Do these things need two batteries?

[MikeHTally]

My commute is 7.8 miles. Takes fifteen minutes average. Park it at 0715, back in it at 1600 to drive the reverse 7.8 miles, windows open, no A/C, no lights no wipers. Today the Sync audio was responsive, but no sound - radio, USB, or phone. I've read that the system starts shutting stuff down as the battery depletes. The audio system is high on the hit list. It's been on the battery maintainer since about 1620 and now the audio is back.

Knowing that start-up takes out a charge and it's 20-30 minutes to restore the depleted electrons, the drive falls short by 5-6 minutes in each direction. This isn't the first time. If the battery's hit really bad, almost NONE of the Sync system works until the battery's been fed.

I know, mostly a rhetorical question, but dang! It's a good thing I shut the A.S.S. off as my pre-launch checklist.

 

[MNgopher]

No. My wife has a shorter commute than you with no issues. Short trips it to death... and the battery is charged fine. You've got a batter going bad or another draw that is killing it.

And if it is really shedding electrical, the start stop is one of the first things to not engage. Since you turn yours off, you don't know that....

 

[MikeHTally]

Thank you for assuming things I "don't know".

 

[hbalek]

Thank you for assuming things I "don't know".

Mine needed a new battery at about 19,000 miles. It died completely at a red light on a hot summer day with AC and stereo blasting when the auto start/stop kicked in. I could not restart or even turn on the hazard flashers. Before that day there was no warning at all.

 

[MikeHTally]

Mine needed a new battery at about 19,000 miles. It died completely at a red light on a hot summer day with AC and stereo blasting when the auto start/stop kicked in. I could not restart or even turn on the hazard flashers. Before that day there was no warning at all.

How 'bout that? Everyone "knows" the A.S.S. is disabled when the battery is low.

The last four or five batteries have done the same to me. I did have one give the "grunt-grunt" warning, but mostly just all-of-a-sudden, nuthin'. The battery in my wife's 300C lasted nearly nine years, the Ram's battery lasted over nine years.

 

[hbalek]

How 'bout that? Everyone "knows" the A.S.S. is disabled when the battery is low.

The last four or five batteries have done the same to me. I did have one give the "grunt-grunt" warning, but mostly just all-of-a-sudden, nuthin'. The battery in my wife's 300C lasted nearly nine years, the Ram's battery lasted over nine years.

I've never had a battery last more than 3-4 years. You were lucky!

 

[MNgopher]

Guess that's what I get for trying to help.

Good luck. (Fwiw, over 6+ years of experience working with the Ford BMS.)

 

[MikeHTally]

I've never had a battery last more than 3-4 years. You were lucky!

For sure. The Ram was driven on longer trips to car/truck shows. The 300 did some slightly long trips.

 

[peterk9]

My commute is 7.8 miles. Takes fifteen minutes average. Park it at 0715, back in it at 1600 to drive the reverse 7.8 miles, windows open, no A/C, no lights no wipers. Today the Sync audio was responsive, but no sound - radio, USB, or phone. I've read that the system starts shutting stuff down as the battery depletes. The audio system is high on the hit list. It's been on the battery maintainer since about 1620 and now the audio is back.

Knowing that start-up takes out a charge and it's 20-30 minutes to restore the depleted electrons, the drive falls short by 5-6 minutes in each direction. This isn't the first time. If the battery's hit really bad, almost NONE of the Sync system works until the battery's been fed.

I know, mostly a rhetorical question, but dang! It's a good thing I shut the A.S.S. off as my pre-launch checklist.

Hey Mike. I drive many short trips. It's a small town. I have to charge the battery about every 2 months or so and it usually takes a good 8 + hours.
In my case (Aviator) the first indication is that the symphonic chimes revert to the Ford chimes. The Securicode pad won't light up nor will the approach lights. I have to use the fob to lock/unlock the doors. This is all before I even get a Low Battery warning on the screen. As mentioned, there is no need to turn OFF the Auto Start/Stop since it won't work with a low battery. I think that the last time mine engaged was probably 2+ months ago.

Peter

 

[MikeHTally]

Hey Mike. I drive many short trips. It's a small town. I have to charge the battery about every 2 months or so and it usually takes a good 8 + hours.
In my case (Aviator) the first indication is that the symphonic chimes revert to the Ford chimes. The Securicode pad won't light up nor will the approach lights. I have to use the fob to lock/unlock the doors. This is all before I even get a Low Battery warning on the screen. As mentioned, there is no need to turn OFF the Auto Start/Stop since it won't work with a low battery. I think that the last time mine engaged was probably 2+ months ago.

Peter

hbalek's experience was a tad different.

 

[peterk9]

hbalek's experience was a tad different.

It is probably a good time to have it tested.

 

[MikeHTally]

As much of a PITA as the battery-change is, that's not comforting. 19,000 miles is too soon.

 

[hbalek]

As much of a PITA as the battery-change is, that's not comforting. 19,000 miles is too soon.

The service guy tested the electrical system and battery and determined it was a bad battery. I once had a 2003 Infiniti G35 with a slow battery drain from a faulty Bose amplifier staying on after shutdown. It was repaired under warranty.

 

[RJT895]

My 2020 Hybrid Limited has 24,000 mile on it now and my daily commute is 20 minutes and 6.1 miles one way. Some tanks I've managed to get to 50% electric miles on the commute so the engine runs even less time.


I've never had a problem with the main 12V battery not being charged enough since getting the vehicle at the end of December 2019.