Hi:

We bought a used Toyota Prius 2012 with about 35,000 km in early August 2015. We shipped it overseas, and we just tried to start it on October 18th. It gives the "Check Hybrid System" error when we try to start it. All the lights and instruments work o.k.

I've read this car be a problem if the car is parked a long time, which it was as it was mostly in a shipping container. The country where it is now (Lebanon) has Toyotas and Toyota dealers but they don't sell hybrids, so I'm worried that a) the warranty is not valid and b) they don't have the equipment to recharge it.

Any ideas of what we can do before calling the local dealer?

 

Likely an issue with self-discharge if it has sat for those two months.

Before you take it in or call, I recommend you fully charge the 12V. A weak 12V can trigger many issues since the car is dependent on the 12V system to run the electronics.

 

Going to try to power up and down 10 times first.

So even though the lights etc. are working should I "jump" the 12V?

 

Yes. 2 months of sitting isn't good for 12V either.