Hybrid battery idle discharge?

[electruc]

Is the hybrid battery's lifetime affected by sitting unused for weeks at a time. For instance if the engine were not started for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or even 12 weeks straight will that lack of charge shorten its life over the years? What if that pattern were periodically repeated?

I read through some information here and other places but have not been able to determine the rate the hybrid battery is expected to discharge and what affects that will have. Whether the owner needs to be mindful about driving around in order to "top off" the hybrid charge before letting it sit? Whether the hybrid drivetrain can be jump started using the 12V battery or otherwise how to get moving again if the hybrid battery goes flat but otherwise still functions on some level?

Also there does not seem to be any method to trickle charge the hybrid battery?

I appreciate any knowledge or insights others have in this area. I have never owned a HEV before and trying to understand what the limitations might be.

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[Big_T]

I can't answer all of your questions. I'll post a video below, at 6:25 he discusses if a hybrid is the right choice for you. This fellow is very experienced on Toyota hybrids which the Ford system is similar to.

If you're going to leave the vehicle unused for a couple of months at a time on a regular basis, I would say a hybrid is not for you.

You can't trickle charge the high voltage battery. You would need a plug-in hybrid for that. Remember the HV battery is 300 volts!

 

[Dechion]

If I read things right we can start our mavericks from the fordpass app, and schedule starts. Probably only for ones with remote start, not sure if all trims have that.

Maybe if you are going to be away you could schedule it to start and run for like 10-15 min every few days?

Just thinking it may be a workaround.

 

[Franks and Beans]

Having owned Ford Hybrids since 2008 (2008 Escape and 2013 C-Max) I can say that I have never experienced a problem. The longest that I have ever left one without driving was for 15 days, no problems. Any non driving will just empty the hybrid battery from available electric propulsion as the battery can only be charged by the engine and regenerative braking (this is something I have not seen discussed yet, my C-Max has 75,000 miles and still haven't needed a brake job).

You need to think of the HV (High Voltage) battery differently than a 12V battery that is in your previous gasoline cars. They do not work the same. The 12v battery needs to be charged to start the engine, along with some electrics. If it is not, the car won't start/work. The HV battery is only for propulsion, so if there is no "reserve" you will only have the gas powered engine running, that is until the battery gets charged by the engine. Hence, there is no reason to keep a "trickle charge".

Side note, the cost to charge a HV battery costs more and so this keeps costs down. Notice the higher prices of Plug In Hybrid vehicles. However, those and pure Electric vehicles (also have owned a Nissan Leaf) do get HV battery conditioning when plugging in.

 

[8211badger]

There are specific instructions for storing the hybrid in the owner's manual. Page 328.
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...-Owners-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_07_2021.pdf

 

[vabchusa]

Having owned Ford Hybrids since 2008 (2008 Escape and 2013 C-Max) I can say that I have never experienced a problem. The longest that I have ever left one without driving was for 15 days, no problems. Any non driving will just empty the hybrid battery from available electric propulsion as the battery can only be charged by the engine and regenerative braking (this is something I have not seen discussed yet, my C-Max has 75,000 miles and still haven't needed a brake job).

You need to think of the HV (High Voltage) battery differently than a 12V battery that is in your previous gasoline cars. They do not work the same. The 12v battery needs to be charged to start the engine, along with some electrics. If it is not, the car won't start/work. The HV battery is only for propulsion, so if there is no "reserve" you will only have the gas powered engine running, that is until the battery gets charged by the engine. Hence, there is no reason to keep a "trickle charge".

Side note, the cost to charge a HV battery costs more and so this keeps costs down. Notice the higher prices of Plug In Hybrid vehicles. However, those and pure Electric vehicles (also have owned a Nissan Leaf) do get HV battery conditioning when plugging in.

I have 167000 miles on my 2015 C Max and still on original brakes and still am averaging almost 42 mpg since new.

 

[Franks and Beans]

I have 167000 miles on my 2015 C Max and still on original brakes and still am averaging almost 42 mpg since new.

Glad to here it. I tell people that my C-Max has been the best car I have owned in 45 years. Still getting 40 mpg in the spring (mileage very dependent here in the Sothern California desert, drops in the summer, rises in the spring) have mixed feelings about trading for the Maverick.

 

[DryHeat]

There are specific instructions for storing the hybrid in the owner's manual. Page 328.
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...-Owners-Manual-version-1_om_EN-US_07_2021.pdf

The instructions for storage are interesting.

First it tells you to start the engine every 15 days and run it for 15 minutes, etc.

Then it tells you -- for hybrids -- that if you are storing it for more than 30 days you should disconnect the 12V battery.

It's going to be hard to do both if you are out of town.

 

[8211badger]

The instructions for storage are interesting.

First it tells you to start the engine every 15 days and run it for 15 minutes, etc.

Then it tells you -- for hybrids -- that if you are storing it for more than 30 days you should disconnect the 12V battery.

It's going to be hard to do both if you are out of town.

Def sounds like a lawyer had a bigger say than a tech lol. I'm sure it will be just fine sitting a few months no matter what. Obv it's best if you can have someone give it a spin once every few weeks tho

 

[vabchusa]

Glad to here it. I tell people that my C-Max has been the best car I have owned in 45 years. Still getting 40 mpg in the spring (mileage very dependent here in the Sothern California desert, drops in the summer, rises in the spring) have mixed feelings about trading for the Maverick.

I usually get my best mpgs in the fall when temps are low 70's. I drive about 400 miles per week (about 50/50 hwy/city) and am getting about 45/46 mpg every tank.

 

[Phil Skinn]

Having owned Ford Hybrids since 2008 (2008 Escape and 2013 C-Max) I can say that I have never experienced a problem. The longest that I have ever left one without driving was for 15 days, no problems. Any non driving will just empty the hybrid battery from available electric propulsion as the battery can only be charged by the engine and regenerative braking (this is something I have not seen discussed yet, my C-Max has 75,000 miles and still haven't needed a brake job).

You need to think of the HV (High Voltage) battery differently than a 12V battery that is in your previous gasoline cars. They do not work the same. The 12v battery needs to be charged to start the engine, along with some electrics. If it is not, the car won't start/work. The HV battery is only for propulsion, so if there is no "reserve" you will only have the gas powered engine running, that is until the battery gets charged by the engine. Hence, there is no reason to keep a "trickle charge".

Side note, the cost to charge a HV battery costs more and so this keeps costs down. Notice the higher prices of Plug In Hybrid vehicles. However, those and pure Electric vehicles (also have owned a Nissan Leaf) do get HV battery conditioning when plugging in.

This has led me to consider cancelling my Hybrid order. I am a snowbird who keeps a car in Florida and a car in Ohio and flies back and forth. The car on both ends will sit unused for 6 months of the year. There is no practical way to do periodic starts. Leave the gas engine on a trickle charge and have had no problem, I need more input on this battery issue before I go through with my hybrid purchase.

 

[NewBernWolf]

Is the hybrid battery's lifetime affected by sitting unused for weeks at a time. For instance if the engine were not started for 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or even 12 weeks straight will that lack of charge shorten its life over the years? What if that pattern were periodically repeated?

I read through some information here and other places but have not been able to determine the rate the hybrid battery is expected to discharge and what affects that will have. Whether the owner needs to be mindful about driving around in order to "top off" the hybrid charge before letting it sit? Whether the hybrid drivetrain can be jump started using the 12V battery or otherwise how to get moving again if the hybrid battery goes flat but otherwise still functions on some level?

Also there does not seem to be any method to trickle charge the hybrid battery?

I appreciate any knowledge or insights others have in this area. I have never owned a HEV before and trying to understand what the limitations might be.

Honestly, it sometimes seems like y'all are looking for reasons to be scared of hybrid batteries. But yeah, it's not great for any of the batteries in your vehicles to sit around unused for 3 or 4 months at the time, especially if you have background options trickling, like your remote start access and stuff. If you park a vehicle for long periods on a regular basis, you might have to charge your batteries.

My spouse and I both drive hybrids. We've taken long trips where one or both cars stayed at home in our driveway (or a hotel parking lot). They were fine.

But sure, if you're buying a vehicle to store at the vacation house that you only visit a few times a year, you might be better off with a plug-in hybrid.

 

[Phil Skinn]

I can't answer all of your questions. I'll post a video below, at 6:25 he discusses if a hybrid is the right choice for you. This fellow is very experienced on Toyota hybrids which the Ford system is similar to.

If you're going to leave the vehicle unused for a couple of months at a time on a regular basis, I would say a hybrid is not for you.

You can't trickle charge the high voltage battery. You would need a plug-in hybrid for that. Remember the HV battery is 300 volts!

After watching the video, I am wondering if I should cancel my hybrid order. I'm a snowbird who leaves my vehicles in storage for 6 months at a time on both ends. Being unfamiliar with the hybrid high voltage battery, I didn't consider the impact of lengthy storage on long term battery life. Definitely need more information on this issue.

 

[fbov]

After watching the video, I am wondering if I should cancel my hybrid order.

Do you keep your old phones? I've got two that sit most of the year, but still work. Li-ion batteries have very good storage properties, if you watch charge and temp.

Follow Ford's recommendations. This hybrid system hasn't changed substantially since the 2013 C-Max, so nothing new here. In fact, you might as on the C-Max forum what folks have seen, storing their cars.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

The instructions for storage are interesting.

First it tells you to start the engine every 15 days and run it for 15 minutes, etc.

Then it tells you -- for hybrids -- that if you are storing it for more than 30 days you should disconnect the 12V battery.

It's going to be hard to do both if you are out of town.

I have been thinking about batteries, frequency of use etc. Tentative plan is to monitor 12 volt battery charge level through phone app. So I can tell if 12v needs attention or charge level is ok. Might be nice if mav has "run 15 minutes every 5 or 7 days maintenance function". Or maybe if key fob will boot computer while outside of car can I place key fob in a faraday cage which I can open through phone app and if HV battery is below its start ice voltage level it starts and runs. If I then after 15 minutes I close the faraday cage and the mav thinks I am no longer interested in going anywhere then shuts the mav down. Will I need app to turn on fresh air circulation fan in garage using frequencies of running ice? Etc. Ummm when I visit my friend in Vegas and I have to park my mav in the sun, it's 110 degrees will I need to leave the fob in the cab so the HV battery can run the air conditioner to cool battery starting ice to charge batteries as needed? May Not be an issue if parked over black pavement and non movement doesn't heat battery over whatever safe limit is. Hmmm.

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