How can I conserve battery power for an extended time of storage?

I am relocating and the 2023 Tacoma TRD OR will join. That means it will be 5-8 weeks in a sea container. Is there any way to switch off all non-essential electrical functions of the car to conserve enough battery power to be able to jump start it later? Not sure if that is even feasible, just trying to not end up with a disabled car due to complete battery death on a different continent.
I heard that disconnecting the battery will definitely cause issues when trying to start the car after that time (which is why the moving company advises against disconnecting the battery).

 

Never heard of issues starting after battery disconnected.

Best methods would be:

1. Disconnect negative battery terminal
2. Trickle charger on it
3. Larger battery, 27f. It has a larger reserve.

 

Disconnect the negative terminal connector. Ship it. Charge the battery on low current (1-2A) when it arrives. Connect the negative connector to the battery terminal. Drive it.

 

You might try replacing the battery with a marine deep cycle battery for the trip in the container It will have a very long reserve .

 

Huh what? Someone is telling you not to disconnect the battery because it will cause issues when you reconnect it? What specific issues did they cite? I have never heard this. Just disconnect the ground wire from the negative side of your battery and you will be fine. Make sure you leave the wire dangling far away from the battery so it doesn't randomly make contact. I have been on multiple 6+ month deployments and have had to park my vehicle in the base lot for extended periods of time and I always disconnected my battery. Just make sure you know how to manually unlock your Taco with the small key in the FOB in case your battery is toast.

• Your clock will need to be reset / updated when you reconnect the negative terminal
• The learning on the transmission for shift points as well as your MPG calculations and estimates will be reset and will need to learn your driving patterns
• The fan in your gas tank that pulls (or pushes?) gas vapor into the charcoal canister will no longer have power. That is an EPA thing -- this will not damage anything and if there is concern just be sure to store it with very little fuel and make sure it is ethanol free fuel you are using.

Don't sweat disconnecting your battery. You can take an older laptop that has a removable battery, store it for however long after removing the battery, plug the battery back in and it will fire up without issue. The only thing you'll have to do is top off the charge on the battery and reset the clock.

 

I'm curious why the recommend against disconnecting the battery. For long term storage I've always removed or disconnected the battery. I know on some newer cars there are some weird things in the ECUs that are tied to the battery, but I don't think that's the case on Tacomas.

It's going to slowly discharge regardless, but it would be slowest if the battery is disconnected.

 

its a 23, basically new
top off the charge
spray the terminal with some fluid film
ship it
have a jump pack ready just in case on the other end

 

They say that some back-up batteries for the electronics discharge and since the car will go to Europe, even Toyota there cannot access some electronic components due to Toyota market separation. The German Toyota app does not even recognize my VIN, European background map for the navigation system cannot be downloaded… So, if anything dies on the way, I have a problem.

 

This is correct. Unless you have the entire container (and not a less-than load) AND you are packing/unpacking it yourself, then your handler will need to shuffle the car at each terminal.

Above advice is best.

 

Then you could have other bigger problems if their software cannot communicate. What if you need to warranty an electronic issue that requires a reflash or reprogramming of the ECU?

Definitely get a deep cycle or 27f battery if you cannot disconnect it. 5 weeks+, almost any battery will be drained being connected.

Wouldn't it make more sense to sell the Tacoma now, then buy something once you arrive?

 

Pretty sure the whole reason the “Short Pin” is there is for shipping.
@Dm93 can confirm it.

Not saying that’s the best approach in your case.
But it maybe an option.

 

I’ve left my frontier sitting that long without a tender, I bet it’ll be okay as is. Pull fuses for non essential systems if you’re concerned

 

That's exactly what it's for, it's in the PDI checklist.
Note that removing it will clear keep alive memory in alot of the modules so things will need to be reset/relearned after it is reinstalled just like when the battery is unhooked.

 

What if the shipping company doesn't reinstall the short pin? Any chance of damage?

 

Yup short pin.

Be aware the fob won't lock the truck you need to lock it manually once in the can. Thats all.

Also most shipping companies require fuel to be all but drained. Check ahead about that. Usually barely enough to start the truck.

 

I don't see why there would be, essentially all it does is remove the keep alive power from most of the modules on the truck.
You would just have a bunch of warning lights on with it removed but the truck is meant to remain driveable with it out.
Alot of newer vehicles have a setting the Body Control Module to change between Transport Mode and Customer Mode but Toyota and some others still use either a short pin or a fuse to be removed for transport or storage.

 

This is what happens.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/open-fuse-slot-labeled-short-pin.764189/

 

Awesome! Thanks for the hint with the short pin!!!
Selling here and get a new car in Germany not worth it for a few years. Cars there expensive also, long wait time for the car you want and the sell and buy again CONUS…
Thanks again for your help and advice!

 

I wonder if hooking up a battery jump starter and using it like a trickle charger would help.

 

I'm curious about why you would want to take the truck...

Are you staying for years? If so, why take a truck with limited parts availability? Of not, why take the truck at all?

Rent something fun or buy something used and/or discardable.

And in any case, will 8 weeks in a shipping container discharge a battery? I doubt it if your vehicle is in good shape. Personally I think that's why the shipper wants the battery left connected. It's to their benefit to start it and drive it out of the box.