Cold Weather Starting

[Mark’sHeritage Blue Cruis]

I live in Minnesota and yesterday morning was -20 F or so. LC wouldn’t start. Pressed start button and it turned over for awhile but then everything went dead. Went out in the afternoon at about +5 F and still no dash lights, etc. thought I could put a charger on the jumper post under hood but it has to be on the battery directly. Of course couldn’t open tailgate until I hooked up jumper cables to the connection under the hood. Charged on the battery for awhile and of course it started right up.

I’m convinced the tiny battery in the driver rear quarter panel is too small. It appears you can only get a battery from Toyota currently. I will be replacing the OEM battery when something will a lot more CCA becomes available and will always carry a jumper pack. I did call service rep at Duluth Toyota dealer and he was quite ignorant about the vehicle which he described as brand new.

If anyone has found a better battery please let me know. So when it wouldn’t start yesterday I walked over to my 2023 6.2L Sierra and it turned over very rapidly and started right away. 8 cylinders vs. 4 both having 0-20W Mobile 1 in them.

 

[RUN-8]

Toyota uses really shitty weak ass batteries from the factory.

Someone can chime in with the group size, go buy an AGM style to replace it and make your life easier.

 

[EOD Guy]

I put an Optima in mine.

 

[XTrooper]

That Optima DH6 fit in the back and allowed you to replace the plastic cover? Just curious because I have only had mine for 2 weeks. I opened the battery compartment in the cargo area and it sure looked tight. Thanks.

 

[EOD Guy]

That Optima DH6 fit in the back and allowed you to replace the plastic cover? Just curious because I have only had mine for 2 weeks. I opened the battery compartment in the cargo area and it sure looked tight. Thanks.

Exact same dimensions

as the OEM battery.

 

[TheBat]

When it gets colder than -30C (-22F) overnight my 1958 has failed to start remotely both with the app and the key fob. It will crank for about 15 seconds but not start. I've even tried it 3 times in a row without killing the OEM battery, so it really has not been the problem in my case. Each time that it has done that I've had it start right up in 3-5 seconds when I get in and press the button. I don't know why that makes a difference, but it always does. This week I plugged in the block heater when it was getting really cold overnight and have had no problem, even remote starting.

 

[ultane]

This week I plugged in the block heater when it was getting really cold overnight and have had no problem, even remote starting.

Do all of our trucks come with engine block heaters? Or just the trucks sold in Canada?

 

[EOD Guy]

Do all of our trucks come with engine block heaters? Or just the trucks sold in Canada?

I'm thinking that's a dealer add on.

Very much a DIY install.

 

[TheBat]

Do all of our trucks come with engine block heaters? Or just the trucks sold in Canada?

I'm thinking that's a dealer add on.

Very much a DIY install.

I don't know about all of Canada, but in Manitoba every new Toyota comes with one. They are installed prior to delivery.

It's not really optional, but it is a pre-installed option and you do pay for it wherever you wanted it or not.

 

[smay1974]

Battery is a BCI group 48. You can find them at any major auto retailer and most companies are making an AGM option as that is what is used in most stop/start vehicles with a regular gas engine.

Some cars won't start in super cold with a remote start as a cold engine will kick in the over crank. Jump in and it will usually work unless it's cold enough to turn your engine into a brick, which is uncommon with a modern engine.

Block heater will make all the difference in the cold and is an add on. Nothing listed in the aftermarket that I can see for the Cruiser but they do show for the Tacoma which might be the same thing. Catalogue doesn't specify hybrid or not.

 

[Ditchnap]

Doesn't the vehicle use the HV battery and the MG to start the engine? the only thing the 12v battery does at startup is power the isolation relays for the HV battery.

 

[yotapig]

They don't make Optima batteries like they used to. I run Odyssey Extremes. Amazing cold weather AGM batteries with crazy CCA and reserve power. They started in -50c. Just don't let them die as they are unsavable. Expensive mistake not starting my previous vehicle for weeks. Now all my batteries sit on tenders.

 

[TakaraLC]

Doesn't the vehicle use the HV battery and the MG to start the engine? the only thing the 12v battery does at startup is power the isolation relays for the HV battery.

There is a traditional backup starter on the LC. But all hybrids I know use hybrid battery and electric motor to crank the engine and the 12v battery is only used to powerup the hybrid computer. If 12v battery dies (i.e. no dash lights etc.), connecting a trickle charger to the jumper port under the hood is generally enough to power up the hybrid computer and start the car.

Not sure under what conditions the backup starter is used, maybe under very cold conditions the backup is used. Though I had no issues starting at -25F/-32C this winter.

 

[Ditchnap]

There is a traditional backup starter on the LC. But all hybrids I know use hybrid battery and electric motor to crank the engine and the 12v battery is only used to powerup the hybrid computer. If 12v battery dies (i.e. no dash lights etc.), connecting a trickle charger to the jumper port under the hood is generally enough to power up the hybrid computer and start the car.

Not sure under what conditions the backup starter is used, maybe under very cold conditions the backup is used. Though I had no issues starting at -25F/-32C this winter.

I was aware that the LC has a traditional 12v starter for a backup, I also do not know under what circumstances it would operate, but in our 8 months of ownership and 8500 miles, I haven't witnessed a 12v starter engagement. Maybe it's only utilized in the instance that the HV battery is depleted/below a certain capacity? Either way I think it's fair to say that under 99% of starting scenarios the HV battery/Motor-generator is doing the starting of the ICE.

 

[EnigmaOperator]

Recommend a block heater for when the temps get so low. Both for ease of starting and also to help with engine wear from cold starts.

here's some details on the block heater for the new Crusier:

Block Heater / Coolant Heater for LC 250

I'm trying to put together the most comprehensive thread on Block Heater options for our Land Cruiser 250's. From what I've gathered so far: a Block Heater is not a factory option in the US, but it is available from Toyota in Canada. The block heater is a "cartridge type" with a small probe...

www.landcruiserforum.com

 

[KyLandcruiser]

I believe the 12V starter is used when it’s really cold out. I also read it’s used after each fill up to keep the starter operational.

 

[TheBat]

I believe the 12V starter is used when it’s really cold out. I also read it’s used after each fill up to keep the starter operational.

I don't know the official specs on this, but Monday I tried to remote start when it was -20F overnight, it didn't start but turned over quite quickly leading me to guess that it was on the hybrid battery. When I got in and pushed the start button it turned over more slowly and started in 3-5 seconds. Seems like maybe it was cranking on the 12v.

Next day I parked at a motel on a ski trip in northern MN. Didn't try the remote start, but the start button again was a slower cranking and started in 3-5 seconds. -20F again.

Anecdotal I know but it seems like it was using the 12v battery/starter in the cold and started no problem.

 

[dato6966]

I was called away to to quick business meeting so grabbed a flight and left my LC in short-term parking at the airport. That "quick" meeting evolved into being away for 12 days. On returning to the airport parking the LC was absolutely dead - no lights - nothing. Tried to start it according to the owner manual with jumper cables by the towing company - nothing. It was a major effort to get it on a tow truck due to low height in the parking garage - used a low dolly to drag it outside & then onto a flatbed. It now sits at the dealer as they troubleshoot it as a new start battery didn't solve the issue. I had an issue staring it a few months previously when it sat for 5 days - it wouldn't remote start but started right away when I got in and used the start button so had thought it was just a glitch - but now in reflection maybe there was a problem? For clarity this is a bone stock 1958 LC, with 14,580 km