Battery recommendations
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 4
Battery recommendations
It looks like I"m going to have to replace the battery in my 2009 C6 Coupe (8000 miles and run for a little over 2 years). I had let the battery run out a couple of weeks ago and it seems not to be holding a charge any longer. Any recommendations on size / brand to replace with? How about the recomendations that the owners manual offers?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,574
Likes: 136
From: Simi Valley California
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'10, '15. '22-'23
I would go with the Optima yellow top. Hinson Supercars (forum vendor) has a good price ($145 shipping included). Then pick up a CTEK 3300 charger to maintain it. 
Last edited by C6 MoneyPit; Jul 25, 2010 at 12:08 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 472
Likes: 5
From: Austin Texas
If you can get it replaced for free, go for it. If you're looking to upgrade, you'll want one of the following:
http://www.optimabatteries.com/
- I suggest the yellow top - these have gotten bad reviews over the past 5 years or so, but supposedly have fixed all of their manufacturing problems. This will cost you around $170
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/
Heavy duty military-grade AGM batteries. Incredibly reliable (from what I've heard). Will cost you around $220
http://www.braillebattery.com/
Lightweight batteries. Not as much power storage as a regular battery, but very light. Will cost you $170-$2000 It has been reported that their no-weight battery line consists of rebadged deka batteries (motorcycle/atv AGM batteries) and you can save about $80 by going with a deka instead.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/
- I suggest the yellow top - these have gotten bad reviews over the past 5 years or so, but supposedly have fixed all of their manufacturing problems. This will cost you around $170
http://www.odysseybatteries.com/
Heavy duty military-grade AGM batteries. Incredibly reliable (from what I've heard). Will cost you around $220
http://www.braillebattery.com/
Lightweight batteries. Not as much power storage as a regular battery, but very light. Will cost you $170-$2000 It has been reported that their no-weight battery line consists of rebadged deka batteries (motorcycle/atv AGM batteries) and you can save about $80 by going with a deka instead.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Or just stop by AutoZone and pick up a Duralast battery. Lots cheaper and give good service.
Just checked AutoZone site.
Gold-Duralast, 8 yr warranty.............$95.00
Optima Red Top, 3 yr warranty........$180.00
Optima Yellow Top, 3 yr warranty.....$210.00
Just checked AutoZone site.
Gold-Duralast, 8 yr warranty.............$95.00
Optima Red Top, 3 yr warranty........$180.00
Optima Yellow Top, 3 yr warranty.....$210.00
Last edited by JoesC5; Jul 25, 2010 at 11:58 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
My yellow top lasted for less time than the OEM battery. For that reason I don't recommend it. Many people think better of the red top. I was so disgusted that I just went to Walmart and bought their battery for less than 1/2 the cost of the Optima. Works fine, but it has only been some number of months.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Despite that the Optima battery is popular here on the forum (and is no doubt a fine battery) I'm quite happy using a conventional battery. Guys I know at the auto parts store where they sell both Optima and conventional batteries said based on the old batteries they see returned, the Optima isn't worth the extra cost. I'm generally a believer in going with the best but I'm just not sure the Optima provides an increased service life that justifies its higher cost. I got 3.5+ years of faultless service from my OEM 'factory' battery. When it came time to replace it I opted for a top of the line conventional battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
The Duralast also has 3 year NO-PRO-RATE...Which on a Vette seems like a good bet.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
ah...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem PA
I tried getting my battery replaced under warranty (it had a bad cell, tested at Advance Auto). Every dealer I went to (I tried 3) wanted the car with the battery in it. The problem, of course, was that the battery wouldn't take or hold a charge, so I couldn't get the car to them for them to replace it. I was NOT going to have my car towed to a dealership for a stupid battery replacement. Round and round we went; I finally got annoyed enough to get a battery with a better warranty and be done with it. I'm not a fan of dealers, either.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
You should be able to get a free battery under warranty, sounds like a good deal to me.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 15
From: El Segundo California
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I went with a Bosch 90-520B from Pep Boys. Cost was $94.45 with tax and core return.
It's an exact replacement (Post are indented) as your OEM. Same size too.
It's an exact replacement (Post are indented) as your OEM. Same size too.