The OEM battery in my 2001 Z06 lasted three years. When it went out I replaced it with a red top. Two years later the red top goes bad and I replace it with another red top. Another two years goes by and the second red top will not hold a charge for more than a week. Where to turn to now. I like having a dry cell battery, but having batteries fail, is especially bad on this car, as the electronics definitely don't like it. As a result of the battery going bad, I have had steering column lock occur three times in the last month.

This is despite Mr Goodwrench supposedly removing the steering column lock for me.

 

Hello, There is so much discussion about batteries, mine didn't last, mine did, etc. The main thing you have to know about auto batteries is that if you use it daily or at least a few times weekly sufficiently to keep it charged, it is just neccessary to keep the terminals clean and add water when needed, unless it is a gel type, than just keep the terminals clean. On the other hand if you use it less often and let the car sit for weeks at a time between charging it will not last as long. This is due to sulphation, which robs the plates of the ability to hold a charge. A car that sits with the battery connected is always draining the battery, even if just a small amount, to keep the computer memories, clocks, and radio memories going. And in a few weeks the battery will fall below it's optimum charge to protect itself from sulphation. Once sulphation starts it escalates, and eventually the battery won't hold enough charge to start the car. Lack of use is worse for the battery than using it more often. Bottom line is , if you fall into the category of using the car infrequently Use a battery maintainer between usage. Most batteries will last well past their warranty periods if you follow that idea. I had a normal motorcraft water type battery in a mustang show car that was only used hundreds of miles a year. By using a battery maintainer on it the battery lasted 13 years and would still start the car. I've never had a battery last less than 6 to 8 years on any of my cars in recent memory by doing the proper maintenence.
As for what type of battery is best, they are all a compromise.
Gel types are best for cleanliness, they don't outgas and or leak, that is best for the corvette because of the computer and wire locations. But that being said the gel type are worst for longevity because you can't add water and desulphate as you can with a water type, And the gel type is very sensitive to undercharge and sulphation. I personally like delco batteries, and have never had any problems with them, in fact I have one that is 9 years old that I still use, and keep it plugged in when I'm not using it, now I do know they had a problem with some leaking ones, back a few years, but that problem was solved with a better design for the case and terminal area. I also have used redtop from optima, and have had no problem with them, but you will have a problem with them if you don't maintain a full charge on them.
My humble suggestion to the poster would be to get the proper Delco, sealed battery for cleanliness and if you don't use it often keep it plugged in and unless there is something wrong with your charging system it should last at least as long as it's warranty.
Hope I wasn't to long winded, just trying to help anyone that doesn't understand why some people are having problems with their batteries.
Good Luck

 

Optima sucks, didn't last. Went to Costco for a conventional
72 mo. 850 cca. Bought a float charger for downtime and am good to go.

 

Put a Optima in today and feel much better. Seems like Cheap insurance to me.

 

I have an '02 and the Red top that was installed in Spring of '04 had to be replaced in Summer of '06.
This time I went with an Exide Orbital 1000 Amps/108 month warranty.

 

I'll be replacing mine with an AC Delco.

 

AC Delco in my S-10 litterally exploded showering the eng compartment with B acid Dealer came to my house picked up the truck detailed the under hood replaced the battery cleaned the driceway and gave me a free oil change. However I do purchase a new truck every few years. I was a real ***** about It being a saftey issue. red tops have had their issues lately go red top for the ovious issues no leak I hear the wireing harness and computer can be expensive to replace much more than the battery cost. also it can handle being parked for a few hours with the 800W tunes cranking away. 3 year warantee on red top 1 year on yell or blue..& thats free replacement.