Had to jump the C5 today

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Feb 4, 2007 | 12:15 AM

napacruzerc5

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Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2003

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From: Napa Ca

Had to jump the C5 today

Drove the vette out of the garage and made a quick u-turn and parked back onto the driveway in order to detail it a little bit for a cruise before the GAME. When done I attmpted to start it up and got nothing but clicks. Damn. After a relay problem last fall which killed the Optima and a change to new battery, that really sucked. So I jumped it with my DD; started right up and went for a long drive to get the battery a chance to charge up. Tried to remember the last time I drove it for any great distance and remembered my wife and I took it to my cousin's for Christmas! So after a drive back at night with the lights doing a number on the battery, a couple of short drive arounds after washing and driving it out of the garage today the battery was out of juice. Then before going home, I got some gas and discovered that my last fill-up (I keep a log of all fill-ups) was on 10/28. No wonder the battery was weak. I promise I won't go that long again without going for a long drive.

Feb 4, 2007 | 12:23 AM

Dave68

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Joined: Dec 2000

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From: San Diego CA

You should make each "trip" at least 8 miles. I've been doing this since 01 and still have the OEM battery in the car. I'll bet it lasts over 6 years.

Feb 4, 2007 | 12:27 AM

NOS500

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 961

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From: Torrance CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave68

You should make each "trip" at least 8 miles. I've been doing this since 01 and still have the OEM battery in the car. I'll bet it lasts over 6 years.

The OEM battery in our 99 lasted until about a month ago. We only replaced the battery because we felt that it was a good idea but, the oem battery gave us no trouble.

Feb 4, 2007 | 01:29 AM

gpotski

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Ohio

Use a battery tender-plus when it sits...will keep the battery at the top.

Feb 4, 2007 | 02:21 AM

Steve Theodore

Melting Slicks

Joined: Apr 2000

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From: North Bend WA

I'm actually quite surprised at how good my OEM battery is, relative to other cars I've owned.

Feb 4, 2007 | 02:24 AM

SLPRC5

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

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From: American Canyon Lethal Injection

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpotski

Use a battery tender-plus when it sits...will keep the battery at the top.

good investment...Wal*Mart has a nice one..

Feb 4, 2007 | 02:27 AM

DeeGee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 2003

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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England

2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

The Vette is heavy on batteries. Its worth putting it on charge overnight to give it a good top up. If it subsequently holds the charge you may be OK and a few regular drives will keep it on its toes.

I see you have an 01. If its an older OEM AC Delco I'd change it on spec as its not worth the risk of a leak. if its a newer battery a battery tender would be a good plan. That way you know its held at full charge and it wont let you down once you leave the house.

I'm on my third battery. Red Tops don't like being discharged and thats how mine failed. My AC Delco just died - 8k miles, in regular use and no warning .

Last edited by DeeGee; Feb 4, 2007 at 02:32 AM.

Feb 4, 2007 | 02:51 AM

Z06-Nomad

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 1,077

Likes: 1

From: Greenville SC

Just a reminder for the AC Delco batteries, the "beginning of the end" and "the end" of the life of the battery, are very, very close. Sometimes so close they are one and the same....