I’ve had my 1.8 Corolla for 18 months with mostly short journeys up and down steep hills with no problems whatsoever so I wouldn’t worry. Hope helpful

I have had a1.8l for 2 Years only do Tripps generally20 miles 9r less. Just had 2nd Service Battery Good

I have a 1.8 Corolla Hatch back for nearly 2 years,mainly short journeys.Having read problems owners have had with flat 12 volt batteries,I charge mine about once a week with a smart battery charger powered by the house mains.You can put power into 12 volt by leaving the car in a Ready condition (engine running) for an hour,when it will take power from the Hybrid battery,doing this you must stay with the car,theft might be a problem. That was recommended in Covid lockdown times with cars not used.Using the battery charger is a bit of a chore but a car that does 70plus MPG makes it worth it.

Thank you

Hello Kenneth, thank you for your detailed reply.

I already own a smart charger, can I just ask when using a smart charger on the Corolla do you have to remove any of the battery leads or can you just clamp the charger leads straight onto the + and - terminals with the main car leads attached to the battery.

Some manufacturers recommend removing both leads prior to cliping on the smart charger leads. Thanks, Paul

Hi Paul, I just connect to Positive connection on battery first,then connect to an earthing point on the body,NOT the battery terminal earth,as my smart charger manufacturer recommends.Never had any problems doing it that way. I have never disconnected the battery. Regards Ken.

Hello Ken, thank you for the information. Much appreciated.
Regards, Paul

When you use the smart charger do connect it directly to the + and - terminals on the battery or do you connect the earth lead on the charger to a suitable earthing point in the engine bay.

I clip the negative lead to the earthing point on the body, to the right of the battery,in the recess,other devices are earthed there too.

Thanks Kenneth, I realise I had asked these question before but just want to be 100% sure as I don't want to cause any damage to the cars electrics. My car is a 2ltr so the battery is in the boot. I will have to find a convent place to clip the earth lead to.

I'm sure something I was reading said it was possible to charge the 12V battery from the red plastic covered + terminal in the fuse box in the engine bay, the same terminal that can be used to perform a jump start with a power pack. In both cases the earth lead is connected to a convenient earthing point in the engine bay.

I've had no issues with mine retaining charge on the 12v battery.
i commute to my work 2 days a week which is about 20 miles each way and never had an issues.
I can also say during 2020/2021 lockdowns my car didn't get much use (probably like many) and i still never had any issues.
They do recommend the hybrids are started and kept running for about an hour every 2 weeks (i think) but i only did that once during the first lockdown and never bothered.
I think with our cars i would say the hybrid battery is more of the "concern" (poor choice of word but it's the best i could think of).