Proactive 12 volt battery replacement

[jdofter]

I’ve been enjoying my 2021 Mache for 3 years and decided to proactively replace the LVB at 36 months based on my experience with ICE vehicles. A trip to Autonation Ford in Katy Texas cost me $140 for the battery and $35 for installation, which was surprisingly low. However, per the owner’s manual I had the brakes flushed which was a $340 hit. I guess it all evened out.

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[RickMachE]

Did you have the battery tested first?

 

[jdofter]

No. My concern was that the consequences of sudden battery failure are greater than the cost of getting a few months more of battery life. If I was confident that there would be a warning prior to battery failure, similar to what Tesla provides, than this would be unnecessary.

 

[alexgorod]

However, per the owner’s manual I had the brakes flushed

Is it based on mileage?

 

[jdofter]

Is it based on mileage?

No. 36 month warranty from purchase date. It may also have been on the dealers lot for a few months.

 

[Shayne]

Did you have the battery tested first?

I had major problems with the lead acid plates for the 12V in my tractor. Fields would shake them loose and it would fail every 3 to 4 years. I bought an AGM and it is now 6 years and the glow plugs click on every time. Same with the dump trailers traded for an AGM has to be 10 years on it; 12V charge it once a year. In these temps an AGM seems to last longer.

The MME battery have no crank so they should be good for a while. Like them over the plates which lasted around 8 to 10 years up here. Had one replaced the first year but it is was something else causing the abuse to the 12V. About 3 years on this one. We will see. Up here it was always cold crank not sure how long for a cold boot.

 

[alexgorod]

No. 36 month warranty from purchase date. It may also have been on the dealers lot for a few months.

Sorry, I wasn't clear with my question. I don't see a "break flush" in the maintenance schedule, it only has the inspections, so I guess at some point, based on the inspection, the dealer will "recommend" it. Not sure how it relates to the warranty, I'm pretty sure it is not covered by the warranty.

Regarding the topic, the 12V battery - I've also replaced it recently, and unfortunately didn't ask to run the tests first or it would be covered by the warranty because it did fail the test. I decided to pay out of pocket and have no regrets, I sleep much better now

 

[jdofter]

My 2021 owners manual, page 393, states that the brake fluid should be changed every 3 years and the interval should not be extended. The dealer was unaware of this as well.

 

[RickMachE]

brake flush...

It's listed in the printed version, not in the version in the app. Every 3 years. Discussed often.

 

[Shayne]

Sorry, I wasn't clear with my question. I don't see a "break flush" in the maintenance schedule, it only has the inspections, so I guess at some point, based on the inspection, the dealer will "recommend" it. Not sure how it relates to the warranty, I'm pretty sure it is not covered by the warranty.

Regarding the topic, the 12V battery - I've also replaced it recently, and unfortunately didn't ask to run the tests first or it would be covered by the warranty because it did fail the test. I decided to pay out of pocket and have no regrets, I sleep much better now

I will kill it see how it dies. It is the EV in me not to throw a battery that is working away.

12V's should last also at your location? How long for one in an ICE to die? For the MME it is a rechargeable silver dollar CMOS or should be. No crank required. I am not sure with that big lithium how you can not develop a system that is nice to it. How often do you change the CMOS battery on a motherboard? They are still not rechargeable.

 

[zvez]

Sorry, I wasn't clear with my question. I don't see a "break flush" in the maintenance schedule, it only has the inspections, so I guess at some point, based on the inspection, the dealer will "recommend" it. Not sure how it relates to the warranty, I'm pretty sure it is not covered by the warranty.

Regarding the topic, the 12V battery - I've also replaced it recently, and unfortunately didn't ask to run the tests first or it would be covered by the warranty because it did fail the test. I decided to pay out of pocket and have no regrets, I sleep much better now

 

[alexgorod]

I will kill it see how it dies. It is the EV in me not to throw a battery that is working away.

A lot of stories here about dead 12V batteries around 3 year anniversary. I'd rather pay $200 than dance around my car trying to open the frunk, expose and charge the battery so I can open the doors and be able to drive.

I agree with you, it shouldn't be like that. But it only takes a few hours for SOC to go down to 60% or so when the car is parked, so the battery's power is used for more than booting the system.

How long for one in an ICE to die?

2.5 years in my wife's CRV. Two 2-mile daily trips to and from work were not enough to recharge the battery on very cold days. Replaced by the warranty.

 

[dtbaker61]

I will kill it see how it dies. It is the EV in me not to throw a battery that is working away.

12V's should last also at your location? How long for one in an ICE to die? For the MME it is a rechargeable silver dollar CMOS or should be. No crank required. I am not sure with that big lithium how you can not develop a system that is nice to it. How often do you change the CMOS battery on a motherboard? They are still not rechargeable.

the 12v in the MME will fail rather suddenly, with very little warning, and can leave you stranded with doors locked. I'd highly advise replacing between 36-40 months even if it tests 'good'.

unlike ICE starter batteries where you get some indication when batteries struggle to crank.... the (tiny) AGM battery drops voltage below where the computers can handle it when it ages, and poof, everything goes crazy or stops completely when the voltage drops below a threshold under load. The 12v side typically draws about 250watts when running, and an old battery may look ok under no load, but sag badly under a 20-30amp load, and computers don't like that.

 

[DanCoon]

I just proactively replaced my 12v battery a few weeks ago. I had about 35,000 MyFord points that I needed to use before they expire next month. Total cost was about $140 after the discount.

After about 3 and a half years my battery was showing a state of health of about 60% and CCA of 260 if I remember correctly.

 

[RickMachE]

I just proactively replaced my 12v battery a few weeks ago. I had about 35,000 MyFord points that I needed to use before they expire next month. Total cost was about $140 after the discount.

After about 3 and a half years my battery was showing a state of health of about 60% and CCA of 260 if I remember correctly.

Your choice, but the "needed to use before they expire next month" isn't a thing.

Points about to expire? Simply spend $1 on something and pay with points. Your expiration has now moved out 18 months.

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