Battery?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
My 2005 does not hibernate during the winter but it occasionally sits unused for weeks at a time. I've never used a battery tender and I've never experienced starting, battery or electrical issues. If I lived where I moth-balled the car for months on-end I would likely buy a battery tender and put it on life support.
As noted, some C6's do suffer from unusual battery drain (sometimes referred to as "DBS"....dead battery syndrome). It's no consolation if you have the problem but I tend to think the problem affects only a minority of cars. IMO unless you're storing the car for the winter (and not driving it at all) I wouldn't worry about it. See what happens. If your driving routine necessitates a battery tender you'll know at some point.
Good luck!
As noted, some C6's do suffer from unusual battery drain (sometimes referred to as "DBS"....dead battery syndrome). It's no consolation if you have the problem but I tend to think the problem affects only a minority of cars. IMO unless you're storing the car for the winter (and not driving it at all) I wouldn't worry about it. See what happens. If your driving routine necessitates a battery tender you'll know at some point.
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: Roseville Minnesota
Welcome to the forum Tim.
If you are ordering a new Corvette consider getting the Battery Protection Package from the factory:
RPO Code: ERI Battery Protection Package $100
If you are ordering a new Corvette consider getting the Battery Protection Package from the factory:
RPO Code: ERI Battery Protection Package $100
Last edited by jwstegbauer; Mar 29, 2012 at 01:22 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 88
Likes: 29
Had the same problem when I bought my 08. After sitting for two weeks, had trouble starting it. Bought a battery tender and have not had the problem again. Car sat in the garage for 30 days once without being started. Came home from my trip and the car started right up.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Salem NH
Just took my 05 out from winter hibernation. 3-year old battery hooked to a battery tender and she cranked up on the first push of the button. CF members have documented DBS for years but not my personal experience.
Get out and drive it!
Get out and drive it!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,466
Likes: 104
From: Texas
Here is a direct answer instead of all the BS you just read....YES, the Corvettes has a sucky battery problem. I am man enough to admit that the Corvette is not perfect and other cars have things that are better...speed is not one of them...LOL
NO, dont get the battery protection plan ...for $100 why? a battery cost approx. < 100 dollars...LOL...waste of money.
I have a 2008 and yes I had to change it out but only once....
I also have a dodge POS SRT4 and never changed the battery ...and its a 2004 so SRT4 and Mustang > then Vette ( from a battery standpoint)....
NO, dont get the battery protection plan ...for $100 why? a battery cost approx. < 100 dollars...LOL...waste of money.
I have a 2008 and yes I had to change it out but only once....
I also have a dodge POS SRT4 and never changed the battery ...and its a 2004 so SRT4 and Mustang > then Vette ( from a battery standpoint)....
Last edited by Cor430vette; Apr 1, 2012 at 12:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,394
Likes: 281
From: cumming ga
I've never used a battery tender my 2012 z06 sit for 8 weeks because of cast on foot. No problem starting I've had 29 vetts and never had a dead battery and mine sit for long peroids since I don't drive them in rain I do get caught in rain on vacation and such.
z51vett
z51vett
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 366
Likes: 4
From: Roseville Minnesota
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 406
From: Syracuse New York
My comment wasn't meant to be sarcastic!! I'm waiting on my first Vette order and trying to educate myself on the intricacies of owning one and not making mistakes of first time owners. But if Bulls**t responses are what I'm gonna get I don't have to participate in this forum.
Some guys just delight in being rude, insulting and childish, but we're not all that way. If you don't want to answer the question, don't post. Getting back to the question, I've heard some have issues, most don't. With mine, if I'm not planning on driving it for a few days, I plug in the CTek (I use the "comfort connect", run the cord out the passenger door and plug it in), no issues for me even after winter storage. The new Vettes do have a lot of electronics though, so there's always that chance. Like I said, we're not all sarcastic d***s, good luck with the new Vette.
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 694
Likes: 3
From: West Linn OR
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 406
From: Syracuse New York
This is the easiest, most foolproof way of keeping things all charged up and ready to roll. Plug it into either the cig outlet or an aux outlet that's always hot, run the cord out the passenger door rain slot and put the CTek on a small table next to a wall outlet. I think I paid about $70 for my CTek from a forum vendor, and no issues at all.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The battery problem is not unique to C6's. Many modern cars with similar levels of electronic complexity/computers have the same requirement of a battery maintainer.
3 popular brands are CTEK, Deltran and Schumacher. All are very good and all can be connected using the lighter socket which IMHO, is the simplest and safest way to do it.
This is a cheap and easy way of keeping your battery charged and, again IMO you should connect it anytime the car is going to sit for more than 2 weeks.
I'm still on my OEM '06 Delco, but it's showing signs of degeneration.
Congrats on the new car.
3 popular brands are CTEK, Deltran and Schumacher. All are very good and all can be connected using the lighter socket which IMHO, is the simplest and safest way to do it.
This is a cheap and easy way of keeping your battery charged and, again IMO you should connect it anytime the car is going to sit for more than 2 weeks.
I'm still on my OEM '06 Delco, but it's showing signs of degeneration.
Congrats on the new car.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: lakeville mass
My comment wasn't meant to be sarcastic!! I'm waiting on my first Vette order and trying to educate myself on the intricacies of owning one and not making mistakes of first time owners. But if Bulls**t responses are what I'm gonna get I don't have to participate in this forum.
and glade to have you here..post some pics when you get it...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Is it only a few people having problems with keeping a charged battery or is it a Corvette issue? I had a modded supercharged 08 Mustang that I store every winter (about 6 months, drove it occasionally during the winter if it was clean and dry out) and never had a dead battery, always started up when I wanted to drive it.
I firmly believe I could trade cars with most any of the people having battery problems and my now faultless battery would start running down and their faulty battery would all of a sudden find a new life and would maintain a charge for at least 4 weeks.
Bill
