Yesterday I went into my un-heated garage, temp was about 60 degrees below cold (actually about -12), and just for Ha-Ha's decided to check the voltage at the battery on the '05. This car was born on 3-14-05. I park it, and the Harley's, in the garage as soon as the first salt truck spreads any salt/sand on the roads and there it stays until we get some serious rain in the spring to wash the roads free of sand and salt, so in my area it's usually from sometime in Oct-Nov till Apr-May. I leave the hood unlatched, just in case I may have to charge/jump.

Anyhow, back to the battery, I have never had a charger or jumper cables of any type on the battery, the car is a bone stock, 6-speed vert, Nav, On-Star, F-55, XM, and R8C; and the only warranty issues have been a gas cap, and I complained to the dealer about FM static ( never use FM, but wanted to upgrade to play mp3's). I usually start or crank over the Vette's and HD's every month or so, just to circulate some oil and move the pistons and valve springs, last time this was done was the beginning of Jan. If I start them, I warm them to operating temps before shutting them down.

Back to the battery, I opened the hood, and checked the voltage at the terminals, 11.74 volts, proceeded to open the doors, hit the green button, and it fired right up. I realize that now that I've brought this up I'll probably suffer from DBS or something, but my question is; anyone else in my position? NOT having a problem?

I've read all of the horror stories about DBS, and multiple DBS, and the fact that you can't even park the C-6 for more than 21 days and you will have "normal" discharge enough to kill the battery, etc, etc. I don't think 11.74 is too bad after almost 2 months of sitting, considering the frigid temps we've have here lately. Mind you, I'm not complaining, just wondering if this is a "rare" case. Are there many others of you experiencing the same "Non-problem"?

Have a great day, and "Think Spring" (at least for those of us who put our cars up for the Winter)

 

Given the situation you describe you don't have DBS.

 

Two years and no problems period.

TRR

 

DBS happens in about 48 hours. If your radio red light is still blinking by day 3, you're good to go the distance. That being said, with all the electronic wizardry in our cars, you're good for roughly 3 weeks with a fresh battery in normal weather.

 

You have a normal car, in fact most are. If you are like me unlucky enought to have had a few DBS attacks, you would understand that.

DBS might affect 10% of the 05 6spds out there. Rest assured if you have it, its a big PITA.

To quote you below, because thats almost my exact words

" I park it, and the Harley's, in the garage as soon as the first salt truck spreads any salt/sand on the roads and there it stays until we get some serious rain in the spring to wash the roads free of sand and salt, so in my area it's usually from sometime in Oct-Nov till Apr-May. I leave the hood unlatched, just in case I may have to charge/jump."

Mine goes in garage in Nov. do to the sat & sand issue, but I have a Tender on the battery under the cover. My windows are down ANYTIME I park in my garage (a lot of times the top also, but not for the winter) It does make things easier if Mr. DBS comes to call.

My car will be on the road mid April, going straight to the dealer for the reflash. Do to serious medical problems my car went in garage much earlier last year, so I had to postpone the reflash

 

IMO if you can leave your car sitting in such cold temperatures for up to a month at a time....and it always fires-up....I wouldn't be concerned about DBS. Your battery, however, may simply be showing signs of age. I'd see what your readings are after you get back on the road regularly. It might just be time to buy a new battery in the Spring.

We have somewhat similarly equipped cars....I picked mine up on 3 March 2005. Although I don't experience the prolonged cold (it was 83 in Tucson yesterday) my car has been inactive for a several 2 to 3 week periods before. I've never had any battery issues and it always starts fine. My condolences for your long winter's hibernation. I hope you have an early Spring.

 

DELCO batteries aren't the best out there.Mine was fine for over a year,then It didn't have quite enough juice to start the car one night when it got real real cold here in upstate NY.I jumped it real quick,and ran it up to op temps and then shut it down and put a battery tender on it.Now it sits in the cold *** temps w/the tender on and it's fine as can be!That tender is a wonderful thing!!