Quote:
Originally Posted by Farzad_K
Thank you for the note. I bought my 2020 T4R sometime at the very beginning of 2020, so the in-service is straightforward.
One thing I forgot to mention, and I will see about updating my original post, is that since beginning of 2023 I have rarely used the T4R because I have bought a new Prius for point-A-to-point-B travel and I think when the car is sitting idle for a few months the battery could get discharged. There are a few tests that can run to see if the alternator is doing its job of delivering sufficient voltage and current.
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Yes, modern cars use electricity while the car is off. The newer, the worst it gets. At a minimum, the electronics are on, waiting for you to press the unlock key on your key fob. The latest Toyotas have a DCM (data communications module) that is always on, and "calls" Toyota periodically to update the car status (tire pressure, fuel level, location, etc). All those will discharge the battery over a period of time. The longer the car is off, the more likely the battery will discharge. (You can see your car's status in the Toyota app on a smart phone).
Is your last sentence a question or a statement? Easiest check for the alternator is to measure the battery voltage while the engine is running. It should be 14 to 14.5 volts. If outside that range, something is wrong.
The alternator will put out what ever current is required. The 4Runner has a relatively high capacity alternator, so you need not worry about the current unless you have something that takes a lot of current (example a winch).
If you leave your car parked for extended periods, suggest you get a battery maintainer (NOT a trickle charger). That will keep the battery charged even though the electronics are using some current.