I posted this notice from Ford last month:
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Benefit of leaving the truck plugged in when the weather is cold?
Now that the weather has turned cold, every time I shut down the truck, I get a message on the screen that because of the outside temperature I should leave the truck plugged in.
My question is if I am not charging and have not set a destination time, what is the benefit, if any, to leaving the truck plugged in during cold weather?
My question is if I am not charging and have not set a destination time, what is the benefit, if any, to leaving the truck plugged in during cold weather?
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My question is if I am not charging and have not set a destination time, what is the benefit, if any, to leaving the truck plugged in during cold weather?
- When you go to drive, you can pre-condition the cabin using "shore power" rather than the battery. This will increase your range and may be more economical as their are losses inherent in charging/discharging any battery.
- Keeping the truck plugged in will help keep the 12v topped up
- PowerUps require the truck to have sufficient charge in the 12v battery. Keeping the truck plugged in will help make sure PowerUps install.
If you had ever tried to start an ICE vehicle at -20° F you would understand what cold does to 12v batteries. 🥶Ok that all makes sense. I also hadn't thought about effect on the 12v battery from the cold.
You are overthinking it. If you can plug it in, do so. If it’s not convenient, don’t bother. It’s only 4 days. You’ll probably lose no more than 2% off the battery.Probably overthinking, but I'm supposed to get my truck next week and then I'm leaving town for 4 days (without truck, so it will sit in driveway). Weather is supposed to be cold/semi-cold in DFW. Not sure I want to leave my truck plugged in for 4 days right after I get it and I'm not home in case something weird happens. That said, it's probably not an issue either way.
What would y'all do? Just charge it up before leaving town and let it sit in driveway for 4 days unplugged or leave it plugged in?
If you plan to keep it plugged into the charger, you need to keep the 12v battery connected. The 12v powers all of the many brains of the computer. No brains, no charging.I saw your post regarding plugging in the Lightning in cold weather. I am a snowbird and will leave my truck in an unheated garage for 4+ months. Ford's Owner's manual says to charge the truck to 50% and then disconnect the 12V battery for long term storage. Do you have any idea if I disconnect the 12V battery but leave the truck plugged in, will it still draw a few kWs to warm the HV battery? Any other advice on this? Ford's online support just basically repeated what the Owner's Manual said. Thanks. Jim
New benefits to keeping your Ford BEV plugged in to keep the battery from getting too cold and pre-conditioning even if you don't know what time you plan to leave. This video has great winter advice.
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