Bad Optima Red Top Battery
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 9
From: Hobe Sound, FL & Highlands, NC
Bad Optima Red Top Battery
I bought a new Optima Red top battery from Advanced Auto parts, the battery is completely dead and will not show any voltage. They wont replace the battery without an ok from Optima. I bought it because they told me it was a direct replacement for 36 months with no questions asked. Now you have wait for approval. I knew not to buy one of these but did so anyway, guess you can say I didn't learn the 1st time.
They just called and said there is 2 bad cells and they are going to replace it. Guess my local Advanced Auto Parts came through after all. I will retract my negative post about them.
They just called and said there is 2 bad cells and they are going to replace it. Guess my local Advanced Auto Parts came through after all. I will retract my negative post about them.
Last edited by Legends47; Feb 18, 2010 at 02:51 PM. Reason: Additional information
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,475
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
I bought a new Optima Red top battery from Advanced Auto parts, the battery is completely dead and will not show any voltage. They wont replace the battery without an ok from Optima. I bought it because they told me it was a direct replacement for 36 months with no questions asked. Now you have wait for approval. I knew not to buy one of these but did so anyway, guess you can say I didn't learn the 1st time.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 9
From: Hobe Sound, FL & Highlands, NC
They just called and said there is 2 bad cells and they are going to replace it. Guess my local Advanced Auto Parts came through after all. I will retract my negative post about them
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,475
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Dammit....now I have to self destruct the SCUD missile I lauched at Advance Auto headquarters........
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
It's an Optima policy.
They will honor the warranty, but if you return the (dead) battery to the store, they have to attempt to charge it for 24hrs. It's not as simple as a "It's dead, here's your new one" replacement exchange like is the norm with other batteries.
Basically, it must be proven it's unrecoverable and will not take a charge before you will get a warranty replacement. And yes, that waiting game sucks when you need a battery "right now".
They will honor the warranty, but if you return the (dead) battery to the store, they have to attempt to charge it for 24hrs. It's not as simple as a "It's dead, here's your new one" replacement exchange like is the norm with other batteries.
Basically, it must be proven it's unrecoverable and will not take a charge before you will get a warranty replacement. And yes, that waiting game sucks when you need a battery "right now".
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
I have gone thru 2 red tops. One was dead like yours. The other actually boiled, you couldnt touch the case for hours. You could see that the top seal popped up and hear the battery bubbling.
In my opinion I wont buy another red top, but would yellow.
In my opinion I wont buy another red top, but would yellow.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
same here!
after putting up with 2 RED tops that kept dying I "Advanced" to a YELLOW TOP...and after 18 months, never a problem since! MY "Advance Store" had always "just checked, and replaced ON-the-SPOT..all of these "failure-to-launch" Red Tops..no charge, providing the change labor too" .... as far as I am convinced, the Optima Yellow Top is the only way to go with a C5...and, my Advance Store knows how to take care of a "customer"...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 27
From: Magnolia Greens NC
POS battery. I replaced two and so did my buddy. We are both using Sears Diehards now. No problems and half the price. 
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Optima batteries are overrated and overpriced in my opinion. Go with a nice AC/Delco 7 year Professional Series battery. They are excellent 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
