S-SB-0012-15

June 29, 2015

Battery Maintenance For In Stock Vehicles
Service
Category

General

Section

Maintenance

Market

USA

Applicability
YEAR(S)

MODEL(S)

2013 – 2016

FR-S

2016

iA, iM

2012 – 2015

iQ, xB

2012 – 2016

tC

2012 – 2014

xD

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Introduction

While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance
and life. Batteries can become discharged due to an extended storage period, temperature, parasitic
drain, or while demonstrating vehicle features and benefits in the sales process. Battery inspection
and maintenance are required in order to ensure proper operation and optimal battery life.
As described in this bulletin, operating the engine for 30 minutes after 60 days in storage and every
30 days thereafter will help to maintain battery State of Charge (SOC). This process supplements
other movements of the vehicle as it is staged, and has specific restrictions on how maintenance is
to be done. Also described in this bulletin are 2 other approved methods for maintaining battery
State of Charge.
Required Tools & Equipment
SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS (SST)

PART NUMBER

QTY

GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station*

00002-MCGR8

1

Digital Battery System Analyzer and Printer*

00002-V8150-KIT

1

NOTE
Additional SSTs may be ordered by calling 1-800-933-8335.
* Essential SST.

© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

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June 29, 2015

S-SB-0012-15

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Battery Maintenance For In Stock Vehicles

Warranty Information
OP CODE

DESCRIPTION

TIME

OFP

T1

T2

N/A

Not Applicable to Warranty

–

–

–

–

Recommended Battery Maintenance Procedures

In addition to the Pre-Delivery Service battery test, a monthly battery inspection is required for stored
vehicles. If your dealership is located in an area subject to extreme temperatures (hot or cold),
periodic maintenance may need to be performed more frequently.
As a matter of policy, Toyota does not provide battery warranty coverage for discharged and/or
failed batteries due to lack of maintenance. It is the dealership’s responsibility to maintain the
specified State of Charge (SOC) of the vehicle’s battery while in stock and assure proper State of
Charge (SOC) at delivery.
NOTE
To eliminate customer service concerns due to an undercharged battery during the first few weeks
of ownership, all dealers should check battery State of Charge (SOC) and recharge with the GR8
Battery Diagnostic Station, if necessary, within 48 hours of delivery to customers.
Method 1: Starting Engine

Under this method, vehicles are started after 60 days in inventory, and then every 30 days after that.
CAUTION
Be sure to secure the vehicle and consider if the vehicle’s location is safe to perform this process.
It may be necessary to relocate the vehicle and monitor it to ensure safety.

Overview of Method 1:

• Car arrives at dealership.
• Car is in inventory for 60 days. Run engine for 30 minutes with all accessories off.
• At 30-day intervals, continue to start and run engine for 30 minutes, with all accessories off, until
car is sold and delivered.
NOTE
• Even if the vehicle has been moved or “staged” around while in inventory, this procedure still
applies. The storage age should consider time spent at your dealership, and in addition, time
spent at a different dealership for dealer trades.
• This procedure and Service Bulletin should be shared with the sales department, as at most
dealerships the sales department is responsible for the vehicles.

© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

June 29, 2015

S-SB-0012-15

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Battery Maintenance For In Stock Vehicles

Recommended Battery Maintenance Procedures (Continued)
Method 1: Starting Engine (Continued)

1. Is the vehicle’s age in inventory equal to or at least 60 days, or has 30 days elapsed since the
first time it was run (at 60 days)?
• YES — Continue to step 2.
• NO — Monitor the vehicle’s age until it equals 60 days initial age in inventory, or 30-day
intervals after that, then proceed to step 2.
2. Attempt to start the vehicle.
• If the vehicle starts normally and does not indicate signs of a discharged battery, then turn
OFF all accessories and power draws and proceed to step 3.
• If the vehicle exhibits signs of discharged battery or slow crank, go to step 4. Otherwise, go
to step 3.
NOTE
This step should be repeated every 30 days after the initial 60 days until the vehicle is sold
and delivered.

Example of Starting Schedule:
DAYS ON LOT

PROCEDURE

60

Run engine 30 minutes

90

Run engine 30 minutes

120

Run engine 30 minutes

150

Run engine 30 minutes

180

Run engine 30 minutes

© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

June 29, 2015

S-SB-0012-15

Page 4 of 4

Battery Maintenance For In Stock Vehicles

Recommended Battery Maintenance Procedures (Continued)
Method 1: Starting Engine (Continued)

3. Run the vehicle’s engine for 30 minutes with accessories OFF, then turn the engine OFF.
A. Note any vehicle concerns.
B. Report vehicle concerns to the appropriate person or department.
C. After 30 days have elapsed, repeat step 2.
NOTE
Step 2 should be repeated every 30 days after the initial 60 days until the vehicle is sold
and delivered.

4. If the vehicle exhibits slow crank, no crank, or has other signs of depleted battery, proceed to the
GR8 Charging/Diagnostic menu to charge\test the battery. For more information, refer to Service
Bulletin No. PG001-06, “Battery Maintenance for In-Stock Vehicles & Pre-Delivery.”
Method 2: GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station

Following the same schedule as Method 1, substitute utilizing the GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station to
charge the battery instead of starting the engine at the same intervals.
NOTE
Using the GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station can reduce time spent charging the battery, and does not
result in fuel consumption.

Method 3: Disconnect Battery

To reduce parasitic battery drain on vehicles in inventory for one week or more, disconnect the
negative (–) battery cable to reduce battery discharge.
When the negative (–) battery cable is reconnected, check and reset electrical components, such as
the clock, radio, etc., and re-initialize all applicable systems/functions.

© 2015 Toyota Motor Sales, USA