Electrical accessory outlets

[RLMeadors]

Every car I've ever owned before had electrical accessory outlets (cigarette lighter outlets) that were depowered when the car was turned off. I bought this Fusion Hybrid Titanium almost 3 weeks ago and just discovered that the electrical accessory outlets remain powered when this car is off.

 

The reason I noticed it is that I have an ionic air purifier that I like to keep in my car. I had it plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet in my previous car (Hyundai Sonata) and I transferred it to my new Fusion from day one. I just noticed this morning as I walked up to the car (it had been off overnight) that the blue light on the air purifier was on before I got in. That got me into the owner's manual, where I found out that you're not supposed to leave anything plugged into these outlets when the car is off. I took the air purifier out today and will not be using it anymore.

 

Here's my question. Do you folks think that 3 weeks of having this (fairly low) draw on the battery over night (each night) has had any adverse effect on the battery or on any other components of the car?

[corncobs]

Interesting observation because we had this discussion before and it was determined that the 12V outlet do shut after some time. (70 min IIRC)

 

It's hard to tell if this caused problems with the battery. I don't think so since because the battery protection program is very conservative and causes BS (battery saver) messages if the SOC is to low.

 

The frequency of BS message also depends how far you drive every day giving the car enough time to recharge the 12V battery.

[hermans]

After being parked overnight try approaching the car without the key in you pocket and see if the device is still working. You have the Ti model which has intelligent access, meaning the car unlocks when you approach it, maybe it powers up the electrical ports.. I'm going to try this scenario out with my MKZh.

Edited July 3, 2014 by hermans

[Ryan Goodlett]

My experience with both my radar detector (hard wired into the 12v cigarette system next to USB plugs) and my phone charger (in the same plug) both turn off after a bit. My radar detector turns itself on every time I start my car. I don't have any experience with the one under the front dash.

[RLMeadors]

After being parked overnight try approaching the car without the key in you pocket and see if the device is still working. You have the Ti model which has intelligent access, meaning the car unlocks when you approach it, maybe it powers up the electrical ports.. I'm going to try this scenario out with my MKZh.

That's a good thought. I actually thought about that possibility and did try approaching the car without the keys about 5 minutes or so after I shut it down to see if the blue light on the air purifier was still on. It was. But I didn't try it after the car had been shut down longer like overnight. BTW, the outlet I was using is the one under the dash forward of the center console.

 

In any case, here are some excerpts from the "Auxillary Power Points" section of the owner's manual that make me think the outlets stay active even when the car is shut down for longer periods of time:

 

Note:

If used when the vehicle is not

running, the battery will discharge. There

may be insufficient power to restart your

vehicle.

Run the vehicle for full capacity use of the

power point. To prevent the battery from

discharging accidentally:

• Do not use the power point longer than

necessary when the vehicle is not

running.

• Do not leave devices plugged in

overnight or when you park your vehicle

for extended periods