[Kawartha Lightning]

With the cold weather coming, I want to warm up the truck before I drive away in the morning. Is there a way to do this by plugging it into the level two charger without actually charging it every day when it doesn’t need it. I just want to have the car warm up with house power rather than running down the battery which seems to be losing range just sitting in the driveway overnight when it’s cold, without charging at the same time. Thanks.

 

[Dson607]

With the cold weather coming, I want to warm up the truck before I drive away in the morning. Is there a way to do this by plugging it into the level two charger without actually charging it every day when it doesn’t need it. I just want to have the car warm up with house power rather than running down the battery which seems to be losing range just sitting in the driveway overnight when it’s cold, without charging at the same time. Thanks.

Go to the Ford Pass app and set a departure time and cabin comfort level. The only issue I had was changing the time zone from Detroit, MI. For some reason it didn’t want to let me change that. I had to delete the app and download again.

 

[GDN]

Yes - use the departure time and it will warm it up, just plug it in the night before. You truly want to likely charge the battery a bit before you leave too, that will warm it and it will be more efficient/unlock power that is not usable because it is cold.

 

[Txxthie]

With the cold weather coming, I want to warm up the truck before I drive away in the morning. Is there a way to do this by plugging it into the level two charger without actually charging it every day when it doesn’t need it. I just want to have the car warm up with house power rather than running down the battery which seems to be losing range just sitting in the driveway overnight when it’s cold, without charging at the same time. Thanks.

Warm batteries are more efficient just like warm humans I make a habit of charging my EV's in colder temps for 30 mins before use. ABC (Always Be Charging) especially in colder 🥶 temps.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Warm batteries are more efficient just like warm humans I make a habit of charging my EV's in colder temps for 30 mins before use. ABC (Always Be Charging) especially in colder 🥶 temps.

I hear this all the time, but can't, for the life of me, figure out how most folks can do that at work. My truck is going to be sitting outside regularly in January in South Dakota. Is that bad?

 

[R.I.P.]

I hear this all the time, but can't, for the life of me, figure out how most folks can do that at work. My truck is going to be sitting outside regularly in January in South Dakota. Is that bad?

Ford worked on that problem, and should have engineered the vehicle to be OK on the cold.

 

[Txxthie]

I hear this all the time, but can't, for the life of me, figure out how most folks can do that at work. My truck is going to be sitting outside regularly in January in South Dakota. Is that bad?

No, I don’t charge at work myself. In colder temperatures BEVs lose efficiency that’s all. Batteries charge faster and more efficiently when they are warm. The ABC reference is not to prevent damage, it’s to maintain charge levels. Cold temperature are more damaging to a cold ICE/Diesel engine when 1st starting. My routine: If it’s going to be freezing temps plug in vehicle when I get home (it’s warm and will accept charge easily) and charge to a set level. In the morning when I wake up, use the app and charge 5-10% more and precondition the climate to help remove any snow and ice. When I leave I have my EV at the range I need, with a warm efficient battery, a warm cabin, and happy humans inside. BEVs are better in the winter if you understand the limitations. An early pioneer of cold weather testing is teslabjorn in Norway. Check out his channel on YT, it’s very informative.

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

All good ideas, from everyone thank you. We’re learning together. But not what I was asking. I know you can pre-warm the cabin etc. with it Plugged in and actively charging. Based on what I’m reading you shouldn’t be charging your battery every day unless that’s actually needed based on your driving. What I was trying to find out is can I plug into my Ford 80 amp charger , Not charge the battery but instead use the charger to warm the cabin etc. without drawing down on the battery. For example, let’s say your battery‘s already charged to 80% overnight so you don’t need a charge but on a cold morning you want the cabin conditioned etc. I wanna leave it plugged in to take the stress off the battery doing the pre-warming of the cabin on a cold morning. I believe even the cheapo Kia‘s and Hyundais will do that. But they have heat pumps too. I guess Ford didn’t think of any of these things

 

[R.I.P.]

All good ideas, from everyone thank you. We’re learning together. But not what I was asking. I know you can pre-warm the cabin etc. with it Plugged in and actively charging. Based on what I’m reading you shouldn’t be charging your battery every day unless that’s actually needed based on your driving. What I was trying to find out is can I plug into my Ford 80 amp charger , Not charge the battery but instead use the charger to warm the cabin etc. without drawing down on the battery. For example, let’s say your battery‘s already charged to 80% overnight so you don’t need a charge but on a cold morning you want the cabin conditioned etc. I wanna leave it plugged in to take the stress off the battery doing the pre-warming of the cabin on a cold morning. I believe even the cheapo Kia‘s and Hyundais will do that. But they have heat pumps too. I guess Ford didn’t think of any of these things

You should plug your vehicle in every night, it can then use the grid power to keep the battery in it's happy place temperature wise. It is a good idea to set the charge limit to 80 or 90% if you do not need more, but there is then no negative affect to leaving the EVSE plugged in. The battery will stay at the set point, condition itself with grid power and pre-heat/cool using grid power.

Bottom line, if the vehicle is next to the EVSE, plug it in.

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

Thanks for weighing in RIP! Based on your vehicle ownership, it looks like you have a lot more experience figuring these things out. I’m just learning and trying to figure all this out. With that said, I’ve seen several articles that recommend against plugging in the EV Repeatedly in terms of reducing the memory of the battery — they only have so many cycle charges before becoming completely spent and plugging in every day and marginally topping up the battery when it doesn’t need it will hasten it it based on what I’m reading. Unfortunately there is no consistent opinion on this. See also,

Autotrader - page unavailable

 

[shocker]

Thanks for weighing in RIP! Based on your vehicle ownership, it looks like you have a lot more experience figuring these things out. I’m just learning and trying to figure all this out. With that said, I’ve seen several articles that recommend against plugging in the EV Repeatedly in terms of reducing the memory of the battery — they only have so many cycle charges before becoming completely spent and plugging in every day and marginally topping up the battery when it doesn’t need it will hasten it it based on what I’m reading. Unfortunately there is no consistent opinion on this. See also,

Autotrader - page unavailable

Just follow the recommendations in the owners manual. Do that and the truck will fall apart before the battery degrades significantly.

 

[R.I.P.]

Thanks for weighing in RIP! Based on your vehicle ownership, it looks like you have a lot more experience figuring these things out. I’m just learning and trying to figure all this out. With that said, I’ve seen several articles that recommend against plugging in the EV Repeatedly in terms of reducing the memory of the battery — they only have so many cycle charges before becoming completely spent and plugging in every day and marginally topping up the battery when it doesn’t need it will hasten it it based on what I’m reading. Unfortunately there is no consistent opinion on this. See also,

Autotrader - page unavailable

"Battery memory" refers back to when the popular chemistry was Nickel Metal. Those batteries have not been used for a long time. Modern Lithium batteries have no memory effect. All current OEMs recommend plugging in whenever possible and leaving the vehicle plugged in so it can maintain the systems and temperatures. I install and manage batteries for a living, and years ago designed part of the BMS that GM is now using. But don't take my word for it, refer to your owner's manual; it will tell you the same thing.

 

[ChasingCoral]

All good ideas, from everyone thank you. We’re learning together. But not what I was asking. I know you can pre-warm the cabin etc. with it Plugged in and actively charging. Based on what I’m reading you shouldn’t be charging your battery every day unless that’s actually needed based on your driving. What I was trying to find out is can I plug into my Ford 80 amp charger , Not charge the battery but instead use the charger to warm the cabin etc. without drawing down on the battery. For example, let’s say your battery‘s already charged to 80% overnight so you don’t need a charge but on a cold morning you want the cabin conditioned etc. I wanna leave it plugged in to take the stress off the battery doing the pre-warming of the cabin on a cold morning. I believe even the cheapo Kia‘s and Hyundais will do that. But they have heat pumps too. I guess Ford didn’t think of any of these things

Won’t really matter. Set your truck to charge to 80% and it will stop there when you hear the truck.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I hear this all the time, but can't, for the life of me, figure out how most folks can do that at work. My truck is going to be sitting outside regularly in January in South Dakota. Is that bad?

The cold won’t damage the battery, it’ll just decrease your range.

 

[Txxthie]

All good ideas, from everyone thank you. We’re learning together. But not what I was asking. I know you can pre-warm the cabin etc. with it Plugged in and actively charging. Based on what I’m reading you shouldn’t be charging your battery every day unless that’s actually needed based on your driving. What I was trying to find out is can I plug into my Ford 80 amp charger , Not charge the battery but instead use the charger to warm the cabin etc. without drawing down on the battery. For example, let’s say your battery‘s already charged to 80% overnight so you don’t need a charge but on a cold morning you want the cabin conditioned etc. I wanna leave it plugged in to take the stress off the battery doing the pre-warming of the cabin on a cold morning. I believe even the cheapo Kia‘s and Hyundais will do that. But they have heat pumps too. I guess Ford didn’t think of any of these things

Actually, it’s you that is learning here, sounds like this is your first EV. Also, please post the articles that say plugging in everyday is bad for your battery. So many myths to dispel regarding EVs. I wonder if I have one of those cheapo Hyundai/Kia’s? 🤪.

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

Actually, it’s you that is learning here, sounds like this is your first EV. Also, please post the articles that say plugging in everyday is bad for your battery. So many myths to dispel regarding EVs. I wonder if I have one of those cheapo Hyundai/Kia’s? 🤪.

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

Cheaper but maybe not cheapo! I may sell my Lightning and upgrade to the Kia, and pocket the savings. More straightforward to use. I live in a cooler climate so the heat pump may be a good feature. My Lightning is losing considerable charge overnight and it’s not that cold yet. In winter, I’m guessing I’ll be down 40% on range, easy. I posted one of the articles recommending vs charging constantly above, Autotrader - page unavailable

But I will try leaving it plugged all the time to see if that helps. I’ve studied the manuals but am doing something wrong - even setting it to charge at specific times with a departure time for warming the cabin, it ignores the programming & starts charging once it’s plugged in. (try programming it from the app and the truck itself)

Somewhat Disappointed with my Lightning’s performance and inability to hold a charge - good news is tons of people are buying the hype so I can get rid of it if I want to and not lose my shirt.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Actually, it’s you that is learning here, sounds like this is your first EV. Also, please post the articles that say plugging in everyday is bad for your battery. So many myths to dispel regarding EVs. I wonder if I have one of those cheapo Hyundai/Kia’s? 🤪.

Charging to 100% every day: problem
Charging to 80 or 90% every day: no problem

 

[corradoborg]

Consider the source when making decisions about expensive machinery. Why would one take the advice of Autotrader over the vehicle manufacturer's own recommendations? For one thing, Autotrader is not going to replace your battery if you see excessive permanent range reduction in a short amount of time. Ford will... provided you followed their advice.

Were there any other articles supporting Autotrader's argument? You mentioned "several," but have only shared one.

 

[Kawartha Lightning]

Sorry - didn't realize I was defending a PhD thesis and needed to attach multiple authority references for my dissertation (rough room). In addition to the Autotrader articles (one of many), there's Ford's own Retailer training documentation attached. Confusing and equivocal at best. Given the mess that is the FordPass App, and the fact that you cannot even have the Truck follow Preferred Charge Settings when you program it form BOTH the App and the Truck itself (it just charges away above specified limits and not within the times set - and no, I am not the only one experiencing that issue, which is only one of several glitches - perhaps understandable with such a new product but for a six-figure machine, you should (or could) expect more. I do anyway. So yes, I think Autotrader knows something about cars (and trucks). And no, I don't have to justify my experience or opinion with you or anyone else.