Updated
Thought to summarize the discussions on 12 V battery drainage. Please point out mistakes.
Bottom line when not driving
Thought to summarize the discussions on 12 V battery drainage. Please point out mistakes.
- the 12 V battery is lower capacity than expected in a similar size class ICE because it doesn’t have to crank an engine. This means it is more susceptible to being drained and fatally damaged
- The 12 V is a 60 Ah battery. However, common advice for lead acid batteries is not have them prolonged below 50% of charge capacity so to be very cautious, the effective total power delivery (capacity) is 30 Ah whereas a similar size ICE would have a 45 Ah capacity. That's a third less power capacity than we are used to with an ICE.
- the I5 wakes and uses the 12 V when sending Bluelink notifications, doors open and plugged-in accessories communicate with it (e.g., wireless AirPlay devices trying to communicate with phones). This uses the 12 V.
- Using Accessories mode drains the 12 V battery. Use Utility mode which uses the traction battery if prolonged use of radio and other conveniences is needed. It can be challenging to know if in Accessories or Utility mode.
- Some third-party applications that use Bluelink can cause excessive waking of the car and drain the battery.
- Some think shipping cars for a long time across oceans resulted in battery draw and damage to the 12 V.
- the traction battery recharges the 12 V if the SOC is greater than 35% and the battery voltage approaches 12.1 V. It would be better if charging occurred at 12.3 V than so low to critical. The car tries 10 times to lift voltage and then stops until reset when the car is driven. One poster notes their car charges when below 35 % SOC.
- the 12 V won’t recharge with the lift gate open
- the front USB powers for longer when the car is off than other ports and accessories plugged into it will use power
- The 12 V sockets do not provide power when the car is off
- Some OBD scanners will draw power while the car is off, the same goes for battery monitors if they draw power while the car is off. We love our tech devices but they use power
- lights left on will draw power
- operating the power lift gate more than 5 times with the car off is a huge power draw
- 12 V won’t charge with lift gate or hood open
- having the car in Accessories mode is a major power draw
- there are some reports of parasitic power drain by the head unit and charging door
- a portable charge that many use is a NOCO GB40
- The 12 V battery will be damaged if the charge is 12 V or less. This is why the car charges the battery when approaching 12.1 V
- if a battery is drained very low it can be fatally damaged, especially in freezing conditions. A battery load test is recommended to insure continuing drain issues aren’t because of damage
Bottom line when not driving
- there is less power capacity (about 1/3 less) in the 12 V than we expect from a similar ICE
- it’s easier therefore to draw the charge down to damage the battery
- limit the use of Accessories mode
- For caution, keep SOC above 35%
- remove any plugged-in accessories from USB, data port and battery
- limit the need for the car to send Bluelink notifications when off (e.g., unlocked door notifications)
- eliminate third-party application use of Bluelink
- have all doors, hood and lift gate closed
- have all lights off
- limit occasions car wakes up such as walking by with FOB in pocket or using Bluelink
- load test battery if voltage has fallen repeatedly below 12 V or a concern it doesn’t hold a charge
- if all above doesn’t work then bring in for servicing