Battery Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 122
Likes: 4
Battery Question
I own a 2009 c6 coupe 3LT with 18000 miles on it. I've owned it since July 2008. I do not get to drive it much due to the nature of my work. I live in Houston TX and the car stays in the garage. The battery has to be charged if I go past two weeks and have not started it. Could the battery be going bad at its age or is it just normal due to a lack of activity? It may be time for a new battery and if so, what battery would you recommend?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
These cars need a battery tender when not driven for long periods. I connect mine every time I'm done driving for the day. And during winter storage I keep it plugged in from November to April.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,237
Likes: 220
From: Akron Ohio
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of Year Finalist
an it doesn't matter what battery u get if left sitting it will die.also it doesn't matter what brand u get if u use a tender it will last for years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 2,106
From: Left Coast, San Diego
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,861
Likes: 5,310
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
I own a 2009 c6 coupe 3LT with 18000 miles on it. I've owned it since July 2008. I do not get to drive it much due to the nature of my work. I live in Houston TX and the car stays in the garage. The battery has to be charged if I go past two weeks and have not started it. Could the battery be going bad at its age or is it just normal due to a lack of activity? It may be time for a new battery and if so, what battery would you recommend?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 16
From: Yorktown Heights NY
get the tender. it was the first "mod" I did... asked for one for Christmas when I bought the car on Dec 22nd. I use it whenever I will not drive he car for more than a week and all winter and the battery has been good on a used car for four years now.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 6
Speaking from experience, I would put a battery in it. In the past I've had a battery that would not jump start. You just cannot get enough juice thru cables. I've been able to 'double up' two sets of cables and get a car to jump. A battery will fail and then it will drain so much of the jump battery there is not enough left to start the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Southern Utah
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Despite the low miles, your battery is about 6 years old. On a C6, that qualifies as somewhere between "old" and "ancient". You might get lucky and milk another year or two out of it, or you might get stranded someplace.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
What he said. And be carefull where you buy whatever battery you end up with. A warranty doesn't do you any good if the place you bought the battery isn't open nights and weekends like most Dealers. Consider the big chains like PEP boys, etc. Good prices and they're open nights and weekends over most of the Country.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 1,659
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
What he said. And be carefull where you buy whatever battery you end up with. A warranty doesn't do you any good if the place you bought the battery isn't open nights and weekends like most Dealers. Consider the big chains like PEP boys, etc. Good prices and they're open nights and weekends over most of the Country.
Advance Auto usually has a promo code for $50 off $125 or more purchase. Got mine there for 90 bucks.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
Likes: 1,910
From: Missouri City, TX
With my 07 vert, I must have hit the sweet spot for occasional driving and extending the battery life. I just replaced the nearly 8 year old OEM Delco when it just started to give me indications that it was weakening over the holidays. When I drive it to work, it is 50 mile round trip commute mostly at freeway speeds. Almost never any short trips in the neighborhood. It might be driven several days in a row and then not again for a week or more. Never on a tender. Just the right amount of starts and driving for maximum battery life without a tender.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,454
Likes: 3
From: Hells Sister City Phoenix AZ
St. Jude Donor '03
You just need to move to AZ. Mine is a year round daily driver. With the heat a battery is luck to live over two yrs thou. Most of us by a three yr guarantee and never have to buy another battery. Tenders are definitely a must if you're not driving the Vette at least a couple times a month.
