How long can I leave 2004 Hybrid undriven?

[Northern Harrier]

I am on vacation for 2 weeks. Will my 2004 Maverick XLT Hybrid start when I return? What should I do to guarantee starting?

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[Ozarkbeard]

I don't think they made Hybrid Maverick trucks in 2004.

If you have a 2024 Hybrid, the manual tells you how to store it if not driving it for long periods.

If you really want to guarantee it will start, buy a NOCO 12v battery tender and connect it at the jump points under the hood. Your 12v battery will reward you with a longer lifetime. You can safely leave it connected while not using the truck. I connect mine whenever I won't be driving it for several days.

 

[Nosrepmodnar]

i left mine for a month in the winter while i went somewhere warmer and had no issues

 

[The Real Maverick]

There are two batteries to worry about.

The 12v (cheap and easy to replace) and the 220v (expensive and difficult to replace).

Batteries don't take well to sitting as they age. So it is like this, for illustrative purposes. YMMV.

When new; the truck can (possibly) sit for 3 months and be fine.

At 5 years old, it might be able to sit for 2 months only.

At 10 years old, it might be able to sit for 1 month. And at 15 years, 2 weeks.

 

[Maverstang]

I found that after 5-9 days it will enter sleep mode where it turns off accessories to preserve the battery charge. You can tell because the interior lights don’t come on when opening the door. It will still start after several weeks in sleep mode.

But agree that if leaving for a long time a small NOCO 2A charger will keep it topped up forever.

 

[Bobkath]

That is my exact issue. On vacation and after 7 days, I got a notification that the "Vehicle in battery save mode please drive your vehicl to refresh status and remote features. Hopefully it will start when I return in a week. Otherwise Ill just start it and next time use a tender.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

That is my exact issue. On vacation and after 7 days, I got a notification that the "Vehicle in battery save mode please drive your vehicl to refresh status and remote features. Hopefully it will start when I return in a week. Otherwise Ill just start it and next time use a tender.

I get that message all the time, because I don't drive that often, or go that far. My hybrid Maverick started every time no matter how long it sat undriven. Sometimes over 2 weeks.

 

[BrianA]

Forever, or at least until the traction battery totally runs down. Just buy one of those little jump-starter things.

 

[Sykotyk]

I am on vacation for 2 weeks. Will my 2004 Maverick XLT Hybrid start when I return? What should I do to guarantee starting?

I park my hybrid outside for a month at a time when I'm not home. Starts every time. The deep sleep engages sometime after a couple weeks usually. Don't bother remote starting to build up the battery. It won't make enough difference.

Been doing this since I got it in January 2022.

 

[Sykotyk]

That is my exact issue. On vacation and after 7 days, I got a notification that the "Vehicle in battery save mode please drive your vehicl to refresh status and remote features. Hopefully it will start when I return in a week. Otherwise Ill just start it and next time use a tender.

The remote start through the app uses cell service. That uses battery power. Eventually the vehicle has to turn it off among other features. That's not a failure in design. It's working exactly like intended.

 

[Samcat13]

At 10 days got a notice it was going into deep sleep. Got home on the 18th day and truck started right up. In sunny Fla. Truck only 8 Months old.

 

[SLingbarT]

At 10 days got a notice it was going into deep sleep. Got home on the 18th day and truck started right up. In sunny Fla. Truck only 8 Months old.

The truck uses the Lithium Battery to start, but needs a 12v to operate everything else. Put a volt meter on the your battery and if it's less than 12.5 it's low. (mine today was 11.97v and my battery was dealer changed 6 months ago) I think there's a problem with the charging system TBH.
PS watch this video: A mechanic found a bad battery cable connection from the battery to the fuse box.

 

[Bobkath]

Ok so I returned after 17 days and it started up with no issues. Drove 5 miles and after parking, the Ford Pass app stated "Drive to reconnect Ford Pass." So you must drive for a longer distance to charge the battery fully. Nice to know. Attaching a tender is probably the best bet.

 

[HeyBales]

The truck uses the Lithium Battery to start, but needs a 12v to operate everything else.

That is incorrect.

 

[MDmaverick]

I am on vacation for 2 weeks. Will my 2004 Maverick XLT Hybrid start when I return? What should I do to guarantee starting?

You can always remote start it with app. I did that when I was in Greece last year. My next door neighbor was perplexed at why my started by itself at 0330 local

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