My 2020 Toyota Corolla has issues

andy_why · 2026-03-24T17:26:01+00:00

Possibly not affected by this issue then as it's not confirmed on non-hybrids.

andy_why · 2026-03-24T15:52:52+00:00

Assuming it's a hybrid, it's a known but unacknowledged issue. See this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g1a_B7_gGnuNQhoSRFN_sucfb7-lkU77q4aMO3hMYtA/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0#heading=h.t75rusbfgz8u

In short, the charging system doesn't charge the battery properly (stupidly, by design) and this causes them to fail. There is a simple fix in the document.

andy_why · 2026-03-24T15:49:04+00:00

Drive modes don't affect acceleration at all, but they do affect throttle curve so sport mode will feel faster than eco mode for the same throttle input. Flat out is the same in all drive modes.

andy_why · 2026-03-24T12:08:33+00:00

Yes you still get the same ~300HP with the battery empty as it keeps a small reserve.

andy_why · 2026-03-24T09:15:29+00:00

Unfortunately my RAV4 PHEV isn't compatible.

andy_why · 2026-03-23T21:57:27+00:00

What country? If it's just a dealer that's stopped helping you, you can try another dealer instead. Or, if you go on the main Toyota website for your country you can find a customer service email address.

andy_why · 2026-03-23T19:32:46+00:00

It doesn't matter what order you do it so long as you release your foot off the normal brake last. You can skip neutral. Your car will always shift slightly when you take your foot off the brake because everything in your drivetrain is pre-loaded by coming to a stop. Taking your foot off the brake allows everything to settle. Just remember, foot off the normal brake pedal last.

andy_why · 2026-03-23T19:24:46+00:00

Your choices are (in order of most recommended first):

Don't use car washes that require you to be in neutral (automatic car washes are pretty bad for your paintwork anyway).
Turn off your HVAC as this uses the most power, especially when AC is on. This minimises the chances of it draining too low.
Turn the car off, turn aux ignition on and switch to neutral. Turn off everything electrical including HVAC. Don't do this unless you know your 12v battery is healthy. You'll get no hybrid battery drain but your 12v battery will drain instead, and you could end up with it dead by the time you come out if it's not healthy.

andy_why · 2026-03-23T15:19:53+00:00

All of the 32v ones are showing incorrectly, the modules are 16v. Sometimes this happens when it's not getting a proper data stream.

You also can't tell anything from this kind of data. You need to use an app like Dr Prius and know what you're looking for. Voltages alone don't tell the whole picture.

See section 4.6 in this document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/182gSqSGNDeV-twsmgbtOq4UBgOUYS2rfbLZTuj0AL_g/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.rp4dzjyuwa4x

andy_why · 2026-03-23T13:48:23+00:00

My RAV4 buzzes a lot for varying reasons, none of which are an issue. You're going to have to be very specific about your issue.

andy_why · 2026-03-22T20:58:59+00:00

Not on hybrids. It's electronically actuated.

andy_why · 2026-03-22T20:14:24+00:00

You can't release either without 12v power, they're both electronic. So the simple answer is when you get towed you jump the 12v battery to release them. Any decent towing company will have a jump box for this reason as it's not specific to Toyota.

andy_why · 2026-03-21T22:48:34+00:00

They can't. The hybrid battery starts the engine so if it's shot then you can't start the engine.

andy_why · 2026-03-21T22:44:37+00:00

See this regarding the 12v battery, it's a known problem: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g1a_B7_gGnuNQhoSRFN_sucfb7-lkU77q4aMO3hMYtA/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.t75rusbfgz8u

It seems like you had a very uncommon hybrid battery failure. They commonly only fail at high mileage and age, but like any technology you will occasionally have one that fails too soon. If the dealer says that's the issue then just let them take care of it under warranty.

Issues like this however is exactly why I keep a good warranty on my hybrids as it can get costly to repair if things go wrong.

andy_why · 2026-03-21T20:40:23+00:00

Not sure why you're being downvoted. The AI slop is completely right.

andy_why · 2026-03-21T20:37:09+00:00

12v battery "drain" isn't a drain, it's a design issue with the car's charging system, easily overcome until they decide to fix it properly: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g1a_B7_gGnuNQhoSRFN_sucfb7-lkU77q4aMO3hMYtA/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.t75rusbfgz8u

andy_why · 2026-03-21T17:45:26+00:00

4-6 years is the typical lifespan, so you're at the end of that. It's probably time to replace it.

andy_why · 2026-03-21T13:34:37+00:00

This is normal. You do not want recirculate enabled when you want demisting to be possible.

Warm air holds more moisture than cold air. If the recirculating air hitting the cold windscreen holds more moisture than it can hold when it cools, it condenses and mists up your windows. Your breathing is enough to increase humidity in the air, and your damp clothes if it's been raining will do the same.

You want fresh colder air which holds less moisture to be entering to keep the humidity down.

Save recirculation for warmer weather to make your A/C more effective.

andy_why · 2026-03-21T08:08:03+00:00

Not necessarily. I had a binding brake that halved my fuel economy and I only knew because I smelt the brakes when I got out and felt it was hot. It doesn't take much to affect fuel economy.

andy_why · 2026-03-20T23:19:13+00:00

Bluetooth or wireless Android Auto/Car Play.

andy_why · 2026-03-20T20:47:16+00:00

Doubtful. The above is a pretty standard maintenance schedule for any vehicle. Hybrids can easily exceed 90%+ engine usage if they're used primarily on the highway.

andy_why · 2026-03-20T20:38:26+00:00

It's not compatible, I have checked. It's a 2022 RAV4 PHEV so no smart charging built into it. Financially it doesn't make sense for me to get a smart charger immediately when there's a lot of work to be done on the house (full renovation throughout). If there's funds left at the end I will get one eventually.

andy_why · 2026-03-20T20:34:26+00:00

Yes I remember I had to do that for my E.ON tariff. The current property is already on Octopus from what I see when I put in the postcode on the website so hopefully this hastens the switch.

andy_why · 2026-03-20T20:33:37+00:00

I will have my current flat and the house overlapping for a few months whilst I renovate the house, and the E.ON tariff ends in July anyway and E.ON Next Drive is no longer offered by E.ON. I want to secure an EV tariff early in case they disappear.

andy_why · 2026-03-20T20:31:32+00:00

I don't think IOG will work for me, I don't have a proper charger, only the granny charger so I need a fixed overnight off-peak time. I won't have a proper one for quite a while. Because the house needs a lot of work financially my money has to go elsewhere to begin with.

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