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This new updated app is getting nothing but bad reviews. My truck hasn't been started in 3 days yet the app shows it "running".
My Escape is on my app too, and it shows "running", won't let me turn it off, and been this way for weeks. I hoped it would correct itself, but I think I'll have to remove that vehicle from the app.
Got that alert telling me to drive the vehicle to refresh status. If I do a health check on the app (no clue what it checks) all shows no issues.
Battery is 2 years old. Maybe time for a new one?
The message means it's cut off some of the "nice to have" features in order to ensure you still have plenty of battery charge for your next start. It could be a legit message and you really do need a long drive to get a good charge on your battery. A battery maintainer, batteryminder, etc, is what I use occasionally. Some of my vehicles only get driven 15 minutes to destination, and 15 minutes back, a couple times per week. With the constant draw on the battery from all the electronics these days, that slowing drains the battery and it doesn't get a deep charge often enough. A deep charge every month or so, or a long drive (hour(s)) get things back in order.
This is just a data point. I don’t know what causes it, but I used to get this message somewhat frequently when the truck was new. I never get the message now. I had thought it might have to do with me using aux power to check out all the features, and proximity sense, welcome lighting, and fuel pump prime kicking on as I walked around the truck with the fob checking things out.
I am struggling with this on a '21 FX4. Was going to take it to the dealer but should I wait for an update to correct this? Did Ford issue a TSB for this then? Had the truck for 5 months and this just started 2 weeks ago. I work from home and only drive it 2 times a week and not for much more than 30 minutes a ride. I refuse to drive it just to keep this from happening.
I am struggling with this on a '21 FX4. Was going to take it to the dealer but should I wait for an update to correct this? Did Ford issue a TSB for this then? Had the truck for 5 months and this just started 2 weeks ago. I work from home and only drive it 2 times a week and not for much more than 30 minutes a ride. I refuse to drive it just to keep this from happening.
The Battery Management System is trying to prevent your vehicle from excessive discharge, and is shutting certain 'unimportant' systems off.
If you are draining the battery more than it can charge itself, it will go into "saver mode".
This will happen sooner as the battery gets older.
You could have the battery checked out to make sure it's still good. You can hook the battery to a [good] trickle charger/maintainer when not in use ---> good advice for any vehicle that doesn't get used much.
Not convinced waiting for an app update is a winning strategy here; the app & BMS are likely doing exactly what they're supposed to.
My 2019 used to do that, my 2018 F150 did it too. The battery monitor in the truck triggers it and sends it to your fordpass app. If you want to verify, just get in the truck and turn the radio on. If it plays for the timer set at, then its probably a false alert. If the battery monitor is correct, the radio will play for a bit before being shut down with a message on the screen about the battery. No need to waste time at a dealer for this. The BSM is pretty smart and knows when it is time for a replacement.
I was out of town for 7 days and I got the drive your truck message. Why did I add a 250 amp alternator to my build if it can't charge my battery any faster than the base alternator? Fuel cost money just to go joy ride, just to charge the battery.
The Battery Management System is trying to prevent your vehicle from excessive discharge, and is shutting certain 'unimportant' systems off.
If you are draining the battery more than it can charge itself, it will go into "saver mode".
This will happen sooner as the battery gets older.
You could have the battery checked out to make sure it's still good. You can hook the battery to a [good] trickle charger/maintainer when not in use ---> good advice for any vehicle that doesn't get used much.
Not convinced waiting for an app update is a winning strategy here; the app & BMS are likely doing exactly what they're supposed to.
Thanks for the reply. I wish I didn't check other forums because it seems many 2011-2013s have this and Ford didn't have a fix at the time. Many batteries changed and the message back the next day. Many of the 2013 owners removed the negative cable's BMS connection and issue resolved instantly. I would rather not do that yet. My truck is stock and I do not do anything like sit with truck off/radio on ever so this does not seem normal. Bought it used in '24 so I do not think the battery is covered. I put a multi meter on it and read 14.2V running. I don't see many complaints from 2020 and later model owners either so will place a charger on it and also trickle charge since I do not use it daily.