Thinking cap time....
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 261
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Thinking cap time....
Ok, Job 1 F350 with 37,000 miles. After a full nights rest in 30-40 degree tempertures I go out to start the truck for work and it barely cranks over, I mean barely. After my run to the office and throughout the remainder of the work day it starts fine with no issue. It seems like the batteries dont have enough jucie to crank it in the morning. I run the winter grade anti-gel cetane booster, and have fresh 15w motorcraft oil n the crankcase. I have no electronics that remain plugged in and I have not plugged the truck in yet, because I thought is wasnt cold enough yet. My first suspicion is the batteries, but in 2.5 years? seems awfully short life for supposed heavy duty batteries. So can you guys help? 
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2009
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I don't believe "Heavy Duty" is a reference to the longevity of the batteries, but rather to the performance ability required to start these beasts. It is fairly typical to experience the breakdown in battery performance during fall and early winter as lower temperatures put increased demands on them. The cause of "early" failures are related to extreme thermal cycles, complete drain cycles and even, perhaps, luck of the draw. I had a battery in my 325xi BMW that went almost 8 years, but car was always garaged and not exposed to extreme cold and heat. Good luck with yours.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 4
From: Ontario Canada
for sure you have a bad battery, i just went through this last week one bat said 105% and the other 45% although i did get the engine light on. the next morning start and stop 3 or 4 times in a row one after another. this is what i did and watch the screen mine said check braking system and then the engine light came on .
apparently low voltage will bring up these messages.
good luck
koboss
apparently low voltage will bring up these messages.
good luck
koboss
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 617
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From: Washington,KS/Lincoln,NE
I've got nearly 49K on my OEM tires and still appear to have many miles left As to the OEM batteries, 2.5 years is not long enough to say, but mine are going fine at this point.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
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From: Middle Tn.
My batteries made it just out of warranty but my tires at over 30,000 look like they may do another 30,000. Knock on wood. Pirelli scorpions.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
If the batteries are up to snuff than it will crank fairly easy. Last winter I spent the night in IL and it was -1 at the hotel. Started right up after the mandatory wait time.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
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From: Greenwood, SC
Well, maybe not then. My batteries are fine after 2.5 years and my original tires got me 42K. I just thought the Continental tires were silly on this truck, I could get stuck in the grass with those things.
-1 in Illinois! Holy cow, I'm glad I am working in Miami this week.
-1 in Illinois! Holy cow, I'm glad I am working in Miami this week.
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Senior User
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Based on everyone's response I am going to replace the batteries. Its one of those things you know, but need to make sure just in case. OK that being said, what do you reccomend I get for batteries? I live in south jersey and the coldest temp I will see will be 0 degrees in the dead of winter. Cost is not a big deal I just want the best.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: San Diego, CA
Based on everyone's response I am going to replace the batteries. Its one of those things you know, but need to make sure just in case. OK that being said, what do you reccomend I get for batteries? I live in south jersey and the coldest temp I will see will be 0 degrees in the dead of winter. Cost is not a big deal I just want the best.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 64
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Based on everyone's response I am going to replace the batteries. Its one of those things you know, but need to make sure just in case. OK that being said, what do you reccomend I get for batteries? I live in south jersey and the coldest temp I will see will be 0 degrees in the dead of winter. Cost is not a big deal I just want the best.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 113
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From: Viva Las Vegas
I had ford warranty both batterys. 08 job1 with 32k miles on it. In vegas due to the heat (like you northern guys) most places wont sell you a 5yr battery any more...its mostly 3yr now.
with all the electronics on these trucks it seems that batterys only last 2- 3 yrs anymore lot of memory stays on when its shut off..
that goes for most new cars and in fact I read that the big 3 are trying to go to a 48 volt? system. due to the requirements of the pcm's.
higher volts meant less heavy gauge wiring etc....
can't remember where I read that though....
with all the electronics on these trucks it seems that batterys only last 2- 3 yrs anymore lot of memory stays on when its shut off..
that goes for most new cars and in fact I read that the big 3 are trying to go to a 48 volt? system. due to the requirements of the pcm's.
higher volts meant less heavy gauge wiring etc....
can't remember where I read that though....
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 113
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From: Viva Las Vegas
I'm not sure if the OEM batteries follow the mileage (36 months) portion of the warranty or just the year (3 years) portion. But you said you'd had the truck 2.5 years and 37k miles, so take it to FORD and see if they will give you 2 more batteries. I had a problem with a battery on my F150 about 3 months before my warranty expired. FORD had no problem replacing it under warranty.
I was suprised to find that there covered 3yr or 36k miles...