Replacement Battery Question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 3
From: Columbus Indiana
Replacement Battery Question
Good evening all and please excuse the ignorance of my question, as I am new to the C6 ownership world.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6,114
Likes: 1,961
From: Morris County New Jersey
You can use any brand battery. I went with a Die-Hard battery for my 2012 GS. Just check in the manufacturer's booklet for which specific battery you need or ask a someone that works there to look it up. Also you can check any battery manufacturer's website for which exact model is specific to your car.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 46
From: Hagerstown Maryland
I just installed a new battery in mine on Saturday. Overall it was a pretty easy job. I went with the Autocraft Gold battery from Advance Auto. After returning the old AC Delco along with their tax madness sale, I paid $94.00.
The Gold battery scored very high on online reviews and is apparently made by the respected company Johnson Controls. I'm happy with it.
The Gold battery scored very high on online reviews and is apparently made by the respected company Johnson Controls. I'm happy with it.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 3
From: Columbus Indiana
I just installed a new battery in mine on Saturday. Overall it was a pretty easy job. I went with the Autocraft Gold battery from Advance Auto. After returning the old AC Delco along with their tax madness sale, I paid $94.00.
The Gold battery scored very high on online reviews and is apparently made by the respected company Johnson Controls. I'm happy with it.
The Gold battery scored very high on online reviews and is apparently made by the respected company Johnson Controls. I'm happy with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 985
Likes: 150
From: California
If your battery truly was original in an '09, that's pretty good duration. Mine failed in my 2012 GS at about 4 years (bought the car new) and I was told that was pretty typical. I researched a lot of batteries but since I was going to do the install myself in my garage, I chose to go ahead and buy the exact AC Delco replacement from my local dealer. I found the price to be pretty reasonable at $108 plus tax plus an $11 core charge which they gave me back when I brought the old battery back to them. There was a good YouTube video of someone replacing the exact same Delco battery in a car similar to mine which showed me just how to turn it to best drop it in to place. I just chose to keep it simple and replace with precisely the same shape and size that came out, meaning the same AC Delco battery. At $108 plus tax at my dealer. Just FYI. bob
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I'd agree; you can choose just about any batt. And, yes, also to the Ctek 3300. Don't be "embarrassed" to put it on your batt. in summer or winter. As the saying goes, it can't "hoit" to use it anytime you're going to let the car sit for awhile. For me, the easy way to connect it up was through the driver's door window into the cig lighter which was always hot. Console interior plug in is also hot, but more of a hassle.
Last edited by AORoads; Mar 21, 2017 at 09:00 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
I bought an Autozone Platinum battery when the AC Delco died in my '09. It's an AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery like Optima. I've had it in the car for 3 years and it's still going strong. It was fairly expensive but it also lasts a long time and has a good warranty, so the cost is really not an issue
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,581
Likes: 1,660
From: Pearland / Houston Tx
I just installed a new battery in mine on Saturday. Overall it was a pretty easy job. I went with the Autocraft Gold battery from Advance Auto. After returning the old AC Delco along with their tax madness sale, I paid $94.00.
The Gold battery scored very high on online reviews and is apparently made by the respected company Johnson Controls. I'm happy with it.
The Gold battery scored very high on online reviews and is apparently made by the respected company Johnson Controls. I'm happy with it.
Buy online with coupon code "savings" to get 30% off. Choose "pick up in store".
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,233
Likes: 451
From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26
Good evening all and please excuse the ignorance of my question, as I am new to the C6 ownership world.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 489
Likes: 63
From: Mason OH
Good evening all and please excuse the ignorance of my question, as I am new to the C6 ownership world.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,485
Likes: 713
From: Sausalito CA
Delco fits exactly, appears as unaltered (show points?).
Yes OEM Delco can last 7 years, yet in my experience all the Delco replacements go 3 and storage capacity drops (length of radio on without engine on), yet always has enough to crank.
So, purchase Johnson Controls, Deka manufacturor brands (relabeled Autozone Sears etc) exceeding OEM spec from anywhere you find covenant.
+ 1 for Tenders.
Yes OEM Delco can last 7 years, yet in my experience all the Delco replacements go 3 and storage capacity drops (length of radio on without engine on), yet always has enough to crank.
So, purchase Johnson Controls, Deka manufacturor brands (relabeled Autozone Sears etc) exceeding OEM spec from anywhere you find covenant.
+ 1 for Tenders.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Good evening all and please excuse the ignorance of my question, as I am new to the C6 ownership world.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Just bought my 2009 about 5 weeks ago and have only got to drive it a few times due to crappy weather. Went out this weekend to find that the battery is dead, which after reading up I see is a major issue with these vehicles not being driven.
From the records of the car, it looks like the battery is the original OEM AC Delco that came installed in the car, so I plan to replace with a new battery and purchase a CTek 3300 Tender unit.
My question, does it really matter if I replace the battery with the same OEM AC Delco, or is any battery fine as long as it meets the same specs? Likely a silly a question and I would not give it a second thought on the daily driver sedan, but I thought it was worth asking. Calling around to AutoZone, O'Rileys, Advance, and Napa and none carry the AC Delco battery, so I am guessing I would have to purchase from the dealer, which I don't mind if it is recommended.
Thanks in advance and my apologies for the "noob" question.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 186
Likes: 25
From: CA
My battery on my 2011 GS just pooped out 2 days ago. I had a feeling it was going because of a weak start last week when I washed it. I bought my GS preowned last August and have only put 1200 miles on it. It sat a lot the past few months because of the rainy weather we had here in So Cal. Wednesday I had just bought a Shumacher SP3 tender to hook up and the battery was dead right then. The battery was an AC Delco. At 7 yrs old I doubt it was original but you never know. I was ready to go to the local chevy stealership to pick up another one but read a few posts about just getting an Autozone battery because if it fails there are usually Autozones all over the place to get a replacement.
Loonggg story short I went with the Autozone Duralast battery, about $25 cheaper and it fit perfect.
The Schumacher sp3 was only $32 & comes with all the hook ups and an extender cord was $9, seems like it will do the job.
Loonggg story short I went with the Autozone Duralast battery, about $25 cheaper and it fit perfect.
The Schumacher sp3 was only $32 & comes with all the hook ups and an extender cord was $9, seems like it will do the job.
Last edited by Cuckoo; Mar 24, 2017 at 11:19 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,198
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
I keep my C6, my Camaro, and my Silverado on Battery Tenders because I don't drive them enough. One of my batt tenders died (Lightning). Does the Schumacher have a "brain" / voltage regulator like the batt tender? i.e. Not just a trickle charger?