Pre-Travel 12V Question

[Aahhcc11]

I am going away for about a week and my 2023 MME will be sitting idle.

Last time I traveled I left my vehicle at the airport for 5 days and when I got back the 12V battery was extremely low and I was lucky to get the car to open.

What should I do this time since I am traveling for 2 additional days?

Is it common to experience a "close to" dead battery when sitting idle for a period of time?
If so, how do others handle this?

Thanks

Sponsored

 

[garyd9]

The car is supposed to regulate the charge on the LVB. When the LVB gets too low, I think the car is supposed to wake up and use the HVB to recharge the LVB.

Perhaps that was recently added/changed in a module update?

24-PU0121-FTDI-FX?
23-PU1024-MCP-FX?

 

[aporzio1]

I havnt had this issue on mine, longest ive left it unplugged was 2 weeks. But maybe do a remote start after a few days. You will only be able to do it twice so maybe do it once after a few days then wait a few more and do it again.

 

[Sikkun]

Manual claims you shouldn’t be worrying about it until 30 days.

Unassuming you don’t have aftermarket installed items causing drain.

 

[RickMachE]

I havnt had this issue on mine, longest ive left it unplugged was 2 weeks. But maybe do a remote start after a few days. You will only be able to do it twice so maybe do it once after a few days then wait a few more and do it again.

No, don't do this. A 15 minute run of the car isn't doing anything of value.

 

[aporzio1]

No, don't do this. A 15 minute run of the car isn't doing anything of value.

It will wake the car up it’s gone into deep sleep which will trigger it to check 12v status and charge the battery if it needs it. Also, what’s the harm?

 

[RickMachE]

It will wake the car up it’s gone into deep sleep which will trigger it to check 12v status and charge the battery if it needs it. Also, what’s the harm?

If the car is in deep sleep, it won't remote start. The remote start will drain the battery for no reason.

 

[aporzio1]

If the car is in deep sleep, it won't remote start. The remote start will drain the battery for no reason.

Well, That’s what I do and it still starts. So idk what else to tell you other than try it and see. Worst that happens is nothing and you are in the same position. The remote start will charge the LV battery from the HV battery

 

[thenew3]

There was an OTA update a few months ago that seems to activate charging of the 12V battery using the HV battery more often. I think it was 23-PU1024-MCP-FX (not 100% certain).

I do notice after I got the update, my 12v has been basically above 60% all the time. Often at 80-90% charge (based on what the ford site shows). When parking for long periods of time, the HV battery will drop 1% every few days, I assume to keep the 12v charged. I work from home so my phone is often within bluetooth distance from the car, and so often it keeps the car semi awake and it used to drain the 12v to 30-40% frequently. now it never gets that low anymore.

Sponsored