battery question
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
battery question
My 04 is 3 years old , 34k on the clock and it still has the original battery. I am thinking I should go ahead and replace it know that it cant last much longer , should I ? And of course thinking of the red top??????I have not had a lick of problem from it but I dint want to either and I have a long trip coming up in about 10 weeks. 
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From: Plano Texas
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Yep, it's time for a new one.
Optima Red Top's are good options - there are others. Depends on your preference.
Optima Red Top's are good options - there are others. Depends on your preference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
Your 2004 is be a top post battery. If it is, you can get a much cheaper battery, like a Sears Diehard. The reason most people get a "Gel" or "Glass Mat" battery is due to leaking on the computer, BUT this leaking is only with side terminal batteries.
Short history, GM went to a Glass Mat battery to solve leaking on computer, but they had battery reliability problems, so they went to a top post battery.
BTW, overtorquing sidepost battery terminals can cause leaks. Use only 11 ft-lbs.
Short history, GM went to a Glass Mat battery to solve leaking on computer, but they had battery reliability problems, so they went to a top post battery.
BTW, overtorquing sidepost battery terminals can cause leaks. Use only 11 ft-lbs.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Feb 18, 2007 at 03:42 PM.
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I think your 2003 may be a top post battery. If it is, you can get a much cheaper battery, like a Sears Diehard. The reason most people get a "Gel" or "Glass Mat" battery is due to leaking on the computer, BUT this leaking is only with side terminal batteries.
Short history, GM went to a Glass Mat battery to solve leaking on computer, but they had battery reliability problems, so they went to a top post battery.
BTW, overtorquing sidepost battery terminals can cause leaks. Use only 11 ft-lbs.
Short history, GM went to a Glass Mat battery to solve leaking on computer, but they had battery reliability problems, so they went to a top post battery.
BTW, overtorquing sidepost battery terminals can cause leaks. Use only 11 ft-lbs.
hell, I use the wallyworld elchepo Everstart im my older cars and have had god luck with them but I theink the vette deserves better...
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From: Orland Park Illinois
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Yes, some of the Optimas lately have had problems as reported here on the forum. But, mine has been in the car for 5.5 years and still going strong. So not all of them are pieces of junk.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Sacramento California
I have a new AC Delco 6 yr battery in mine. I just prefer the stock appearance of the battery over the Optima and other aftermarket ones.
Just curious, why would you replace a battery afer only 3 yrs and 34K miles when it shows no signs of dying??
Just curious, why would you replace a battery afer only 3 yrs and 34K miles when it shows no signs of dying??
Last edited by C5-Dawg; Feb 18, 2007 at 11:10 AM.
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Cheap insurance , most of the aAC delco's I have had were lucky to make it past 2 years.
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From: Dyer IN
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I dont understand why so many people change there batteries so early. My 01 vette sometimes sits for 2 weeks between drives and it sits all winter. All i do is unhook the battery for winter hook it up and fire her up, never once a problem. My 97 cavalier has the origional delco battey my kid has the car at school, sits for 2 weeks sometimes in Chicago winter fires right up for him. 94 Camaro had origional battery until we changed it in 2002. I think many people change there batteries for no reason, IMO when my car sits for a week or so and the battery is dead Ill replace it. My boat is a 97 and this year the battery finally crapped out and its probally because we have a big stereo in it and the amps run the battery down alot while the boat isnt running
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From: Arroyo Grande CA
Burning Brakes
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From: Surprise Arizona
I dont understand why so many people change there batteries so early. My 01 vette sometimes sits for 2 weeks between drives and it sits all winter. All i do is unhook the battery for winter hook it up and fire her up, never once a problem. My 97 cavalier has the origional delco battey my kid has the car at school, sits for 2 weeks sometimes in Chicago winter fires right up for him. 94 Camaro had origional battery until we changed it in 2002. I think many people change there batteries for no reason, IMO when my car sits for a week or so and the battery is dead Ill replace it. My boat is a 97 and this year the battery finally crapped out and its probally because we have a big stereo in it and the amps run the battery down alot while the boat isnt running
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
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Take a look at this poll before you decide on a replacement.
Red Tops have their share of failures but no worse than others. AC Delcos don't look good based on this and the older ones were prone to leaks.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
Red Tops have their share of failures but no worse than others. AC Delcos don't look good based on this and the older ones were prone to leaks.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1469503
Le Mans Master
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From: Dyer IN
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I guess so im just a big fan of waiting till they die. I figure chicago winters cant be easy on a battery either. I think the biggest problem with batteries in vettes is many of us dont DD them so the cars sometimes sit for 2 weeks so if your battery is half way on its way out already it doesnt help when the car sits for 2 weeks
On a random note, tell me this isnt crazy. A buddy of mine had been looking for a beater and there was an old nissan sitting in this ladies driveway that hadnt moved in years the fender was all smashed in he went and talked to her she said 20 bucks and its his title and all. Had been about 4 years since the car moved put the key in the ignition it cranked slow but fired right up car was sitting 4 years battery still started the car 2 years later it still starts the car and its with him at school and sits outside for weekes sometimes
On a random note, tell me this isnt crazy. A buddy of mine had been looking for a beater and there was an old nissan sitting in this ladies driveway that hadnt moved in years the fender was all smashed in he went and talked to her she said 20 bucks and its his title and all. Had been about 4 years since the car moved put the key in the ignition it cranked slow but fired right up car was sitting 4 years battery still started the car 2 years later it still starts the car and its with him at school and sits outside for weekes sometimes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Memphis Tennessee
Four years and a month, 22k on the clock and the OEM gel side-post with no problems at all. Having bought a zillion batteries for cars, trucks. motorcycles, lawn tractors and motorhomes, I will return to Wally World and do business again.
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From: San Diego CA
I dont understand why so many people change there batteries so early. My 01 vette sometimes sits for 2 weeks between drives and it sits all winter. All i do is unhook the battery for winter hook it up and fire her up, never once a problem. My 97 cavalier has the origional delco battey my kid has the car at school, sits for 2 weeks sometimes in Chicago winter fires right up for him. 94 Camaro had origional battery until we changed it in 2002. I think many people change there batteries for no reason, IMO when my car sits for a week or so and the battery is dead Ill replace it. My boat is a 97 and this year the battery finally crapped out and its probally because we have a big stereo in it and the amps run the battery down alot while the boat isnt running
My OEM AC Delco battery is still performing perfectly after more than 5.5 years. Save your money for other things, your battery probably has another 3 years of life left. AC Delco has significantly improved their battery cases, leaking is a thing of the past. When My battery finally dies, I'm going with an AC Delco Professional - 50 month free replacement warranty - best in the industry.
Melting Slicks
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From: Montreal ** Enjoy the ride !!