Interstate Battery Update
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
In 2001 Excide was fined big for dumping bad Die Hards on Sears, the Sears agent was also fined.
Interent search: problems with sears die hards.
Buying anything today is a crap shoot. I change out batteries all year long (used car dealership) and I use Interstate batteries.
The best OEM batteries are the Panasonics. Ten year life span in not uncommon.
American batteries with a normal use cycle last about as long as the mfgs claim. 5 year battery = 5 years.
I use Sears, Motorcraft, Interstate, Delco, etc with good or equal results.
Interent search: problems with sears die hards.
Buying anything today is a crap shoot. I change out batteries all year long (used car dealership) and I use Interstate batteries.
The best OEM batteries are the Panasonics. Ten year life span in not uncommon.
American batteries with a normal use cycle last about as long as the mfgs claim. 5 year battery = 5 years.
I use Sears, Motorcraft, Interstate, Delco, etc with good or equal results.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Interesting. I have always used Interstate batteries with no problems. I replaced the battery in the vette last fall, and this spring the battery would not hold a charge. I took it back to the dealer and they replaced it on the spot, no questions asked since it was within the 18 month replacement period. Battery works fine now. Good luck with your situation.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley CA
My battery has just failed too. (actually it's been bad for a while, but that's my fault - I haven't been driving it).
I was looking at the $60 batteries in WalMart, they are yellow and have a 3 year guarantee. Are these any good?
Also, since I hardly drive my corvette (leaving it sitting for 3-4 months at a time is common). What's the best way to keep the battery in good condition? Bear in mind that it's outside, so hooking up a trickle charger is impractical at best.
I was looking into one of those solar battery savers (I'm in Souther California) - has anyone used one with good results?
BatterySaver Plus
I was looking at the $60 batteries in WalMart, they are yellow and have a 3 year guarantee. Are these any good?
Also, since I hardly drive my corvette (leaving it sitting for 3-4 months at a time is common). What's the best way to keep the battery in good condition? Bear in mind that it's outside, so hooking up a trickle charger is impractical at best.
I was looking into one of those solar battery savers (I'm in Souther California) - has anyone used one with good results?
BatterySaver Plus
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
Originally Posted by Jim Nichols
It has a 75 month warranty. As I posted last week, after calling their 800 number, it took me 2 hours to have someone answer the phone, and all he could offer was the same phone numbers their automated number did. He finally transfered me to the warehouse wher a guy told me the battery would have to be charged at 12.4 volts for 72 hours before Johnson Controls would replace it for them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by rws.1
Redwing, I've never seen a Panasonic battery in the aftermarket...Do you kow if they are available and are there any national retailers that carry them?
I wonder if theres a panasonic.com.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
thanks,
It just struck me that we C4 owners seem to go through more batteries because we keep our cars longer. if there is a brand that gets 10 years battery life, it would be good to know.
I'll follow-up on your lead and see if it gets somewhere.
It just struck me that we C4 owners seem to go through more batteries because we keep our cars longer. if there is a brand that gets 10 years battery life, it would be good to know.
I'll follow-up on your lead and see if it gets somewhere.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
From: Sebastian Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Check MFG date before you buy, I bought a battery for my Volvo a couple of years ago at Discount Auto Parts, 4 months later it was dead. Took it to another Discount's and not till I produced the receipt did they replace the battery. Why, when I bought the battery the guy did not punch out the date and the date of manufacture was june 1999 and this was december 2003. I was telling this to the shop guy when I had my fuel pump replaced, he told me he has heard of many times, so look at the date before buying.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Macomb MI
Day 11 update
Still no battery and no conversation from Interstate on Day 11. The sad part of this really isn't about the battery or the dealers. It just seems that Interstate lacks any commitment to customer service. They are certainly dedicated to marketing and sales. Poor management?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 14
From: Gurley (Keel Mtn, Sweet Home) Alabama
Originally Posted by November Soul
My battery has just failed too. (actually it's been bad for a while, but that's my fault - I haven't been driving it).
I was looking at the $60 batteries in WalMart, they are yellow and have a 3 year guarantee. Are these any good?
Also, since I hardly drive my corvette (leaving it sitting for 3-4 months at a time is common). What's the best way to keep the battery in good condition? Bear in mind that it's outside, so hooking up a trickle charger is impractical at best.
I was looking into one of those solar battery savers (I'm in Souther California) - has anyone used one with good results?
BatterySaver Plus
I was looking at the $60 batteries in WalMart, they are yellow and have a 3 year guarantee. Are these any good?
Also, since I hardly drive my corvette (leaving it sitting for 3-4 months at a time is common). What's the best way to keep the battery in good condition? Bear in mind that it's outside, so hooking up a trickle charger is impractical at best.
I was looking into one of those solar battery savers (I'm in Souther California) - has anyone used one with good results?
BatterySaver Plus
Wally-world batteries come with a good warranty, 3 year replacement, 7 year life. And with receipt, Wally-world will stand behind its product. This past 6 months I had to replace two batteries: The original battery in my '97 Mustang GT died. I replaced it with an Energizer brand... 3 year replacement warranty, 10 year lifetime pro-rated replacement. In my Corvette I installed a Red Top Optima battery. For each, when not in use, I hook up a Battery Tender.
You can use one of these for your Vette as well, even though it is outside. You'll have to adapt by using an outdoor recepticle or build a makeshift container to house the Battery Tender and then run an all-weather extension cord to your garage. I'd think after 3 months your battery would be otherwise run down.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,047
Likes: 6,556
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
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From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,470
Likes: 2
From: levittown pa. usa Even a bad day with my `Vette, is better than a good day at work
St. Jude Donor '10
There should be absolutely no reason to have to wait for another battery. The local dealer should have replaced it on the spot. The Interstate Battery website clearly specifies the free replacement period depending on the model of the battery. According to their website. you don't need the original purchase receipt and the purhcase date should be on the battery. If you have their "Mega-Tron bttery, it will have an 18 MONTH free replacement warranty.
This is all
plain and simple. Call Interstate Customer Service at 1-888-772-3600 and tell them what the local dealer is doing. You should have gotten a new battery immediately or at least the next business day.
There is nothing special about a Corvette battery. It's a Group 75 battery and that is a relatively common group so any dealer should have them in stock.
This is all
plain and simple. Call Interstate Customer Service at 1-888-772-3600 and tell them what the local dealer is doing. You should have gotten a new battery immediately or at least the next business day.There is nothing special about a Corvette battery. It's a Group 75 battery and that is a relatively common group so any dealer should have them in stock.
, Its just a battery for pete`s sake. I`m sure they have a warehouse full of them!!!