Noob Owner, 4 Dumb Questions

[Shazamalingo]

If you don’t drive your Bronco frequently then you’ll probably get a low enough battery that the ASS won’t shut down the engine when you stop at traffic lights. I’ve had times where it took a 500+ mile trip before ASS started working.
The computer power consumption combined with the AGM battery seems to be sensitive to a lack of use.

Definitely. When I just drive around town for a few weeks, ASS stops. I don’t see any other symptoms though. Then, after a trip of 150-200 miles, the battery is charged up and ASS works again. Super sensitive….

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[Terry Tonka]

I have a 2021 first edition with new battery and alternator.
For the first 3 years I never had and issue with my battery.
About 6 or 8 months ago mine started going into battery save mode all of the time.
Now I but it on a trickle charger about one a week and it does fine or if I drive a long way it is fine, but I can't just drive around town like I used too. I was a Jeeper for 40 years and both of my daughters have Jeeps and were going to get a Bronco next time. Because of my issues that are staying with Jeeps. Ford quality sucks.

 

[Phil James]

Do I have to drive a certain amount every week for battery health? Concurrent with getting my 2025 Bronco I’ve moved to (relatively) small town Utah, and I now do as little highway driving as possible. Is this somehow a bad thing?

Do I ever have to wash the Bronco? In just a few weeks I’ve of course put a decent amount of off-road miles, and I’ve managed to collect a modest amount of mud, dirt, etc. in my wheel wells and undercarriage. I’ve only owned work trucks before and really never given washing them much a thought until I couldn’t see out the windows. Is there any functional reason to regularly wash this vehicle?

My new Goodyear Territory RT 35s sure pick up a lot of rocks. I’ve read the previous threads about the earlier GY’s and the paint chip complaints. The new RT’s throw their share of gravel, but I’m more worried about a puncture from the several dozen potentially sharp little buggers that are stuck in the tread after every time I go out. I’ve been plucking them out each time I get home. Am I nuts?

Last, is the FordPass app worth my time? I’m not sure I care much about reward points. Are there other benefits?

1. I'd first have said not to worry about the battery, but I spent time looking on the web and the answer apparently is at least one time a week for 20 to 30 miles. !!
2. I have never washed my Bronco. I often splash through mud puddles cuz I like the mud spray up my Oxford White side. :- )
3. You are nuts. The tread is a very thick part of the tire. If you get a flat, you have a spare. :- )
4. I enjoy the Ford App. I like the free location service and tire pressure and oil readings, and the lock/unlock is handy when I am inside and get paranoid about whether I locked it, though I don't use it otherwise. It's not a game changer, but I like it. :- )
That being said, I also have an AirTag on it.

 

[D Nico]

Every once in a while, your Bronco will respond nicely to being washed.

 

[wgw]

Do I have to drive a certain amount every week for battery health? Concurrent with getting my 2025 Bronco I’ve moved to (relatively) small town Utah, and I now do as little highway driving as possible. Is this somehow a bad thing?

Do I ever have to wash the Bronco? In just a few weeks I’ve of course put a decent amount of off-road miles, and I’ve managed to collect a modest amount of mud, dirt, etc. in my wheel wells and undercarriage. I’ve only owned work trucks before and really never given washing them much a thought until I couldn’t see out the windows. Is there any functional reason to regularly wash this vehicle?

My new Goodyear Territory RT 35s sure pick up a lot of rocks. I’ve read the previous threads about the earlier GY’s and the paint chip complaints. The new RT’s throw their share of gravel, but I’m more worried about a puncture from the several dozen potentially sharp little buggers that are stuck in the tread after every time I go out. I’ve been plucking them out each time I get home. Am I nuts?

Last, is the FordPass app worth my time? I’m not sure I care much about reward points. Are there other benefits?

Just my own opinion, first thing after off roading is a washing, think it helps , especially suspension stiuff, just my opinion, but ask most circle track dirt drivers and they do

 

[Sojourner]

Re: battery. Just put a Noco 2D in the engine compartment next to the battery and plug'er in when it's sitting.

I run a 6-ft extension cord from the Noco 2D to just behind the front bumper on the passenger side. This way I don't have to open the hood to plug it in. And I use this plug protector to protect the male end of the extension cord.

I have a Noco 2D on all my (Ford) vehicles and have yet to have any of the battery problems that are so frequently discussed on just about every Ford vehicle forum.

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