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How To Open Prius Door With Dead Battery?

ByTsukasa Azuma-October 25, 2024

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.

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.

Read more about Toyota Prius Car. (Photo: Edmunds)

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2. Pull The Carpet For The Tool Box

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 Tool Box 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.

Know about how to open a Prius door with a dead battery. (Photo: Car Pixel)

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.

Tips About Toyota Prius cars. (Photo: Alphr)

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.

  • What precautions should I take when jump-starting a Prius to avoid damaging the electronic door system?

Ensure that you follow the correct jump-starting procedure as outlined in the Prius owner’s manual, paying close attention to the proper connection points and order of operations. 

Incorrectly jump-starting the vehicle can lead to electrical issues, potentially affecting the door locks and other electronic systems.

  • Is it possible to manually unlock all doors from the inside if the battery is dead?

Once inside the Prius, manually unlocking the driver’s door should allow you to manually unlock the remaining doors from the inside, either by using the interior door lock switches (if they’re mechanically linked) or by manually operating each door’s lock.

  • How can I prevent getting locked out of my Prius due to a dead battery in the future?

Consider keeping a spare key fob battery in your wallet or another safe place. Regularly check the health of your Prius’s main and auxiliary batteries and replace them before they fail.

Some owners opt for portable jump-starters or membership in roadside assistance programs for added peace of mind.

Check out this video from VITO’S GARAGE to learn more about how to open Toyota Prius with a dead battery!

Summary

Thus, if you are looking for an answer to how to open Prius door with dead battery, then follow these guidelines to get out without hassle.

Tsukasa Azuma is an awesome car blogger of Car From Japan. He owns a car repair shop at downtown Osaka, and he put all that experience to good use in his sharing posts. Tsukasa’s blog is one of the best resources for information about keeping your favorite imported car running smoothly. Moreover, because of being passionate to learn about the recent happenings in auto industry, he doesn’t only provide great car maintenance tips, he also always updates latest trends in among car brands and share them in his own interesting viewpoint.

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