Preventative replacement of 12v battery?

[glenthompson]

My 2022 MME GT is now 3 years old with just over 20k miles. I need to take it to the dealer for a recall and state inspection tis month. Should I preemptively replace the 12v battery for safety sake? While we don't usually travel very far from home I'd hate to be locked out somewhere.

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[bearswalker]

My 2022 MME GTPE is also 3 years old, but just under 2k miles (really).

Yesterday's discussion helped clarify in my mind. If the 12-volt battery is 3 years old and I'm asking if I should replace it, then for my peace of mind, yes.

For me tho it's not urgent, yet. When it comes to taking a car to a dealer or mechanic, I experience enormous inertia.

 

[jksu]

i would (and plan to for my mach-e when the time comes), for peace of mind.

i actually do that now for my wife's honda after she was stranded with a dead 3.5yo battery. her's is super easy to replace so i do it myself, picking one up at the local pep boys/autozone.

might try doing it myself on my mach-e... but if i'm lazy and/or lack the courage, might just have the dealer do it.

 

[Rick65]

any easy way to test the current state of the 12v battery?

 

[joebruin77]

A big yes to proactively changing the 12v battery. I personally got stuck with my old Tesla when the 12v unexpectedly died, even though there was no indicator that the battery had a problem AND even though I had the battery tested literally a week earlier. I have heard of other MachE owners getting stranded because of a dead 12v. I consider changing a 12v battery every 2 1/2 to 3 years cheap insurance.

Also, just in case anyone is thinking that since you don't drive that many miles your battery will last longer, this is simply not correct. The main wear and tear on a 12v battery is extreme temperature changes. So even if the car is not driven, the battery is still exposed to temperature changes and will degrade over time.

 

[AtomicInternet]

I've had several 12v batteries tested "good" that die shortly after. I agree replace after 3 years regardless, especially if you live in the south where it's regularly over 100 or the north where it's regularly under 20

 

[IgorKl]

i replaced at 3 year without looking on 12v battery data - better be safe than sorry

 

[Maquis]

I was fortunate when my 12V died (at 46 months). It was in my garage with the windows down. Going forward, I’ll replace it at the 3 year mark.
I’ll let the one in my Lightning die a natural death since it has mechanical access And I carry a jump pack.

 

[JustSomeQuickGuy]

I didn't wait for my 12V to die, I replaced it preventatively to avoid getting stuck in the winter. The Ford app was already acting up, sending me random 'aftermarket accessory drain' alerts (even though I don't have any).

After it happened three times in a couple of weeks, I just had them swap the battery during a recall visit. No more warnings and total peace of mind.

 

[Electrifiedsince2013]

any easy way to test the current state of the 12v battery?

The dealer can see it with your VIN. I also learned this week that the ford app will tell you if there is a concern. I learned that Tuesday and Wednesday morning I woke up to a “Check 12-volt battery” message in the Ford app. Remotely I was told that everything looked fine, but was encouraged to come in and put it on the tester. It tested bad and I replaced it. I’ve had my car 3.5 years. (2022 GT, delivered July 2022)

 

[ridgebackpilot]

I replaced the 12 volt battery in my 2022 Premium yesterday at the dealership.

The car is four years old and we’ve driven more than 90,000 miles. Never replaced the 12 v battery until now.

I received an alert via the Ford app that the battery was getting weak and may need replacement. So I decided to act proactively rather than wait for it to fail.

Those of you who are replacing your batteries far earlier may be overreacting. You should get ample warning when that becomes necessary. Of course, I’m based in California so the car never sees extreme cold temperatures. If yours does, the battery may not last as long as mine did.

 

[Jack Roberts]

My 2022 MME GTPE is also 3 years old, but just under 2k miles (really).

Yesterday's discussion helped clarify in my mind. If the 12-volt battery is 3 years old and I'm asking if I should replace it, then for my peace of mind, yes.

For me tho it's not urgent, yet. When it comes to taking a car to a dealer or mechanic, I experience enormous inertia.

I replaced the 12 v battery and had my brake fluid changed at 36 months

 

[EDenney]

I replaced mine last month at 3 years. I started using the local Lincoln dealership as they’re ten times better than the local Ford dealership.

I shopped around, and the ballpark prices were:
O’Reillys auto parts $260+core (forgot price, but refundable)
Rock Auto online $108+$18 core fee
Lincoln dealership $160 with free installation, at home with their mobile service

I agree with the others it’s better to do it for peace of mind, especially as we have almost zero other maintenance items on these Mach E’s.

 

[joebruin77]

Those of you who are replacing your batteries far earlier may be overreacting. You should get ample warning when that becomes necessary.

Unfortunately, this is not accurate. There have been many instances of 12v batteries dying without the car giving any warnings at all. This happened to me in my old Tesla and I have heard this has happened to some MachE owners as well.

 

[Roomba]

I have a 2022 GTPE and im on stock battery still. I was curious about the 3 year timeline so I got an ODB2 scanner with car scanner app to read the 12V battery SOC. Just installed it yesterday and this is what I saw, 63% soc.

I then took a multimeter to the batter (after letting it rest overnight) and this is what I read.

I don't know when the battery warning is going to go off but I'll keep monitoring it. I have a spare battery just in case I need it.

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