can a prius battery jump start another car

[MaryAnn]

Yes, a Toyota Prius can jump-start another car, but you must use its 12-volt auxiliary battery, not the large, high-voltage hybrid battery pack. The Prius has two separate electrical systems. The main traction battery (often over 200 volts) powers the electric motors, while a standard 12-volt battery, similar to what's in conventional cars, runs the accessories like lights and the computer. It is this smaller 12V battery that you connect to for jump-starting.

The process is slightly different from a typical car. On most Prius models, the 12V battery is located in the trunk or under the hood in a dedicated junction box, not next to the engine. You'll need to locate the positive (+) terminal under the red cover in the engine bay's fuse box and connect the negative (-) clamp to a dedicated unpainted metal grounding point, not directly to the battery.

Important Considerations:

• Power Limitations: The Prius's 12V battery is smaller than a standard car battery. It's designed for electronics, not cranking a large engine. It can provide enough power to start a 4-cylinder engine, but may struggle with a large V8 or diesel engine.
• Safety First: Never attempt to access or use the high-voltage hybrid battery (usually orange cables). This is extremely dangerous. Always follow the specific procedure outlined in your owner's manual to avoid damaging the Prius's sensitive electronics.

Vehicle Type	Typical 12V Battery Capacity (Ah)	Suitable for Jump-Starting Another Car?	Key Consideration
Toyota Prius	~45 Ah	Yes, with caution	Use only the designated 12V terminals; battery is smaller.
Standard Sedan	~60 Ah	Yes	Standard procedure; sufficient for most engines.
Large SUV/Truck	~80 Ah	Yes	High capacity; good for larger engines.
Diesel Vehicle	~100 Ah	Yes	Very high capacity for high-compression engines.
Prius HV Battery	~200V (Not 12V)	No, extremely dangerous	High voltage can cause severe injury or death.

In short, while it's possible, the Prius is better suited as a last-resort helper for a similarly sized car rather than a reliable jump-starting powerhouse.

[Victoria]

I've done it before. You pop the hood, but you don't connect the cables to the big battery. There's a special little terminal under a red cover. You hook the positive there, and the negative goes to a bolt on the frame. It worked fine for my neighbor's Civic. Just make sure your Prius is in "Ready" mode so its 12V battery is being supported by the big hybrid system. It's not as strong as a truck's battery, but for a regular car, it'll do the trick.

[StBryce]

Technically, yes, but it's not ideal. The Prius's 12-volt battery has a lower capacity and cold cranking amps (CCA) compared to a conventional car battery. Think of it as using a small bucket to fill a large tank; it works, but slowly. The primary risk is damaging the Prius's power control unit with a voltage spike if the connections are incorrect. For the safety of your vehicle, using a dedicated jump starter pack or a traditional car for the task is a much safer recommendation.