Optima Battery ???
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,113
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
FWIW, I have a 2003 50th AE and i have a Optima Red Top in it, The number is 75/25 - SC75U and it came with a three year warranty? Been working OK for the last two years.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,518
Likes: 37
I'm not bashing Optima but here are some facts:
Optima has by far lower performance ratings than non-Optima batteries. Just stand in the store and look at the difference.
They are made differently with a spiral gel design and the benefit is they can work in any angle and with changing angles like IN A BOAT.
They have some less ability to leak. Leaking is a sensitive issue with the C5 because the battery is above the computer. Older stock C5 batteries on early C5s did leak sometimes. ANY modern battery is not likely to leak.
Some people like the way they look. Those who know what they are talking about know you made a poor choice.
If you are running a high end audio system get the highest rated battery you can find (and it will not be an Optima.)
No need at all for a deep cycle battery for an audio system unless you plan on running the audio system with the car off and running the battery dead. Deep cycle can tolerate that but again, who would do that?
Optima has by far lower performance ratings than non-Optima batteries. Just stand in the store and look at the difference.
They are made differently with a spiral gel design and the benefit is they can work in any angle and with changing angles like IN A BOAT.
They have some less ability to leak. Leaking is a sensitive issue with the C5 because the battery is above the computer. Older stock C5 batteries on early C5s did leak sometimes. ANY modern battery is not likely to leak.
Some people like the way they look. Those who know what they are talking about know you made a poor choice.
If you are running a high end audio system get the highest rated battery you can find (and it will not be an Optima.)
No need at all for a deep cycle battery for an audio system unless you plan on running the audio system with the car off and running the battery dead. Deep cycle can tolerate that but again, who would do that?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I have been using OPTIMA batteries in vehicles since before they were even available to the general public. Our fleet in AZ and a similar fleet in CO both tested the batteries for the manufacturer for summer heat and winter cold.
I've never had one fail in fleet use or personal use. My longest lasting red top was still going strong at seven years when I sold that vehicle. The buyer was still using the same red top two years later.
I have OPTIMA red tops in all of our current vehicles except our '07 Silverado. When the oem battery in that needs to be replaced, it'll get an OPTIMA.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases...
COSTCO 75/35 in my '04 Z16 since the day I bought it.
I've never had one fail in fleet use or personal use. My longest lasting red top was still going strong at seven years when I sold that vehicle. The buyer was still using the same red top two years later.
I have OPTIMA red tops in all of our current vehicles except our '07 Silverado. When the oem battery in that needs to be replaced, it'll get an OPTIMA.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases...
COSTCO 75/35 in my '04 Z16 since the day I bought it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
I have been using OPTIMA batteries in vehicles since before they were even available to the general public. Our fleet in AZ and a similar fleet in CO both tested the batteries for the manufacturer for summer heat and winter cold.
I've never had one fail in fleet use or personal use. My longest lasting red top was still going strong at seven years when I sold that vehicle. The buyer was still using the same red top two years later.
I have OPTIMA red tops in all of our current vehicles except our '07 Silverado. When the oem battery in that needs to be replaced, it'll get an OPTIMA.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases...
COSTCO 75/35 in my '04 Z16 since the day I bought it.
I've never had one fail in fleet use or personal use. My longest lasting red top was still going strong at seven years when I sold that vehicle. The buyer was still using the same red top two years later.
I have OPTIMA red tops in all of our current vehicles except our '07 Silverado. When the oem battery in that needs to be replaced, it'll get an OPTIMA.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases...
COSTCO 75/35 in my '04 Z16 since the day I bought it.
Thanks !
Toque
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,854
Likes: 8
From: Pearland, TX
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '20
No issue with the original hold down here. It is a bit particular about how it is clamped but once you get it secured you're good to go.
Mine sits for weeks without a battery tender and no problems
Mine sits for weeks without a battery tender and no problems
Last edited by Allzwell; Jan 12, 2009 at 10:05 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 34
From: King George Virginia
SAVE your self some heartache and buy a DieHard Automotive Battery, Platinum P-3 - Group Size 75/86DT. It will never leak and will never go dead for two years guaranteed. Yes it doesn't have RED TOP but it wont leave you stranded or leak on your PCM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 361
From: Midland TX
Been running a Red Top for the past 5 years on my DD - no problems here.
If the car has to sit more than a day, I put the CTEK on it.
One other thing I always do... when I have to take it to the dealership (as in two months ago for a 4 week motor swap) - the first thing I did was talk to the mechanic and I disconnected the battery myself once it was in the bay and told them that if they had to reconnect it, to disconnect it as soon as they were done testing since if a Red Top ever drains it will probably never come back all the way.
If the car has to sit more than a day, I put the CTEK on it.
One other thing I always do... when I have to take it to the dealership (as in two months ago for a 4 week motor swap) - the first thing I did was talk to the mechanic and I disconnected the battery myself once it was in the bay and told them that if they had to reconnect it, to disconnect it as soon as they were done testing since if a Red Top ever drains it will probably never come back all the way.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
I agree. I drank the Optima Kool Aid and ended up buying a Yellow Top. After repeated problems I moved to a Sears Platnium......excellent battery and no problems.
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