Factory battery life

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Mr Big

Full Access Members
Joined
May 29, 2023
Posts
1,003
Reaction score
586
Location
Tampa Bay, Florida USA
From Interstate Battery:

1. Turn Off the Security System to Save Your Battery​

If your car has a security system and is parked in a secure garage, consider leaving the alarm off. If you do leave it on, it will only drain your battery faster. If you must park outside with the alarm on, drive the vehicle for at least 30 minutes at highway speeds every few days to refresh the battery with a little charge.

2. Charge the Battery Weekly by Driving The car For At Least 30 Minutes
When your car sits, the battery still powers all of the memory stored for the various computer systems. While this battery drain may not seem like a lot, it adds up over time and may drain your battery to where it may not crank the engine.

To keep your battery charged, you must drive the vehicle once a week for at least 30 minutes at a time at highway speeds to ensure the battery gets the boost it needs.

You may think that short trips to the store are enough to keep your battery from dying, but it requires a little more effort to keep your car battery healthy.

3. Connect a trickle charger to preserve your battery.
Many accessories in your car—like clocks, computers and security alarms—draw power from your battery when your car is off.

Suppose you plan to let your car sit for an extended period, like going on a long vacation. In that case, you can use a trickle charger to help preserve the life of your battery and avoid any headaches when you return. All you have to do is plug it into the wall to keep your battery primed and ready to go.

Consider getting a memory maintainer, so you don't completely wipe the memory.

4. Get A Portable Jump-Starter
A rechargeable jump-starter is another option that you can use to jump a dead battery without the hassle of involving another car.

Ensure you don't get stranded by a dead battery by disconnecting the security system, driving the car regularly or buying a jump-starter to keep in your car.
 

sjwhiteley

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Posts
538
Reaction score
331
Location
Kentucky
For me, if there’s not an obvious problem (drain, alternator issue, etc.) I’d change the battery. It’s a relatively cheap potential fix. As people note, batteries don’t last forever.

If the vehicle starts having electrical problems (described above), then go straight to the battery. It gives a good baseline to start troubleshooting anything else, which could become quite expensive and time consuming.

Even if you don’t drive it often (every other week), there should be no need for a trickle charger.
 

GlennSullivan

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Posts
1,095
Reaction score
705
Location
NY & FL
A long thread on this subject over on another car site I frequent where knowledgeable car people from all over the country chimed in. You would think that batteries in cold climates, where they have to work harder would not last as long, but the opposite is true, battery life in warm / hot climates is approximately 1/3 less.
 

F150 Pat

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 1, 2018
Posts
138
Reaction score
51
Location
Sugar Grove, Illinois
In the Ford Manual after the battery replacement it says to use a scan tool and do the battery Monitoring System reset after battery is connected. Necessary? What if I have no scan tool? I don't .
 

Alwaysthinkin

Full Access Members
Joined
Apr 1, 2021
Posts
325
Reaction score
175
Location
Georgia
So you think nothing is actually wrong? I drive around town daily, short trips, running kids around and to different work locations. Then 30 min drives 2-3 times a week. We jumped it and it ran for 5 min or so this morning around 8:00 then by noon it wouldn't start, but it tried.

And thanks for the welcome! Glad to be here despite kicking at my Expy every time I walk by it today.
@JessOTR
Short trips don't allow the battery to charge adequately, if the 30 min drives 2-3 times a week are highway trips then you "might" have some issues going on.
If it was my vehicle I would probably replace the battery at this point. I just don't like not trusting my ride to start when I run my errands! Then buy that trickle charger and charge it every couple of weeks. Many newer cars, including our Expeditions, really use the battery if it sits for any length of time. Hopefully, others can chime in if they feel the expense of a new battery isn't necessary. FYI, I would also turn off the Auto Start Stop feature whenever you drive. I believe it is a feature that does more harm then good and is a further drain on your battery. Good luck and hope you get this figured out and can begin to enjoy your ride as much as I do mine.
 

GlennSullivan

Full Access Members
Joined
Jul 3, 2021
Posts
1,095
Reaction score
705
Location
NY & FL
Next month wee going on a 3500 mile driving getaway. 2019 limited.53k miles. No problems with anything. Now I’m wondering if I should just change cuz.
If you have the original battery, I would change it, cheap insurance. When I change batteries in our vehicles, I try to move up to the next CCA rating.

On 2011 - 2017 Expedition the OEM battery is BXT-65-750 and I went to BXT-65-850 on both of mine.

I have always stayed with Motorcraft batteries although others would argue against that.

At the end of the day I think there is only about 4 battery manufacturers left in the US so in most cases the only difference between brands is the label.
 

JessOTR

Active Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2023
Posts
27
Reaction score
39
Location
Arkansas
@JessOTR
Short trips don't allow the battery to charge adequately, if the 30 min drives 2-3 times a week are highway trips then you "might" have some issues going on.
If it was my vehicle I would probably replace the battery at this point. I just don't like not trusting my ride to start when I run my errands! Then buy that trickle charger and charge it every couple of weeks. Many newer cars, including our Expeditions, really use the battery if it sits for any length of time. Hopefully, others can chime in if they feel the expense of a new battery isn't necessary. FYI, I would also turn off the Auto Start Stop feature whenever you drive. I believe it is a feature that does more harm then good and is a further drain on your battery. Good luck and hope you get this figured out and can begin to enjoy your ride as much as I do mine.
Ok thank you. We will be taking it in to a shop we trust in the morning to have it checked out, but I think a new battery is going up be a forgone conclusion. We leave for a 10 hour trip through some pretty desolate areas next weekend. I don't want to risk getting stranded!

I HATE auto stop/start. I try to remember to turn it off every time I drive. I realize now that it has been turning itself off thanks to not enough battery charge.
 

AJ82

Full Access Members
Joined
Feb 1, 2022
Posts
270
Reaction score
184
Location
Michigan
In the Ford Manual after the battery replacement it says to use a scan tool and do the battery Monitoring System reset after battery is connected. Necessary? What if I have no scan tool? I don't .
I believe the battery management system monitors battery state of health and state of charge. If you install a new battery and don't reset the system it will think the old battery is still in there so you want to reset it. Here is what my manual says (no scan tool needed):
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20230813-183736.png
    Screenshot_20230813-183736.png
    263.7 KB · Views: 56

LazSlate

Full Access Members
Joined
May 7, 2022
Posts
416
Reaction score
245
Location
Arizona
I believe the battery management system monitors battery state of health and state of charge. If you install a new battery and don't reset the system it will think the old battery is still in there so you want to reset it. Here is what my manual says (no scan tool needed):

Good point and very important step. BMW has had it for a long time where you have to enter ALL the battery specs.
It helps them last longer by changing the charge rate.

Failing to reset the computer or programming in the new battery, if applicable, will kill the battery quickly.
 

bobward757

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Posts
89
Reaction score
51
Location
44406
2019. 120K. No battery issues but replacing as normal maintenance.

Ford’s battery supplier is same but changed owners and corporate badging.

I usually get East Penn batteries but the 94 series AGM is the lowest rated battery EP makes sadly
 

JessOTR

Active Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2023
Posts
27
Reaction score
39
Location
Arkansas
I had hoped to join the forum for fun stuff, but alas. I just bought a 2021 with 40k miles about a month ago. This week, I noticed "deep sleep mode" on the app but no other symptoms. I took it to Auto Zone. They told me the battery tested good but needed a charge. Took it to a local mechanic (at closing time on Friday) who quickly checked and said the alternator seemed to be charging and everything looked okay, but bring it back if something came up. Didn't drive it yesterday and it wouldn't start last night.

I'm a non-car knowledgeable girl but can follow simple instructions. Searching around there seem to be '21 F150s with known drain issues, and a service bulletin, but I'm not finding much on the Expys. Any ideas? Battery still bad on a 2 year old truck despite what Auto Zone says? (July 2021 build date)? Some accessory not turning off (can't see anything)? Some wire or relay not functioning properly?
Just an update on me: all the local shops are booked a week out. We decided just to change the battery and see. Got back to AutoZone and the guy that tested it this time said it showed the battery dead dead dead. I don't know if the young guy put in the wrong parameters for my battery or what. The old battery was a 750 cold crank and this one is 850. Everything seems back in order now!
 

ColoradoJon

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2021
Posts
81
Reaction score
45
Location
Colorado
I recently was thinking I needed a new battery in the spring. I drive fairly short trips but this is the original battery. Purchased at 50k now 63k without non start issues. I put it in my battery minder charger which does some desulfination of the battery when left on for more than 24 hours. Now I am back to switching off my auto start stop and my door locks work. Only did that once for like 48 hours a month or more ago and it has been fine since. Pretty sure it will go sometime but this has bought me a few more months. When I measured after full charge I was at 12.7 volts. Should be up in the 13s I think. Good enough for me for now. This is the charger I used. I like it for a lot of different things.

BatteryMINDer Model 1500CEC1B: 12Volt-1.5 Amp Battery Charger Maintenance Charger/Desulfator with Push-Button Battery Indicator - Designed for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, ATV, Boat, RV, etc. https://a.co/d/b7NIcCc
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

SyndicateZ

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 11, 2022
Posts
1,022
Reaction score
708
Location
Mass
Just an update on me: all the local shops are booked a week out. We decided just to change the battery and see. Got back to AutoZone and the guy that tested it this time said it showed the battery dead dead dead. I don't know if the young guy put in the wrong parameters for my battery or what. The old battery was a 750 cold crank and this one is 850. Everything seems back in order now!
Autozone cant be trusted. I wouldnt let them install a battery or provide one as well. I doubt they would know how to reset the battery monitor
 

JessOTR

Active Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2023
Posts
27
Reaction score
39
Location
Arkansas
Autozone cant be trusted. I wouldnt let them install a battery or provide one as well. I doubt they would know how to reset the battery monitor
I understand that they are not techs or anything. The older guy we saw today has been there forever and we've dealt with him before. I tried resetting the battery monitor myself per the instructions upthread. My battery light started blinking before I got to the part where I hit the brakes. Not sure if it worked or not but that's why I'm on here now. ETA: just watched a video. I wasn't waiting long enough after doing the procedure to see the icon blink. It's longer than you think it should be.
 
Last edited:

TX-EXPMAX

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 24, 2019
Posts
100
Reaction score
42
Location
Texas
For what its worth, I just bought this charger and put it on my '21 Navigator (battery just hit 2 years). After being hooked up for ~4 hours, the light finally went green showing it's 80% charged. This was after a drive on the freeway for about 45 min. I'm convinced these just don't get fully charged if they're not driven for long distances consistently, so I'll be alternating use between this and my expedition a couple times a month. Battery in my expedition is about 2 years old now as well, so hoping this will maximize the life!

 
OP
OP
N

Nytimes770

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2019
Posts
54
Reaction score
5
Location
Florida
Is anyone Here for or against Walmart batteries? The Costcos near me don’t have in stock. This battery from Walmart actually comes with a 4 year warranty according to the description.

Everstart Platinum AGM battery (Group Size H7)

Price is about the same.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
N

Nytimes770

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2019
Posts
54
Reaction score
5
Location
Florida
Is anyone Here for or against Walmart batteries? The Costcos near me don’t have in stock. This battery from Walmart actually comes with a 4 year warranty according to the description.

Everstart Platinum AGM battery (Group Size H7)

Price is about the same.
 

sjwhiteley

Full Access Members
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Posts
538
Reaction score
331
Location
Kentucky
Is anyone Here for or against Walmart batteries? The Costcos near me don’t have in stock. This battery from Walmart actually comes with a 4 year warranty according to the description.

Everstart Platinum AGM battery (Group Size H7)

Price is about the same.
I have had good luck with Walmart batteries - never had a problem. Usually go with the Maxx or Platinum (AGM). If/when I have to change it on this truck, the one you noted is exactly what I'd go with.
 
Top