What’s the ONE piece of advice you’d give to a new F150Lightning owner?

[mr.Magoo]

In my case, it was pouring out just below the steering wheel, but it would depend which was plugged.

Some are also reporting water dripping from headliner, near the sunroof buttons or, the microphone on the left.

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[RLXXI]

Do not use the cabin heater, ever, unless you absolutely need to, and then only for short periods. Multiple studies have shown that people are just as comfortable with a heated seat and a heated steering wheel. By far the biggest drain on the battery is a cabin heater.

Unless you have the newer Lightnings with a heat pump that uses a fraction of the power.

 

[truthlesshunter]

Do not use the cabin heater, ever, unless you absolutely need to, and then only for short periods. Multiple studies have shown that people are just as comfortable with a heated seat and a heated steering wheel. By far the biggest drain on the battery is a cabin heater.

please convince my wife of this

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Maybe new owners focus their attention on upgrades, like appearance, accessories, or modifications. While those choices shape the look and feel of a vehicle, long-term reliability and safety are often determined by basic maintenance habits that are easy to overlook.

Simple routines can make a meaningful difference, such as regularly checking tire condition and tire pressure, keeping the driver’s footwell clean to avoid interference with pedal operation, preventing dirt, sand, or moisture from accumulating inside the cabin or underbody, paying attention to the fit and safety of interior components, not just their appearance etc.
These details may seem minor at first, but over time, they directly affect driving safety, comfort, and vehicle lifespan.

We’d like to open this discussion to the community:

What car maintenance tip you'd like to give to a new owner?​

By sharing your advice, you’re helping create a practical knowledge base for new drivers and contributing to a safer, better driving experience for everyone in the forum.

Your experience could be the tip that helps someone avoid a costly mistake.

If I had to throw my "official" hat in the ring for the single most important piece of advice?

Set up (and memorize) your Backup Start Passcode.

We all love Phone as a Key, and it’s a game-changer when you get used to leaving the fob at home. But phones die, Bluetooth can play up for whatever reason, and sometimes technology just has a bad day.

Knowing you can always get into your truck with the SecuriCode keypad if your truck has it on the door pillar, and start it with the Backup Passcode on the center screen, is the ultimate peace of mind. It turns a potential "I'm stranded" panic moment into a "minor inconvenience" moment.

 

[jwrezz]

I had almost $2,500 in repairs for 2025 due to flooding in the truck, not covered by Ford. If they aren't kept clean water can drain into the cab of the truck, soaking the carpet and potentially damaging electronics.

How is the cleaning performed?

 

[Joe Dablock]

1. If you can't charge at home, I don't think an EV is really worth the trouble.

2. No matter how good a deal they are offering on a standard range EV, pass on it and get an extended range.

3. I have now accumulated 75K miles on my 22 MME and 53K miles on my 23 Lightning. Accept the fact that you will get frustrated on your first long distance trip, but it will get better.

4. On long distance trips do not assume that the vehicle NAV knows best. Check TESLA, Electrify America (AE), and other APs. If you think you have a better idea, you are probably right.

5. On long distance trips, color code mark Tesla, AE and any other provider charger locations on a road map so it will be easy to develop alternate charging options on the fly.

6. I always charge to 100% because I need to be able to drive 200 miles on a minutes notice and make it back home.

 

[norcalitguy]

Spend more and get the Flash trim. It's worth it. Skip on the XLT. I love my truck but I do wish I had splurged on the next trim up.

 

[sotek2345]

How is the cleaning performed?

My deal removed all of the seats and all of the carpet and padding in the cab. Completely dried out the cab, shampooed, rinsed, and fully dried everything and then but it back together. Pretty involved, but needed to avoid mold.

 

[BhamDCam]

My advice? Get a Lightning with the 360 cameras from the factory.

 

[explosive0]

Ford sup

If you have the sunroof, make sure you keep the drains clean regularly, even if you never open it!

This. Because Ford will try every possible way to gaslight you and not take responsibility. My leaking moonroof issue is still unresolved (part of arbitration, so we'll see where we land) but the dealer told me that ensuring the drain lines are unclogged is part of the owner responsibility, and if the drain line clogs and leaks into the cabin, it is the owner's fault.

 

[RipInPepz]

Dont expect to get anywhere near your full range in the dead of winter. With my ER, i have to stop and charge every ~ 140 miles on a road trip if im unplugging from the DCFC at 80% every time and hitting the road again, to not waste time with the limited charge rate above 80%.

 

[bc1]

Dont expect to get anywhere near your full range in the dead of winter. With my ER, i have to stop and charge every ~ 140 miles on a road trip if im unplugging from the DCFC at 80% every time and hitting the road again, to not waste time with the limited charge rate above 80%.

Agree on the winter mileage. However, I've found with the Tesla superchargers that the 80 to 85 to percent charge doesn't take more than another 15 to 20 minutes or so. At 90 they cut back way too much to hang around. They may cut back at 85, I don't remember. I usually go to 85-90 if on the road and I may be still over eating, etc.

 

[jwrezz]

My deal removed all of the seats and all of the carpet and padding in the cab. Completely dried out the cab, shampooed, rinsed, and fully dried everything and then but it back together. Pretty involved, but needed to avoid mold.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant how do you clean the drain lines for the sunroof. I know I had to help my sister with an issue in her Infinity and apparently that was a common problem and I also had something similar in my old Subaru. I'd like to find any tips as to how to clean the ones out in this lightning before anything bad happens!

 

[Lytning]

Ford sup

This. Because Ford will try every possible way to gaslight you and not take responsibility. My leaking moonroof issue is still unresolved (part of arbitration, so we'll see where we land) but the dealer told me that ensuring the drain lines are unclogged is part of the owner responsibility, and if the drain line clogs and leaks into the cabin, it is the owner's fault.

A few questions for @Ford Motor Company (and the arbitrator) regarding this issue:
1. Does the vehicle owner's manual include detailed instructions for cleaning the moonroof seals and drains?
2. Does Ford Scheduled Maintenance include cleaning the moonroof seals and drains?

 

[Pod]

Spend more and get the Flash trim. It's worth it. Skip on the XLT. I love my truck but I do wish I had splurged on the next trim up.

THIS 100%. I love my XLT but so wish I had sprung for Flash options. Would upgrade with the right PCO from Ford for us early adopters….hear us @Ford Motor Company (hi Brian)

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