https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/...teries_to_fail

What brings this about is that my truck was in for service yesterday at the Ford dealer. They did a "complimentary" service check on my battery and according to the dealer's test, my battery failed and seems to be producing only 400 CCA's.

The battery in question is a four year old Motorcraft Maxx 750 CCA battery with a 99 month warranty. was installed by the dealer about this time frame in 2015, so it's about 48 months old. I'm a little shocked that it tested this low already. My daily commute is 16 miles each way with about 12 miles each way of freeway driving. That should be enough to keep the battery happy. Anyway, it's not acting up nor does it seem to be dragging any during start up.

Thoughts?

 

I know a lot of people that replaced batteries for the reasons in that article, they drive 10-15 miles in traffic both ways (lower RPM) and never get there battery fully charged and then it is tested and is low.
I have an industrial Battery charger (200 amp Start) that I put on the Battery for the time that I am changing the oil and it mixes them up pretty good on all 3 of mine. I still have the original battery in my 2013 truck and I had to replace the Mustang when my Battery tender went bad and baked it, now I put the charger on it for a hour before I take it out the first time in the Spring.

 

The battery died on my 2015 after exactly 2 years. The truck was built 2 months before I bought it, so that should not have been an issue. My commute is a 12 mile semi rural/city mix. I mostly drive during the hours of darkness, so the lights get used more than most.

The battery was put on a charger after I pulled it and it would not charge. It had a dead cell. It was easier to go to O’Reilly’s and get their Deka made battery than mess with being towed to the dealer and leaving it overnight and half the next day.

It seems that Ford was having issues a few years back with OEM battery quality. Let’s see if my replacement lasts more than the original one did.

 

My 2011 factory battery just died on me 2 months ago. Had been fine with no issues, one day it started slow and the next morning it would not start in my garage. I got 8 years and 63k miles out of the factory battery, considering our climate it's not bad. Although heat seems to be what kills them faster then cold (longevity wise) from what I've seen.

I replaced with a local refurbished battery that we use a lot at work and have a great rep, plus a higher CCA over factory.

 

Heat certainly kills them a lot faster than cold weather, and Ford has had problems with factory batteries failing without much notice in recent years. I’m not sure that’s the same as what happened to Tim’s battery, as most of those failures happened out of the blue and the truck refuses to start. Most speculation I’ve seen on that issue is that it’s a manufacturing problem of some sort.

In moderate climate it seems like batteries last a really long time if taken care of. I’ve had two batteries over the years that have lasted 12 years, one of which I just replaced last winter as a preventative measure. That’s almost unheard of down South

I believe the battery warranty is prorated, right? So you will get a brand new battery for just under half price if you let them replace it… Seems like a no brainer to me.

 

I do all of my own service & repair (99%) work on all my vehicles...I always load test the batteries annually or sooner if I suspect something....I will say this, for years I ran AC delco batteries until Interstate (IIRR) or it was Exide bought them...… always was able to go 5+ years (typically 8) without any issues, then 18 months after I bought my next battery (which the retailer was almost certain was still mfg by AC), it too showed low CCA's upon testing......that's when I switched to Motorcraft......for the 1st 8 years (approx.) I have done real well...again 5-8 years on each battery, now last year, yup, within 18 months had low CCA's.....of which the dealer warrantied with no issue. IMHO, Ford like GM and every other car mfg is financially in trouble and exceptionally lost....and yes, Ford actually mfg's the MC batteries themselves (the last I checked)...…
They are going to be throwing the dice looking at everywhere they can to cut pennies......IMHO, if you give them any reason to deny a warranty claim, they will....and that is what they (and others) are doing, more aggressively each day.

Ford's new prez announced they are forming a team to ID customer wants and needs, multiple execs have been fired (again- history repeats itself) for workplace harassment, Ford is again looking for millions of $ is subsidies from local government agencies to help them "build their dream', and they are being investigated regarding the emissions related issues by DOJ......now throw in they are proposing a teaming agreement with VW....whose corporation acted as a conspirator to employ under false names war criminals in executive level positions (paid millions in fines), whose quality control is at best iffy, 4 execs are sitting today in german/US prisons with indictments issued for 20 more execs (re: emissions and animal cruelty related crimes)…...whose profit margins for 2018 were 3.8% and with focusing on electric cars and laying off 30K positions will push their profits to 6% by 2025 (published in their stockholders report)…...this is the last company I would be teaming with IMHO.

The industry itself is challenged beyond belief, in 2017, NADA retained a consultant to look at the industry in relation to the (my words) "failure" of major countries elected officials who have either ignored or abandoned the initial industry specific strategies formed a decade ago within each country...specifically, timeframe for implementation and progressive implementation of advance technologies in the marketplace. Without concurrent guidance, industries now engage in a cutthroat type competition...… the consultants report clearly showed without such restoration, internationally we will go from 50 major car manufacturers to 5 within the decade. VW for an example, has officially stated...it will become the largest mfg of electric cars in the world......and the benefit is multi-fold...it takes fewer components to build the cars, they are more reliable and takes fewer people.....this is a direct quote. IMHO, what we are seeing, as far a battery quality goes is nothing new....but a temp stop gap measure to gain a few $'s to keep stockholders and exec's compensation up.

Ok, I'll shut up now!!!! grin

 

The battery is dying from sulfation. Have them replace it under the warranty. Since 2011 these trucks have been equipped with BMS and it will not charge the battery unless parameters are met. This includes waiting until open loop to avoid loading the engine up. The system is also designed to engage the alternator on deceleration. Short trips don't let the alternator charge the battery.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, because I never paid much attention. The BMS was only on 3.7, 3.5 and 5.0 equipped trucks right? I know my 6.2 doesn't have the ring around the battery cables like all the other engines.

 

I just spoke with the service adviser, he stated that the dealer's tester isn't always perfect BUT, if I want a new battery, we'll certainly do that. The MC batteries are free replacement for the first 36 months and then prorated after that. I should come out pretty good as I'm just at the 48 moth point. So maybe $60.00 for a new one.

I kinda ripped him a little today because you can't just do a state inspection and then do a courtesy check on the battery and tell me that the battery that you installed failed and then let me drive away and say nothing. He's a damned Yankees fan anyway so he's used to getting ripped.

 

That's correct from what I know, the BMS is tied into the EPAS and senses load. The 6.2 was the only engine to keep standard rack and pinion steering.

 

That was my understanding also. I'm happy not to have either system.

 

Tim, Never trust a Yankees fan
I grew up a Red Sox Fan And will Die a Red Sox Fan.

Me too Russ

 

I have a 6.2L truck and my own load tester. I'm running a 6 year old optima red top (Sams club special $99). My trip to work is only 10 miles but I've always passed my load test. The original motorcraft battery leaked vapor around the positive terminal causing corrosion. The dealer would not replace the battery but would just clean the terminal. After 2 years of cleaning it myself (and spraying it with the anti-corrosion stuff), I threw it out and put in the optima. FWIW, I put a red top in my John Deere 4700 15 years ago and it's still running strong. I'm not claiming they are great batteries but I've had good luck with them and like AGM in general.

My one way 10mile trip to work is apparently enough on my 6.2L. My speed limits are pretty low so it's at least 15 mins of driving.

 

While it's certainly possible to damage a battery by overcharging it takes serious dedication, any battery will have its service life maximized by periodic boost charging with an external charger. A less expensive battery will likely outlive a top line battery with good maintenance.

Most conventional and sealed automotive start batteries fail due to permanent plate sulfation, long before their time due to chronic undercharge condition. High temperatures accelerate this process, and high parasitic loads from modern electronics, security systems etc. New batteries are "hard" and won't reach their potential current capacity or CCA until after several engine start cycles, set your new battery up for success in life with a slow overnight charge before installation and keep it topped off. The engine alternator cannot do this. A good battery charger will easily pay for itself.

 

FYI- Optima's use to be good batteries but was sold and all manufacturing shipped overseas......today (IMHO) they are no better or worse than any of the cheaper batteries (quality wise)