How long does your battery last?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 311
From: Gainesville, Ga
How long does your battery last?
Hi Guys,
Well my car was basically sitting for a couple of weeks, the only time I used it during that time frame was to run around town a bit, real quick probably didnt even get to operating temp. Well I went to take it out this past weekend and the battery was basically dead. It would try to start, cranked real slow a couple of times than the dreaded click..click..click. Just wondering if this is the norm or are you guys getting better mileage out of it?
I did jump start it and ran it around the weekend for about a hundred miles and will see what happens after sitting a week. I also picked up a battery tender just in case but still wondering if I should bing it in which I really don't want to do if it's not necessary.
Thanks
Well my car was basically sitting for a couple of weeks, the only time I used it during that time frame was to run around town a bit, real quick probably didnt even get to operating temp. Well I went to take it out this past weekend and the battery was basically dead. It would try to start, cranked real slow a couple of times than the dreaded click..click..click. Just wondering if this is the norm or are you guys getting better mileage out of it?
I did jump start it and ran it around the weekend for about a hundred miles and will see what happens after sitting a week. I also picked up a battery tender just in case but still wondering if I should bing it in which I really don't want to do if it's not necessary.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
That is definitely not the norm. I travel a lot on business. Mine has sat in the garage - without a battery tender - for up to a month and the battery was still fully charged.
Anyone who replies saying you need a battery tender if it sits more than a week or two is dead wrong. If the battery goes dead that fast there's a problem that needs fixed and using a batter tender will just mask the symptom, not fix the problem. I never used a tender with my C6 either after I forced GM to find the problem and fix it instead of saying it's normal.
Anyone who replies saying you need a battery tender if it sits more than a week or two is dead wrong. If the battery goes dead that fast there's a problem that needs fixed and using a batter tender will just mask the symptom, not fix the problem. I never used a tender with my C6 either after I forced GM to find the problem and fix it instead of saying it's normal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This is one area that the C7 amazes me. I travel a lot. I cannot leave my car on the charger in my condo parking garage. I leave the car locked with the alarm on.
I have left on 2 long business trips -- one 3 weeks and one 4 weeks. On both times, I got back in the car and it started as if I had just dropped it off yesterday.
I think the battery drain issue is one of the best I've seen.
I have left on 2 long business trips -- one 3 weeks and one 4 weeks. On both times, I got back in the car and it started as if I had just dropped it off yesterday.
I think the battery drain issue is one of the best I've seen.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
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From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
That is definitely not the norm. I travel a lot on business. Mine has sat in the garage - without a battery tender - for up to a month and the battery was still fully charged.
Anyone who replies saying you need a battery tender if it sits more than a week or two is dead wrong. If the battery goes dead that fast there's a problem that needs fixed and using a batter tender will just mask the symptom, not fix the problem. I never used a tender with my C6 either after I forced GM to find the problem and fix it instead of saying it's normal.
Anyone who replies saying you need a battery tender if it sits more than a week or two is dead wrong. If the battery goes dead that fast there's a problem that needs fixed and using a batter tender will just mask the symptom, not fix the problem. I never used a tender with my C6 either after I forced GM to find the problem and fix it instead of saying it's normal.
Read this above twice....GM could not sell a car now that could not take at least 3 weeks in airport parking. Many have posted a month or more of sitting with no problem. If you want to insure a start, disconnect the neg cable, you won't lose any settings. Paranoia reigns supreme on these batt tenders, unless you're storing for the winter, months at a time, you don't need one. google "non volatile RAM" for why the batts are better (the cars are better)
Last edited by Glen e; Jun 25, 2014 at 08:48 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Indiana
On modern cars there's always some battery drain when not in use .. at least one computer is running, potentially a security system, etc. But it shouldn't die in a couple of weeks. Could be something as simple as a glove compartment light that doesn't go out, or an underhood light .. something like that. Your dealer should be able to measure the current draw when the car is turned off and compare it to the normal drain expected..
Le Mans Master
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From: Morrill Nebraska
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Race Director
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On modern cars there's always some battery drain when not in use .. at least one computer is running, potentially a security system, etc. But it shouldn't die in a couple of weeks. Could be something as simple as a glove compartment light that doesn't go out, or an underhood light .. something like that. Your dealer should be able to measure the current draw when the car is turned off and compare it to the normal drain expected..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Swansea IL
Some "Vampire" drain occurs on every new car. But unless there is something wrong a modern car should be able to sit for weeks and still start.
But a battery tender is cheap insurance if you want top guarantee it will start after a long rest.
But a battery tender is cheap insurance if you want top guarantee it will start after a long rest.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,299
Likes: 466
From: Long Island New York
Even without any drain, and all modern cars have some drain, a lead-acid battery, which is what the C7 has, will lose 1% of its charge per day just sitting around, and in 3 months will be essentially dead.
A 50% battery will start the car.
I think what you meant to say was that a fully charged battery won't discharge enough to prevent the car from starting after a month of sitting - and that is true.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,922
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From: Gainesville, Ga
Well just got back from the dealer and turned out to be a bad battery. They replaced it, ran a few tests, did a reset and all is well. Glad it turned out to be something minor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Florida
2026 Restomod of the Year Finalist
2025 Restomod of the Year Finalist
If you want peace of mind and want to extend the life of your battery get a battery tender and keep it hooked up when your car (any model) is not your daily driver.
It's been my experience that every time one of my cars has a dead battery and needs to be charged/jumped it has shortened the life of the battery.
It's been my experience that every time one of my cars has a dead battery and needs to be charged/jumped it has shortened the life of the battery.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 618
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That is 100% false.
Even without any drain, and all modern cars have some drain, a lead-acid battery, which is what the C7 has, will lose 1% of its charge per day just sitting around, and in 3 months will be essentially dead.
A 50% battery will start the car.
I think what you meant to say was that a fully charged battery won't discharge enough to prevent the car from starting after a month of sitting - and that is true.
Even without any drain, and all modern cars have some drain, a lead-acid battery, which is what the C7 has, will lose 1% of its charge per day just sitting around, and in 3 months will be essentially dead.
A 50% battery will start the car.
I think what you meant to say was that a fully charged battery won't discharge enough to prevent the car from starting after a month of sitting - and that is true.