Quote:
Originally Posted by ProDigit
I've read some people reviewing, saying the 12V can be used to jumpstart the engine, from another car. It's there to give enough power to the engine to do just that.
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Since the 12v battery does not start an engine, it gives little to no warning when it is worn out and about to fail. There is no starter motor to listen to that would indicate the 12v battery is worn out.
For this reason, it's not uncommon for people to get stuck, with a 12v battery unable to "start" their Prius. What it's actually failing to do is close a contactor which connects the high voltage battery to the inverter/converter, which then drives the car. The 12v battery is used to throw a switch that turns the car "on".