Tips for a newb

[Oaks]

Hello,

In May of this year I got a 2026 f350 lariat with the diesel 6.7 non high output (non-tremor I know I know). I got it to pull our boat and it has been astounding. Loved every second in that thing. Now that the season is over where I live (Utah) it’s not being driven much if at all. It currently has 2,250 miles on it and I am looking for tips to keep it tip top shape while it’ll be sitting maybe for a few months at a time. It is in a garage that usually doesn’t go below freezing.

Does it need a trickle charger? And if yes do I one for each battery? What is the recommended brand?

I have been using hot shot 7 in 1 everyday EDT. Is that sufficient enough for months of sitting? If not what else can I add and is it okay to mix different fuel additives?

I read something about draining water out before start up after long sits. After how long of sitting is that necessary? Leave it with a full tank?

I will be changing the oil every six ish months as I don’t think I’ll ever hit the mileage mark. Should I be changing the fuel filters at the same time as oil? I know the manual says every certain amount of miles but I won’t hit those.

Some have said to drive it for 30 minutes at freeway speeds. Is that necessary if it’s not being ran on short trips?

Is there anything else I would be missing to watch out for? I’d love to keep this truck forever. Thanks for any input and helping a newb. I did try to search these topics but the search function is not great. Lot of different opinions on other places. I want to hear from all you pros on here. Thanks!

 

[donmatteo]

I would put a trickle on the main battery and another on the secondary but just the main would be more than enough.

No need for additional additives. I would go with a full tank of Diesel and not fill the DEF until 1/2 though storage to refresh it.

I don't see a need to change the fuel filters unless they are due.

Might be worth checking with a dealership as they maintain trucks that sit on a lot for a long time.

I know my truck sat on a lot for 6 months and they changed the oil, added def and charged the battery every so often. They did start it to get it to connect to OASIS but that was every 3 months or something.

Also, drain the water from the fuel.

 

[The Evil Twin]

Does it need a trickle charger? And if yes do I one for each battery? What is the recommended brand?
Highly recommended. Do NOT use two of them unless you have one of the batteries completely disconnected from the truck.
I have been using hot shot 7 in 1 everyday EDT. Is that sufficient enough for months of sitting? If not what else can I add and is it okay to mix different fuel additives?
Fill the tank to full. It’ll be fine for 7 months. No additional additives needed unless you are using B20. Try not to use that anyway.
I read something about draining water out before start up after long sits. After how long of sitting is that necessary? Leave it with a full tank?
Let’s say condensation forms in the tank after sitting. The water separator isn’t going to collect that. You would need to let the low pressure pump run (key on engine off) to get the fuel to flow through it. TBH, I’ve never had condensation form in anything stored indoors.
I will be changing the oil every six ish months as I don’t think I’ll ever hit the mileage mark. Should I be changing the fuel filters at the same time as oil? I know the manual says every certain amount of miles but I won’t hit those.
Twice a year with that few miles is a waste of money and resources. But that’s a call for you to make. Annual oil changes are fine. Best bet is to change it before you store it and run the truck up to full operating temp. That circulates the fresh oil and cooks off any condensation in the intake and oil.
Some have said to drive it for 30 minutes at freeway speeds. Is that necessary if it’s not being ran on short trips?
If you don’t short-trip, no.
Is there anything else I would be missing to watch out for? I’d love to keep this truck forever. Thanks for any input and helping a newb. I did try to search these topics but the search function is not great. Lot of different opinions on other places. I want to hear from all you pros on here. Thanks!

 

[Canyon Trekker]

Hello,

In May of this year I got a 2026 f350 lariat with the diesel 6.7 non high output (non-tremor I know I know). I got it to pull our boat and it has been astounding. Loved every second in that thing. Now that the season is over where I live (Utah) it’s not being driven much if at all. It currently has 2,250 miles on it and I am looking for tips to keep it tip top shape while it’ll be sitting maybe for a few months at a time. It is in a garage that usually doesn’t go below freezing.

Does it need a trickle charger? And if yes do I one for each battery? What is the recommended brand?

I have been using hot shot 7 in 1 everyday EDT. Is that sufficient enough for months of sitting? If not what else can I add and is it okay to mix different fuel additives?

I read something about draining water out before start up after long sits. After how long of sitting is that necessary? Leave it with a full tank?

I will be changing the oil every six ish months as I don’t think I’ll ever hit the mileage mark. Should I be changing the fuel filters at the same time as oil? I know the manual says every certain amount of miles but I won’t hit those.

Some have said to drive it for 30 minutes at freeway speeds. Is that necessary if it’s not being ran on short trips?

Is there anything else I would be missing to watch out for? I’d love to keep this truck forever. Thanks for any input and helping a newb. I did try to search these topics but the search function is not great. Lot of different opinions on other places. I want to hear from all you pros on here. Thanks!

It's great to see you wanting to keep the truck in tip top shape. I'm a stickler when it comes to my truck and do all of the regular prescribed maintenance via a contract with Ford. I do not miss any appointment and describe anything that seems unusual. They always do a good job for me. I seldom put more than 5K miles on it before the oil change, and this is usually around one years' time. The computer lets me know it's due and generally; the oil is still brown, not black like most diesels are. It still gets changed.

One trickle charger only if you have a stock two battery setup. Two chargers will be useless. The batteries are in parallel and will both be maintained with one trickle charger. I would recommend the Noco 10A charger. Normally a 5A is sufficient but if you are in a cold environment, the batteries may discharge more than normal. This really depends on your usage of the truck as well. If it sits but you open the doors once in a while, the batteries will be taxed every time you open the door. Many circuits come alive when you do anything to the truck and will eventually time out; some requiring 20 minutes or more to time out. I used to have the 5A charger on mine and every once in a great while, the charger would go dead due to a surge. A surge is likely if the power goes off of the truck for a few days and the batteries get so low that when recovered, may cause an "over current surge" on the Noco charger, causing it to go into a safety shut down. I've had to disconnect the charger from the batteries and allow it to reset before it would charge again. I have not had this issue with the 10A version.

Periodically, you may get a message indicating a deep sleep of the system. This is normal whether you have a charger on it or not. It's part of the software program and is based on time, not charge. Some circuits will not work once this happens, and the truck must be started to refresh the timers. (Bed lights, 12V sockets, etc.)

Can't speak too much on additives, in California, the fuel is renewable diesel and already is equivalent to having additives. I don't use additives unless traveling outside of CA. Then I just use the Ford additive. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me and still covers the warranties.

Water will accumulate in the tank through condensation if you have a high cold to warm fluctuation. Keeping the tank full helps in this case but normally, if kept in a garage, you will likely have no issues. Ironically, you won't see the water in the filter until you run it. You do have an indicator should water accumulate.

Fuel filters last a very long time. If seldom driven, I would change it at the normal intervals. But if you are prone to having bad fuel where you're at, maybe shorten that cycle to about half. (Maybe around every 15,000 miles)

After sitting for a long time, it is always a good idea to do a long run just to keep everything moving. The 26 model has a constant DEF injection method that keeps the exhaust system healthy. The older model like mine has to be run long periodically to make sure the regen is complete. The 26 is constantly being checked. I don't believe these have the same issues as the older models.

Hope this helps.

 

[Vulet]

Hello,

In May of this year I got a 2026 f350 lariat with the diesel 6.7 non high output (non-tremor I know I know). I got it to pull our boat and it has been astounding. Loved every second in that thing. Now that the season is over where I live (Utah) it’s not being driven much if at all. It currently has 2,250 miles on it and I am looking for tips to keep it tip top shape while it’ll be sitting maybe for a few months at a time. It is in a garage that usually doesn’t go below freezing.

Does it need a trickle charger? And if yes do I one for each battery? What is the recommended brand?

I have been using hot shot 7 in 1 everyday EDT. Is that sufficient enough for months of sitting? If not what else can I add and is it okay to mix different fuel additives?

I read something about draining water out before start up after long sits. After how long of sitting is that necessary? Leave it with a full tank?

I will be changing the oil every six ish months as I don’t think I’ll ever hit the mileage mark. Should I be changing the fuel filters at the same time as oil? I know the manual says every certain amount of miles but I won’t hit those.

Some have said to drive it for 30 minutes at freeway speeds. Is that necessary if it’s not being ran on short trips?

Is there anything else I would be missing to watch out for? I’d love to keep this truck forever. Thanks for any input and helping a newb. I did try to search these topics but the search function is not great. Lot of different opinions on other places. I want to hear from all you pros on here. Thanks!

It took me 3 business days to read through this, pheww..

Anyways, to keep your 2026 F-350 6.7L Power Stroke in top shape during the winter, you should use a smart trickle charger, keep the fuel tank full, and take it for a highway drive every few weeks to protect the emissions system.

 

[The Evil Twin]

It took me 3 business days to read through this, pheww..

Anyways, to keep your 2026 F-350 6.7L Power Stroke in top shape during the winter, you should use a smart trickle charger, keep the fuel tank full, and take it for a highway drive every few weeks to protect the emissions system.

I’m going to deviate from your logic.
If the engine is not started, there is 0 benefit to running is every few weeks. Not for emissions equipment, not for engine nor trans.
Let it sit. No harm will be done.