saplumr

I haven't heard of any such problems either. Mines been in for 4 years.

NVR LAT

Most of what I've heard is what I read right here on the Forum. The only first hand experience I have is a friend with an '05 (like mine) installed the Red Top Optima and it wouldn't hold a charge, he took the battery back and had it tested. The battery was bad. They replaced the battery for him at no charge. That was about a month ago, now he is having troubles again with it not holding a charge. He assumed that the battery was OK because it was new, and he couldn't believe he would have two bad batteries in a row, so he took his car to the mechanic to have the car checked out...the car checked out fine, it was again a bad battery. He's going to put a Delco battery in, so I could probably get you a good price on a slightly used Red Top (just kidding).

I wish I had technical data for you, but this is all I have. For me, it was enough to push me to the battery I trust...Delco.

ByByBMW

The Optima Red Top on my 05 died after two years. I replaced it with a Diehard Platinum. Sears said they didn't have the right one but they did. I never had an issue with the battery. The big downside to this battery is the cost. I think they run $150-$180. But they are essentially an Odyssey battery. I put one in my 05 Murano also and have had zero issues with it.

pahlbfishn

best for the money and just as good as all those other so called best batteries. Tried them all and Walmart batteries have never given me any problems.

Boomer111

I've had a Optima yellow top in my 96 4 Runner since the original one died. It was installed in the middle of 03 and I still have it. I run a RF amplifier in the vehicle that pulls 60 amps amps. stock alternator too. No problems.

Wayne O

I've never had any starting, electrical or battery related problems (even with my car sitting idle for weeks at a time and even after the dealership totally discharged it on one occasion). My OEM battery provided faultless service for 3+ years (which is typcial where I live). Despite the popularlity of the Optima battery here on the forum, I replaced my OEM battery with a conventional battery. My friends at the auto parts store where they sell various brands of batteries (including Optima) were unanimous in their opinion that the Optima battery wasn't worth the extra money. Based on returns and replacements they don't feel the Optima provides any better service.

Like glennhl below, I also buy batteries from AutoZone, Checker Auto, etc. For my C6 I bought the 'top of the line' conventional battery from AutoZone...it works well and has a great warranty.

I'm no battery expert but a racing friend of mine experienced problems resulting from one of those lightweight batteries. It saved weight but evidently is wasn't functioning quite the same as a conventional battery. It caused problems in his modified C6.

Batteries are maintenance items. With the high heat and extreme temperature variations here in the desert southwest, 3-4 years is pretty typical for any make battery. I consider 3-4 years a decent service life for a car battery.

hawkgfr

Any battery but an optima really. Die hard or Delco premium works well...

Eritosthenes

I don't disagree with those who went with the Optima Red Top. It's a fine battery. I chose to go with the Yellow Top because a deep discharge will not inflict the permanent capacity damage it would to a Red Top and all other non-deep-discharge batteries. As a rule of thumb, they will lose 10% of their storage capacities (and useful lives) every time they are completely discharged. You decide.

saplumr

The yellow top is a deep cycle battery and is best used on cars that are stored for long periods or you have big stereo accessories on while the car is off. I chose the red top because it is the better start battery and I keep a charger on mine trough the winter months so it's not an issue. The yellow would have to be charged after sitting for extended times also. In cold weather climate the red top is superior to yellow and you live in Chicago?

StanNH

My dealer strongly recommended the Yellow Top after my Delco failed twice. The Red Top has greater cranking power, but the Yellow Top has better reserve capacity, which is what most of us really need. The Delco lags far behind in both cranking power and reserve capacity. Either Optima would be a better choice than the Delco that comes with the car.

GotVett?

Good to know. And a little easier to get possibly. The Odyssey is recommended by a very good source here.

Eritosthenes

Oh really? For either case, why?

Define "better start battery". Take two batteries, one Yellow Top and any non-deep-discharge battery (even a Red Top). Now subject both to two complete discharges -- a fairly common occurrence for C6 owners. After recharging, which is the better start battery? Which will have the longer service life?

I live in Chicago??

saplumr

OK..you live in IL. I said if you store the car for long periods you probably should use yellow (if you don't use a charger). If you use a charger during that period the yellow has no advantage and the red has more cold cranking power. Don't have to take my word, it's written on the Optima website what each is best for.

ScottJ03

Yellow Top
Demand More from Your Vehicle?
The YellowTop® high-performance AGM battery is one of the only true dual-purpose automotive batteries available. With premium cranking power and unparalleled cycling capability (rechargeability), it is perfect for modern accessory-loaded vehicles. The YellowTop can repeatedly bounce back from deep power drains to full energy capacity, so it can power plenty of electronics and still start you up time after time. Lower internal resistance also provides more consistent power output and faster recharges.

Red Top
Gentlemen, Start Your Engines.
The OPTIMA® RedTop® high-performance AGM battery is the ultimate high-CCA starting battery designed to deliver the strongest 5-second ignition power for a reliable start-up every time. The RedTop will outperform and outlast traditional batteries in demanding cranking/starting applications. With unparalleled high power delivery and extreme resistance to the most common causes of battery failure, the RedTop is idea for trucks, SUV's, luxury cars, hot rods, off-road vehicles and other applications that require a leak-proof starting-only battery.

Since alot people store or drive weekends only would benefit from Yellow Top.

Buy yellow, no I am not biased.

jpee

100% BEST BATTERY I EVER HAD !!!

RtStuf

4thC4at60

Approaching 40 months with my OEM battery..... what's to complain about?

hawkgfr

That you didn't run out and spend 200 bucks on a pretty red or yellow battery..... (you decide...)

Grzldvt1

I only use Interstate, my last Interstate, in the C5, lasted almost 9 years, and failed slowly, so I knew it was going. My Delco in the C6, lasted 5 years, so I can't really complain about an OEM battery not lasting a decent amount of time. But I can complain about how fast it went down.
I came out to drive the car after a two week sitting and it would almost crank, but not quite. I charged it to FULL, Drove it to my shop - 15 miles away, and it was almost dead 4 hours later. It barely cranked the starter, but enough to catch. Drove it home, went back out the next day and it was completely dead.
Never had an Interstate die that quick.

I don't have time to search but I also thought I saw several posts in this section with several people having issues with Optimas.

ejbarre

I will have to go with OEM, when I need one. 51 months & 47,800 miles on my '06, knock on wood.