Battery replacement advise
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
Battery replacement advise
My 2005 will turn 3yrs old in Oct and is still on its original battery. After reading all the horror stories of batteries going South around that age or earlier I'm considering some preventive maintenance by putting in an Optima red top now, even though the original battery is still working great. Stupid move or a wise decision?
Also, what setting, etc. do you loose when you disconnect the battery for a few minutes? Anything else to consider?
Also, what setting, etc. do you loose when you disconnect the battery for a few minutes? Anything else to consider?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1,187
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
You are probably getting to the end of your battery's life. Any good battery that matches your current battery's specifications will do the job. The feature that makes the Optima outstanding is that it is a gel cell batter and won't leak when it fails.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
So Optima is not the "perfect" battery like everyone says? It sure costs more so if I can get a new battery for half the cost of an Optima should I? The money is not the object, but no use wasting it if the difference isn't that great...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
I'm a fan of Wal-Mart batteries. 25-33% the cost of the Optima Yellow or Red. Great warranty and replacement allowance. However, the Optima does seem to be a status symbol for some.
BJK
BJK
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Preventative maintenance is often wise...a gram of prevention is worth a kilo of cure (go metric). 
Despite the numerous occasions when my car sat idle for weeks at a time and despite the dealership once totally 'killing' my battery it always worked perfectly. Eventually, after 3+ years of faultless service my OEM battery finally went bad.
I'm sure Optima batteries are fine but neither a mechanic I trust or the guys at the auto parts store (where they sell Optima batteries) felt the Optima was worth the extra cost.
I replaced my original, factory battery with a conventional battery and not just to save a few dollars. My conventional battery always worked fine and it had a decent service life. I just didn't feel any need to change to an Optima battery.
PS In sympathy to your avatar....
Despite the numerous occasions when my car sat idle for weeks at a time and despite the dealership once totally 'killing' my battery it always worked perfectly. Eventually, after 3+ years of faultless service my OEM battery finally went bad.
I'm sure Optima batteries are fine but neither a mechanic I trust or the guys at the auto parts store (where they sell Optima batteries) felt the Optima was worth the extra cost.
I replaced my original, factory battery with a conventional battery and not just to save a few dollars. My conventional battery always worked fine and it had a decent service life. I just didn't feel any need to change to an Optima battery.
PS In sympathy to your avatar....
Last edited by Wayne O; Aug 29, 2008 at 01:19 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
First, a battery going bad after three years isn't a horror story. Normal life is 5 years, some will go in three and some will go in seven. If it would be a huge inconvenience for you to find the battery dead some day, then its probably a good idea to replace it now. If you carry cables, jumping the car is not usually a big deal....so it might make sense to just use your perfectly good battery until it dies. This is what I would do, as its easy to find a jump if you have your own cables.
If you end up getting a new battery, you might consider the one at Costco, for $ 49.95, you could replace it much more often and still be ahead on money!
If you end up getting a new battery, you might consider the one at Costco, for $ 49.95, you could replace it much more often and still be ahead on money!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
Preventative maintenance is often wise...a gram of prevention is worth a kilo of cure (go metric).
Despite the numerous occasions when my car sat idle for weeks at a time and despite the dealership once totally 'killing' my battery it always worked perfectly. Eventually, after 3+ years of faultless service my OEM battery finally went bad.
I'm sure Optima batteries are fine but neither a mechanic I trust or the guys at the auto parts store (where they sell Optima batteries) felt the Optima was worth the extra cost.
I replaced my original, factory battery with a conventional battery and not just to save a few dollars. My conventional battery always worked fine and it had a decent service life. I just didn't feel any need to change to an Optima battery.
Despite the numerous occasions when my car sat idle for weeks at a time and despite the dealership once totally 'killing' my battery it always worked perfectly. Eventually, after 3+ years of faultless service my OEM battery finally went bad.
I'm sure Optima batteries are fine but neither a mechanic I trust or the guys at the auto parts store (where they sell Optima batteries) felt the Optima was worth the extra cost.
I replaced my original, factory battery with a conventional battery and not just to save a few dollars. My conventional battery always worked fine and it had a decent service life. I just didn't feel any need to change to an Optima battery.
BJK
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 25
From: Apache Junction AZ
First, a battery going bad after three years isn't a horror story. Normal life is 5 years, some will go in three and some will go in seven. If it would be a huge inconvenience for you to find the battery dead some day, then its probably a good idea to replace it now. If you carry cables, jumping the car is not usually a big deal....so it might make sense to just use your perfectly good battery until it dies. This is what I would do, as its easy to find a jump if you have your own cables.
If you end up getting a new battery, you might consider the one at Costco, for $ 49.95, you could replace it much more often and still be ahead on money!
If you end up getting a new battery, you might consider the one at Costco, for $ 49.95, you could replace it much more often and still be ahead on money!
BJK
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Lakewood CA
I've had the battery in my 07 Z06 disconnected for about two months and the only things lost were the trip odometer readings and fuel mileage average reading which reset to zero and you will have to re-index the windows.
I have a 99 Firebird Formula I use for a daily driver and I replaced the original AC battery after 8 years because it started leaking acid around one of the side terminals, it was still starting the car just fine. I must have been lucky and got an exceptionally good AC battery.
I believe you could take the battery to a place like Autozone and have a load test performed to determine the condition of your original battery to see if it is close to requiring replacement.
I have a 99 Firebird Formula I use for a daily driver and I replaced the original AC battery after 8 years because it started leaking acid around one of the side terminals, it was still starting the car just fine. I must have been lucky and got an exceptionally good AC battery.
I believe you could take the battery to a place like Autozone and have a load test performed to determine the condition of your original battery to see if it is close to requiring replacement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 129
From: Fairview Heights IL
You'll be happy with an Optima. Before you install it I recommend you take an old toothbrush with Dawn dishwashing detergent and lots of baking soda to the entire area where the battery lives, including the battery cables. Rinse carefully and allow everything to dry thoroughly. After you install your new battery the only thing you should have to do to your car is re-index the windows.
And maybe get a (white?) battery cover from Ed at Pipedreams.
And maybe get a (white?) battery cover from Ed at Pipedreams.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: The Great Pacific Northwest...........I carry a gun cause a cops too heavy.
I've tryed both the red and yellow topped Optima battires in the past in several different vehicles and was very disapointed in there preformance and longevity (or lack of).
A couple of years ago I switched to Orbital, these batteries are made by Excide and take the spiral core battery to the next level by incorperating gas recombinant technology.
So far the 2 Orbitals I have are far superior to the optima, soon the C6 will have a new orbital.
A couple of years ago I switched to Orbital, these batteries are made by Excide and take the spiral core battery to the next level by incorperating gas recombinant technology.
So far the 2 Orbitals I have are far superior to the optima, soon the C6 will have a new orbital.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,617
Likes: 13
From: Pasadena, CA
I just replaced mine with a Diehard. Whatever battery you get, make sure it's the right size. There's not a lot of room especially when it comes to replacing the cabin air filter, which is just to the top and rear fo the battery.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Austin Texas
I put a Yellowtop in my C6, and in about three months it started leaking fluid out of the top. I called Interstate battery, and was told: (QUOTE) a Yellowtop used in a starting capacity is a MIS-APPLICATION. The correct battery is a Redtop. (ENDQUOTE).
The Optima Yellowtop is a "deep-cycle" battery and can take repeated deep draw-downs without losing its ablity to be recharged. HOWEVER...the Optima Yellowtop is NOT intended to be a starting battery. It is intended to power accessories, and cannot handle the huge current draw needed during startup. (Interstate Battery: 1-888-772-3600)
Please keep in mind I am merely stating what customer service at Interstate Battery (1-888-772-3600) told me. If you get a different answer, please let me know. Thank you.
The Optima Yellowtop is a "deep-cycle" battery and can take repeated deep draw-downs without losing its ablity to be recharged. HOWEVER...the Optima Yellowtop is NOT intended to be a starting battery. It is intended to power accessories, and cannot handle the huge current draw needed during startup. (Interstate Battery: 1-888-772-3600)
Please keep in mind I am merely stating what customer service at Interstate Battery (1-888-772-3600) told me. If you get a different answer, please let me know. Thank you.
PHOTOSHOP SPECIALIST
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 16,433
Likes: 40
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I put a Yellowtop in my C6, and in about three months it started leaking fluid out of the top. I called Interstate battery, and was told: (QUOTE) a Yellowtop used in a starting capacity is a MIS-APPLICATION. The correct battery is a Redtop. (ENDQUOTE).
The Optima Yellowtop is a "deep-cycle" battery and can take repeated deep draw-downs without losing its ablity to be recharged. HOWEVER...the Optima Yellowtop is NOT intended to be a starting battery. It is intended to power accessories, and cannot handle the huge current draw needed during startup. (Interstate Battery: 1-888-772-3600)
Please keep in mind I am merely stating what customer service at Interstate Battery (1-888-772-3600) told me. If you get a different answer, please let me know. Thank you.
The Optima Yellowtop is a "deep-cycle" battery and can take repeated deep draw-downs without losing its ablity to be recharged. HOWEVER...the Optima Yellowtop is NOT intended to be a starting battery. It is intended to power accessories, and cannot handle the huge current draw needed during startup. (Interstate Battery: 1-888-772-3600)
Please keep in mind I am merely stating what customer service at Interstate Battery (1-888-772-3600) told me. If you get a different answer, please let me know. Thank you.
Perhaps they were being a bit biased.
Information and specifications on Optima Batteries can be found at this link:
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/
Make your own decision - purchase whichever brand of battery you want.
