The worst-case scenario is when you are sitting in your sophisticated Toyota Prius, press the button for the car door, and nothing happens. It becomes even more infuriating when you come to know that the trunk lid of the car does not open as it is battery-operated, and the battery is dead. It can lead to a significant issue of how to open Prius door with dead battery.
Contents
Many Prius owners don’t realize that all Priuses come with a hidden physical key you can use to bypass the electronics. This should be your first step:
- Find the key: Look at your key fob. There is a small button or slider that releases a traditional metal key blade hidden inside the plastic fob casing. Slide or press the button and pull the metal key out.
- Locate the lock: Go to the driver’s side door handle. The lock cylinder is often covered by a small plastic cap or has a small keyhole that you may never have noticed.
- Unlock manually: Insert the metal key into this cylinder and turn it. This uses a simple mechanical connection to unlock and open the driver’s door, bypassing the dead electronic system completely.
How To Open Prius Door With Dead Battery
With the battery dead, and you trapped inside the car, the only scenario is you waiting in the middle of the road for a friend to come to help you out.
Besides, you have learned by now that getting inside the trunk without the rear door opening is not an easy task.
1. Flip down the rear seats
In order to know how to open Prius door with dead battery, you would need access to the trunk of the car.
It is here that having children comes in handy, as they can easily fit between the narrow opening between the top of the back seats and the roof of the car.
Tell them to press the button and pull down the rear seats; they can now go into the trunk and look for the door lever to get out.
2. Pull the carpet for the toolbox
If you are among those who do not store anything in the car trunk, then you are on the right side. However, if you are not, then empty everything, and pull back the carpet to expose the toolbox.
It is one of the essential maintenance tips to help you make the most of your Toyota Prius. Remember, you need to look for a small fabric tab near the rear door.
3. Pull back the toolbox lid
Now, pull the fabric tab to open the toolbox lid. It will open quickly, but if it does not, then do not stress as it is just locked.
You will notice two locks on the left and the right side of the tab. To unlock the toolbox, the arrows should point to their respective sides, and if they look to your rear door, then they are not the answer to how to open Prius door with dead battery issue.
4. Remove the cover
Now, you will need to remove the cover. The toolbox lining has a small plastic cover, which protects access to the Door Lever. It is easy to pry off; we recommend that you use a screwdriver and pry the lid off.
Do not use a rag to protect it, as it is nothing more than a plastic piece kept to preserve access to the door lever.
5. Pull the door lever
You are going to look for the lever for the final step. It is located inside the rear door and is below the eye level.
We recommend that you reach two fingers into the black abyss, once you get your hands on the lever, pull it towards you. The car trunk would open, and you could push it up and get out.
FAQs
Can I unlock my Prius if the key fob battery is also dead?
The Toyota Prius comes with a mechanical key hidden inside the key fob. You can slide or pop open a section of the fob to reveal this key, which can then be used to manually unlock the driver’s door.
Is there a way to jump-start the Prius without accessing the interior?
Typically, accessing the interior is necessary to reach the front hood release and open it to access the battery.
However, in some Prius models, you can find an external jump-starting terminal under a panel near the front bumper. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions related to your model.
After jump-starting the Prius, why does the door still not open with the key fob?
If the Prius battery is successfully jump-started but the doors still won’t unlock with the key fob, the fob’s battery might be dead.
Use the mechanical key to unlock the doors, and consider replacing the fob’s battery as soon as possible.
Can a dead Prius battery affect the electronic door lock system?
A completely dead main battery or auxiliary battery can prevent the electronic door locks from functioning.
In such cases, the mechanical key is the fail-safe method to gain entry into the vehicle.
Check out this video from VITO’S GARAGE to learn more about how to open Toyota Prius with a dead battery!
Summary
The physical key is your most critical tool when dealing with a dead Prius battery. By using the mechanical key to gain entry and then applying temporary power to the remote jump point under the hood, you can quickly solve this frustrating problem. To prevent this from happening again, remember to replace the small 12V auxiliary battery every three to five years, as they are often forgotten but essential for all the car’s electronics.
