Battery cover - 2020 Reserve

[Dwurz]

I bought a 2020 Reserve from a Lincoln dealer in August, 2023 and noticed it had the battery replaced 10/22. They showed me the service records listing that they had replaced the battery along with two tires.
I see that there is no battery thermal cover around the battery.

This car is under factory warranty until October 2024, plus 2 more years with another factory warranty.

Question: Should the dealer install a battery cover with no charge? (the battery and air filter housing must be removed)

I went to my local dealer and asked them if my car should have a battery cover and the service guy said Yes. He offered to order a battery cover for me, and it should cost me a little under $100.
Richard

 

[Mrob1]

I have a 20 Continental Reserve which still has the original battery. There is a thermal wrap around the battery as shown. I would see if the dealer who replaced the battery will install a wrap, since it is supposed to have it.

 

[Action]

I believe you are asking about a used car. Typically somewhere in the used car contract is a clause that states "AS IS WHERE IS".

It would be something I would ask your sales person. And expect the answer to be no. Who knows maybe the tech still has the old cover under a bench.

Warranties do not cover missing parts unless it is the new car warranty. A new car warranty covers defects in material and workmanship. A missing anything would be a fault in the workmanship.

When I bought my Navigator it was missing both the battery cover & wrap and missing the engine cover. The battery cover insulates the battery from temperatures. I would have it installed. On my Navigator it is not difficult after removing the battery cables. I bought a used one.

Action

 

[Dwurz]

Thanks, good points made.
I think I will just buy the thermal cover from Ford online and install it myself.
The car does have small nicks and chips like used cars usually have.
Thanks again,
Richard

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[Dwurz]

Well, I bought an OEM battery thermal cover - $32.00 from Ford Parts Giant. I will install it myself.

I understand that if I don't keep a 12 volt supply to the car when I unhook the battery, I will have problems. Also, if I install a new battery the Battery Management system needs to be programed.
Does anybody know for sure is all this is true?
Richard
2020 Reserve

 

[austin-tatious]

There is a section in the 2019 owner's manual called "Changing the 12v Battery" in the Maintenance section. It's also in the 03/19/20 digital manual (via the Lincoln Way app). Look for the same thing in your 2020 manual.

Note the last paragraph in that section says to disconnect the battery if you're not going to drive the car for > 30 days. I much prefer using a trickle charger.

 

[Vegascruiser]

It is recommended that the battery management system (BMS) be reset when the battery is replaced but it really isn't absolutely required. The BMS has intelligence to adapt battery charging to the condition of the battery as it ages. It extends the life of the battery and provides some fuel savings. When you reset the BMS to a new battery, it tells the BMS about the change to enable it to reset its charging parameters immediately. However, since the BMS is intelligently adaptive, if you don't reset it when changing the battery, the BMS will notice the change on its own and adapt within a few charging cycles to the correct charging parameters. Theoretically, not resetting the BMS could shorten the battery life slightly but as a practical matter, the effect on the battery of not resetting the BMS is negligible.

 

[Dwurz]

Thanks for the information. I can see that today's charging systems are very sophisticated.

When in install the battery cover I think I will just let the car sit at least overnight and let the BMS update itself.

I just received a 2020 Continental Service Manual DVD. I will read up before I install the new cover.

Thanks to all,
Richard

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