do In A Prius?

The Prius has two batteries: a 12-volt battery and a 200-volt battery. The 12-volt battery powers the lights, radio, and other accessories while the engine is off. In addition, this battery helps start the engine. The 200-volt battery powers the drivetrain and is what makes the Prius a hybrid.

A man accessing the hybrid battery fan in 2011 Toyota Prius

Can I Charge The Battery In My Prius At Home?

Yes, you can charge the battery in your Prius at home. In order to do this, you'll need to purchase a Level 2 charger which will plug into a 240-volt outlet. It's important to note that this method will take approximately 2-3 hours to charge the battery.

If you don't have a 240-volt outlet available, you can also use a Level 1 charger which will plug into a standard 120-volt outlet. However, it will take much longer to charge the battery using this method—approximately 5-6 hours.

When charging the battery at home, make sure to follow the instructions that come with the charger.

How Long Do Toyota Prius Batteries Last?

The Toyota Prius batteries are designed to last around 12 years. However, this will vary depending on how often you use your Prius and how well you take care of the battery. If you have any questions or concerns about the battery in your Prius, be sure to take it to a certified Toyota dealer for service.

What Are Some Signs That The Battery In My Prius Is Going Bad?

Some signs that the battery in your Prius is going bad include:

Frontside of Toyota Prius hybrid car model 2016 stopping at roadside in autumn

Decreased Fuel Economy

Most people buy a Toyota Prius because they want to save money on gas.

If you notice that your fuel economy is decreasing, it could be a sign that the battery in your Prius is going bad. This happens because the hybrid battery is used to power the electric motors, which helps the car run more efficiently.

If the battery isn't working correctly, it will depend more on the gas engine, which will use more fuel.

Loss Of Charge

Another sign that the battery in your Prius is going bad is if you notice that it's losing charge more quickly than usual. If you used to be able to go a week without driving and the battery would still have a charge but now it only lasts a few days, it's definitely time to get the battery checked out.

Won't Hold A Charge

If you charge your Prius overnight and it won't hold a charge, this is definitely a sign that there's something wrong with the battery. This usually happens because the battery cells are damaged and can no longer hold a charge.

If you notice this happening, it's important to take your Prius to a certified Toyota dealer as soon as possible so they can replace the battery.

Using Gas Engine More Than It Should

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car which means that it has both a gas engine and an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a hybrid battery, which makes the car more fuel efficient.

If you notice that your Prius is using the gas engine more than it should, it's a sign that the battery is not working properly.

This usually happens because the battery is losing its ability to hold a charge which means that the electric motor can't be used as much.

Strange Noises

If you start to hear strange noises coming from the hybrid battery, it's definitely a sign that something is wrong.

Usually, the strange noises are related to the battery overheating. This is because the fan has to run constantly to cool down the battery, which can be quite loud when this happens.

Warning Light

If the warning light on your dash comes on, it's a sign that there could be something wrong with the battery.

The warning light looks like a battery with an exclamation point in the middle. If you see this light, it's important to take your Prius to a certified Toyota dealer so they can run some tests on the battery.

How Much Is A New Toyota Prius Battery?

Toyota Prius charge port, connector and cable at Stockholm city centr

If you need to replace the battery in your Toyota Prius, it will cost you approximately $2,000-$4,000.

It's important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual price will vary depending on the dealership and the type of battery you need.

When replacing the battery in your Prius, it's important to use a certified Toyota dealer. They will have the proper tools and equipment to install the new battery properly.

They will also be able to recycle old batteries, which is important because hybrid batteries contain hazardous materials.

Final Thoughts

Toyota Prius driving on the highway. This model is the most popular hybrid vehicle in the world.

While the Toyota Prius is a very fuel-efficient and reliable car, the battery can sometimes cause problems. The batteries are made to last, but they will eventually need to be replaced.

If you notice any signs that the battery is going bad, it's important to take your car to a certified Toyota dealer as soon as possible.

Made it to the end? Here are other articles you might like:

Prius Won’t Start—What Could Be Wrong?

What Pickup Trucks Are Hybrid?

Does The Hyundai Palisade Come In a Hybrid?

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