Parked for 3 weeks

[ppfd]

GF and I are heading out west end of the month. Going to leave the truck at her parents for our 3 week trip.
Should it be started a few times or you all think it would be fine just sitting?

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[AzScorpion]

Some have done this and it's been fine. Me personally I'd have it hooked to a maintainer so the battery doesn't drain or get low while you're gone. It will go into deep sleep mode after 14 days.

 

[Synfulz]

My wife bought my truck in the Philippines for me before I retired and arrived. So it sat for 4 months before I was able to finally sit in it. But I had her start and let it idle for about 15 minutes every couple of weeks. In 3 weeks one start surely wouldn't hurt.

 

[AzScorpion]

My wife bought my truck in the Philippines for me before I retired and arrived. So it sat for 4 months before I was able to finally sit in it. But I had her start and let it idle for about 15 minutes every couple of weeks. In 3 weeks one start surely wouldn't hurt.

My truck sat at the body shop for 12 days and my battery was dead as can be. This when I've always hooked it up to a maintainer 2-3 days a week on a battery that was 2 years old. I've got to the point where I don't trust these stock batteries if they sit longer than a few days now.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Might not be enough to charge it to spec, but you’re right, it won’t hurt.

 

[rmr76]

I'd agree with a battery maintainer. I have had to leave my Ranger at airport parking multiple times for 3 weeks due to business trips. Every time it did start but had the low battery warning. And every time at around the 2 week mark the FordPass app notified me it was shutting down to save battery. Other than that, the truck ran fine on the drive home.

 

[ppfd]

Thanks all, I will have her parents start it weekly then.

 

[CB750F]

I say test it. Let us know, will it start or will it be dead?
BTW, you can start it from your phone every week if you want?
Will idling charge the battery?

 

[puckdodger]

I say test it. Let us know, will it start or will it be dead?
BTW, you can start it from your phone every week if you want?
Will idling charge the battery?

i would think that should do the trick. amazing what technology can do sometimes.

 

[ctechbob]

I'd spend $29 on a Noco Genius1 and just hook it up and leave it.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Use your Ford app and set a weekly scheduled start.

It will start up and run for 15 minutes then shut back off.

You'll even get a notification on your phone that it started as requested.

 

[KJRR]

Use your Ford app and set a weekly scheduled start.

It will start up and run for 15 minutes then shut back off.

You'll even get a notification on your phone that it started as requested.

Pretty sure you have to physically start the car between scheduled starts so that would not work.

 

[Bionic]

I let mine sit all winter, never had an issue. Start it let it run 10 mins or so every month. I think after 3 app starts, i had to physically use the key to start it by hand though.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

I say test it. Let us know, will it start or will it be dead?
BTW, you can start it from your phone every week if you want?
Will idling charge the battery?

This is me too. I'd take advantage of the opportunity to see if it can go 3 weeks, assuming someone will be there when you return and have cables to give it a boost if needed.

Pretty sure you have to physically start the car between scheduled starts so that would not work.

It will start twice without needing to manually start it.

 

[RD_Kona]

I say test it. Let us know, will it start or will it be dead?

I just returned from a 14 day trip with my Ranger parked in the garage the entire time.

Started this morning with no hesitation.

We learned with my wife's Corvette that it's important to keep the FOB away from the car while it's sitting. Seems the car reads the FOB being nearby as a need to be ready to go. My FOB was a good distance from the garage and the truck was locked while we were away. YMMV.

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