From time to time a Prius DIYer or mechanic will need to keep the engine running to perform a service or emissions inspection. Normally the engine only runs to either warm itself up or if the driver is requesting more power, but if you want the engine to idle you’re stuck. Toyota thought of this and, with a special procedure, you can put a Prius into Maintenance Mode, idling the engine until the operator turns the iginition off. It’s a simple procedure:
- Turn the vehicle to accessory mode, Ready-off. On 2001-2003 Prii this is two clicks forward of the key, on 2004+ this is pressing the start button twice with your foot off the brake pedal. The display will not show Ready but will otherwise be lit, the car in park.
- Depress the accelerator two times fully.
- Put the vehicle in neutral.
- Depress the accelerator two times fully.
- Put the vehicle back into park.
- Depress the accelerator two times fully.
You’ll know you’ve done it correctly when on 2001-2009 Prii you see something like this:
Maintenance Mode Warning
2010+ Prii will show something similar to this:
Maintenance Mode Indicated
After you see the confirmation warming or message, depress the brake pedal and start the Prius (Ready-on). The engine will immediately start to idle and will do so until you turn off the car. Be careful with maintenance mode: traction control and many other self-preservation systems are disabled when the car is in maintenance mode. Driving a Prius while it is in this mode can result in complete inverter failure.
So there you have it – a cheat code built into your Prius. As Eden Prairie and Chanhassen’s independent Toyota and Lexus specialist we’re always happy to share the tricks of the trade we know and use daily. We’re Prius experts, so if you’ve got a Toyota Prius acting up don’t hesitate to call and make an appointment at (952)426-4798 today!
