JCtx

Hey gang, want to replace the battery on the '12 GS; just don't trust it. Dealer wants me to leave car for a day or two to test it, but rather pay for a new battery myself than doing that. Besides, I'm almost sure they'd say it's fine (has happened before).

Anyway, Duralast costs $124 and only has 600 CCA. Dealer wants $113 for a stocker (which is the same battery as the Malibu 4 cyl, go figure), which has 575 CCA, I believe. Which one would you buy? And if I have Autozone test it and it tests fine, is it a test we can fully trust? Thanks gang.

torquetube

I'm on my second Delco battery. The original one never died, but after about 4 years the car didn't fire up with quite the same ferocity so I hooked up a 'scope and observed excessive voltage drop while cranking. The new one has been in there about 3 years without incident.

Batteries seem to be manufactured under contract by shadowy OEMs so nobody can really vouch for them anyway. My personal experience with the Delcos has been fine, so I'd probably get that.

Why don't you trust the battery on your new car?

JCtx

Thank you for your comments. Well, car sat for over 5 months in a dealer's warehouse, and barely started when it was tested (another car just like it was completely dead). I know the battery is not 100% after all that time sitting discharging itself. And I don't know how many times it died before. But the main reason I don't trust it is car failed to start twice already. Car started at the next attempt both times, but you usually start seeing those weird electrical glitches when it starts to go. Tried a dealer once and said it was perfect, only to get stranded in the middle of a trip weeks later (and yes, I charge my batteries weekly in all my vehicles). That's why man.

Now, I don't like to waste my money, but is there a test that's truly accurate? I'm going to change that battery sooner rather than later, so my reasoning is might as well do it before something happens, but I'm open to all comments. I just don't quite understand how a battery can check perfect by a battery charger and a tester, and drop a cell soon thereafter. Maybe those electronic gremlins are signs one cell is about to drop. Finally, another battery that dropped a cell still cranked the engine fine, but every time I started the car the gauges cycled and the clock and other memory functions reset themselves. After changing the battery, everything went back to normal. However, I really doubt the same battery that you find on a 4-cyl Malibu would start a large V8 with the battery in the trunk with a bad cell, but maybe I'm wrong. Comments welcome.

AORoads

how do you charge your vehicles weekly? what do you use?

Nyvetteguy007

I went with an Optima Yellow top to replace my C6 battery after 4 years of use on the OEM battery...during those 4 years btw, never had any issues in winter when the car would sit for weeks without starting.....I have never had to use a trickle charger either on my old C5 or my current C6...

JCtx

I use a Battery Tender Plus most of the times. All my vehicles have a pigtail (including the Vette), so it takes seconds to hook them up. Also have the CTEK that came with the car, but it's more inconvenient to use, since I don't like closing the door over the cable. Or leaving the window open. But I always disconnect the trickle charger when the light turns green.

On the battery issue, I want an OEM-sized one so it fits and looks factory. Therefore, Optima is out, since they don't offer a drop-in replacement. Plus don't want to add any more weight. The stocker is fine, but want a new one (fully charged before using it) so I can trust it for many years.

taken19

You're worried about $11 on your $60-70k Corvette???

If you really don't trust the battery as stated in the original post, why not buy the better battery? If it were me, I would research and buy the best one I thought I needed. In most cases, there is usually a superior "aftermarket" replacement part that will outperform the stock one.

My $0.02

boraxman

Went with a new Delco after getting 5 yrs. out of the OE Delco/

jxhunte

My 06 Vette is e/w the original ACdelco Battery. I store the Vette in winter, usually from November through April, because of bad weather and roads. While in storage, the battery is connected to a $19.00 Battery Tender. I routinely test my battery using a Cen-Tech Digital Automotive Battery Analyzer purchased from Harbor Freight. I have a manual fan control which I use at the track between 1/4 mile passes. I have drained the battery, running my fan to the point where I had to jump the battery to get the car started. Even with this abuse, the battery still tests good and performs as new with no noticeable degradation. I have used my battery analyzer on other batteries that test less than 100%and were in fact bad and less than two years old. I have had batteries last less than 2 years and batteries that have lasted more than 7 years. However, once a battery begins to show signs weakness, they are not long for this world.

JoesC5

What is the warranty on the ACDelco OEM battery? On my Duralast 90DLG is is 3 years free and then another 5 years prorated(total of 8 years).

If you need a warranty replacement, is your battery dealer(car dealer or auto parts store) open on Sundays and spread all over the country? AutoZone stores are all over and open on Sundays.

dun4791

don't disconnect the tender after light turns green, it needs to stay connected and plugged in all the time

pit-man

I went to Optima Red top after seeing all the Acid that ran down on top of my computer from the stock battery. It took me quite awhile to clean it all off.

This is only my second battery since new, 2003. Red top going fine on year 4.

carpe dm

Bedouin

ElpJC, Even though it tests fine, if it failed during that 2 week trip & I'd think the dealer would replace it under warranty? If they're unwilling to, then a new replacement is inexpensive peace of mind.

I also think you should leave it connected to the Battery Tender continuoulsy. I've been been disconnecting my BT jr. after it's green (I drive it on weekends), as it kinda felt like overkill, but I now tend to agree w/ Carpedm & Dun4927 that it's best to leave it charging.

3 Z06ZR1

I bought the Duralast!

JCtx

What the heck are you talking about? I'm going to pay out of pocket for a new battery because I don't want to leave my car sitting at a dealer to attempt getting it covered under warranty, and am I worried about $11? Geez, talk about putting words in my mouth. By the way, I don't trust the battery that's IN MY CAR right now because it was discharged for months. I never said anything about not trusting a Delco.

That's not true. If I was going to be away for a month or two, yeah, I'd leave it connected since it's better than not charging the battery. But many argue it's not good to have the battery charged to such high voltages (14.3 I think) all the time, which can fry them too due to outgassing that can't be replenished (sealed). Since I'm around, I don't leave them connected, but to each his own. But I always fully charge the batteries on vehicles I don't use often before use (easier on the alternator too ).

Will probably go for the Delco, due to good reviews, cheaper, and for a factory look. Thank you folks.

Dave S

I got 6 years from the original Delco in my '05, but went to an Optima Red Top as a replacement.....got a special price thru a distributor that I couldn't pass up! No regrets on the Red Top.

dun4791

the battery tender maintains the battery as well as charges.....I don't remember ask the stages in the circuitry....but like you say, to each his own..good luck with the new battery.

fyi.....I still have the original battery out of my 06z purchased 1/05. it now resides in my 2000 sable. first six years of its life it was on a tender when it want being used. good luck with the new battery

glenB

I bought the one that had the longest free replacement policy

timd38

Warranty is a function of marketing, not product quality or performance.