Corvette battery question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 118
Likes: 14
From: Honolulu HI
Corvette battery question
I know you guys are probably sick of these threads regarding the battery. But bear with me anyways, lol. I have a 2005 base C6 and I've been reading here and there about the battery going dead if you let the car sit. I'm going on a trip in May for about 9 days. Approximately, whats the max amount of days it can sit without the battery dying or beginning to get weak? Also, within those 9 days I will have a friend deal with the car. So can the car just be started every couple days? or does the car actually have to be driven to prevent the battery from dying out?
For the two weeks I've owned this car, I've learned so much on this forum. I want to give a big thanks to everyone who contributes to the forum! You guys rock.
For the two weeks I've owned this car, I've learned so much on this forum. I want to give a big thanks to everyone who contributes to the forum! You guys rock.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,767
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
For only 9 days you won't have to worry about it as long as your current battery is fully charged and in good condition. They usually have to sit for about three weeks or longer before you'd have to be concerned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 141
As long as the battery is in good shape AND the car doesn't have anything wrong with it to cause an abnormal current draw. I would recommend trying the key in the hatch lock cylinder (hope the old owner / dealer gave you the key) to make sure it works and that that manual release pull next to the manual gas door pull on the drivers side also works.
This is just incase it doesn't last, or you ever have a problem with it. Since you said you haven't had the car a very long time.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
Logic would dictate that your going to have to get a battery maintainer for winter storage anyway....Why not get the maintainer now and you won't have to worry about the car while your away.....
....WW
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....WW.
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Last edited by WW7; Mar 31, 2016 at 07:44 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
I'm also new with my C6 but from what I'm reading you will be fine. You may want to invest in a battery tender. That also will improve the longevity of the battery. I hooked mine up yesterday and it's great( thanks to the guys on this forum) I used it in my C4 and now my C6. There is a post on this
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
OP: you didn't state if you have a manual or not, but if you have the manual, make sure you always leave it in R when you turn off the engine, even overnight (applies only to '05 manual).
Oh, and in case you didn't receive an OM, here is the link to the downloadable version:
http://www.c6registry.com/technical/manuals/2005OM.pdf
Oh, and in case you didn't receive an OM, here is the link to the downloadable version:
http://www.c6registry.com/technical/manuals/2005OM.pdf
Last edited by owc6; Mar 31, 2016 at 07:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 367
Likes: 100
From: ACUSHNET MA
I keep mine on a tender all the time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
Since you have only had the car for a short time, spend $20 on a battery tender and use it. After a couple of weeks, even if the car will still start, the battery will not be fully charged, which is the way that lead/acid batteries like to be stored. They last much longer this way, so it's worth using a tender. I got the Black and Decker tender at Home Depot for $20. It comes with all three methods of connection included...battery clamps, screw on lugs and a cigarette lighter plug. Easy, which ever you decide works best for you.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 1,391
From: SC
I'm new to my C6 as well (2013 GS, 6M), I've only had it home a few days. I think it has the original battery and it seems a little week. In the mornings it's down to about 12.3 volts measured right at the terminals with a multi meter. I've been watching the voltage on the dash and it jumps up to 14.8 right after starting then keeps dropping the longer I drive. When I parked it last night it was down to 13.8 which seems a little low but I don't know anything about GM charging systems.
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
I'm new to my C6 as well (2013 GS, 6M), I've only had it home a few days. I think it has the original battery and it seems a little week. In the mornings it's down to about 12.3 volts measured right at the terminals with a multi meter. I've been watching the voltage on the dash and it jumps up to 14.8 right after starting then keeps dropping the longer I drive. When I parked it last night it was down to 13.8 which seems a little low but I don't know anything about GM charging systems.
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Get a Tender and use it regularly. Small investment for peace of mind and longer battery life. Costco, in my area, even carries the Battery Tender + for a minimal cost which I have used for many years on both my vehicles whenever they are parked in the garage.
Last edited by SUB VETTE; Mar 31, 2016 at 02:48 PM. Reason: addl info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 413
From: WV
I'm new to my C6 as well (2013 GS, 6M), I've only had it home a few days. I think it has the original battery and it seems a little week. In the mornings it's down to about 12.3 volts measured right at the terminals with a multi meter. I've been watching the voltage on the dash and it jumps up to 14.8 right after starting then keeps dropping the longer I drive. When I parked it last night it was down to 13.8 which seems a little low but I don't know anything about GM charging systems.
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
..WW
Last edited by WW7; Mar 31, 2016 at 08:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
I'm new to my C6 as well (2013 GS, 6M), I've only had it home a few days. I think it has the original battery and it seems a little week. In the mornings it's down to about 12.3 volts measured right at the terminals with a multi meter. I've been watching the voltage on the dash and it jumps up to 14.8 right after starting then keeps dropping the longer I drive. When I parked it last night it was down to 13.8 which seems a little low but I don't know anything about GM charging systems.
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?
It still has a little warranty left so I've got an appointment next week to get another problem addressed but I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a new battery. I assume it needs to be a sealed AGM battery since it's inside the passenger compartment. Anything special I need to be aware of?