Battery Life?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 115
From: Prescott AZ
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ger-usage.html
Last edited by lennykoll; Aug 17, 2017 at 06:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,486
Likes: 1,659
From: Las Vegas NV
Depends.
Here in the desert SW, it is not unusual for car batteries to last only about 3 years. Some say it is the extreme heat that kills batteries.
In my wife's car, the OEM battery died at 3.5 years.
In my first C6, it lasted only 3.
In my second C6, it lasted 4.
In Mom's SUV, it lasted 3.
All daily drivers, so never on a tender.
Here in the desert SW, it is not unusual for car batteries to last only about 3 years. Some say it is the extreme heat that kills batteries.
In my wife's car, the OEM battery died at 3.5 years.
In my first C6, it lasted only 3.
In my second C6, it lasted 4.
In Mom's SUV, it lasted 3.
All daily drivers, so never on a tender.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Might last forever, but probably not. My experience is that after 3 years the battery could fail at any time. Factory battery is a Delco silver series battery with a 30 month free replacement. I replaced my 2014 battery when it was three years old with a Delco gold series battery with 42 month free replacement. If the fully charged battery has only around 12v, it is getting weak.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 115
From: Prescott AZ
Depends.
Here in the desert SW, it is not unusual for car batteries to last only about 3 years. Some say it is the extreme heat that kills batteries.
In my wife's car, the OEM battery died at 3.5 years.
In my first C6, it lasted only 3.
In my second C6, it lasted 4.
In Mom's SUV, it lasted 3.
All daily drivers, so never on a tender.
Here in the desert SW, it is not unusual for car batteries to last only about 3 years. Some say it is the extreme heat that kills batteries.
In my wife's car, the OEM battery died at 3.5 years.
In my first C6, it lasted only 3.
In my second C6, it lasted 4.
In Mom's SUV, it lasted 3.
All daily drivers, so never on a tender.
Point I was trying to make was that there is nothing magical about a 3 year period and battery replacement.... sitting in hot sun vs. garaged, charged/conditioned vs. daily driver.... results may vary but I have had the same battery in my '63 for over seven years.... either disconnected or tended the entire time.....either way, letting it run down and then charging is NOT in the best interest of battery life... takes more of a toll than years of use...... IMHO....LK
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 787
Likes: 127
From: Connecticut
Depends. For me its ~5 years. I replaced the battery in two cars in the last three years. In both cases I knew it needed a battery. How? Both cars started cranking slower ... I could hear it. Neither just died expectantly. A free load test (Advanced Auto) confirmed they needed to be replaced.
Of course, your results may vary.
Of course, your results may vary.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 198
From: Southington CT
I have a 15 also. The battery was replaced 4 months ago. Lucky for me it was covered by the warranty. If you think it is weak and you still have your warranty, have it checked out by the dealer.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,433
Likes: 3,622
From: Commerce Texas
Your OEM battery will tell you when it's time to change. It will be difficult to start one day, as in maybe cranking a bit longer than just "firing up." As soon as that happens replace it.
This according to my Corvette tech who has specialized in Corvettes for 30 years.... and has been my tech through 6 cars and almost 700,000 miles....
This according to my Corvette tech who has specialized in Corvettes for 30 years.... and has been my tech through 6 cars and almost 700,000 miles....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Old batteries used to give some warning, but modern batteries tend to fail with no warning. I have driven a car and it starts and runs normal, and the next time I go to drive it...nothing. Dome light will not even come on. I have had several that had cells go bad so battery only put out 10v. Lights would come on, but not enough power to crank the engine.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Aug 17, 2017 at 09:19 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 115
From: Prescott AZ
Your OEM battery will tell you when it's time to change. It will be difficult to start one day, as in maybe cranking a bit longer than just "firing up." As soon as that happens replace it.
This according to my Corvette tech who has specialized in Corvettes for 30 years.... and has been my tech through 6 cars and almost 700,000 miles....
This according to my Corvette tech who has specialized in Corvettes for 30 years.... and has been my tech through 6 cars and almost 700,000 miles....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
I owned and operated a chain of auto parts stores for about 16 years so saw a lot if batteries come an go.
Extreme heat is very hard on batteries followed by extreme cold to a little lessor degree.
Purchase the maximum cold cranking amps recommended for the vehicle by the manufacturer and it should last 5 possibly 6 years if taken care of and car's charging system is in good condition.
Extreme heat is very hard on batteries followed by extreme cold to a little lessor degree.
Purchase the maximum cold cranking amps recommended for the vehicle by the manufacturer and it should last 5 possibly 6 years if taken care of and car's charging system is in good condition.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Keeping specific gravity at 1.265 @ 80°F (full charge) should extend the life of a lead-acid battery. I keep my batteries on a smart charger (CTek or Deltran) most of the time when in the garage. In winter my mower battery gets swapped on the Deltran and even those cheap batteries that have a 90-day warranty have been lasting 4-5 years.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Yes, the average battery lasts 3-4 years, but those haven't been kept on battery maintainers. They've failed because they've been discharged to varying degrees too often, even though they've worked to start a vehicle until they didn't.
Batteries kept on maintainers will last considerably longer. I have 5 vehicles, plus a tractor, and they are all on maintainers when not being driven. Some of these batteries are well over 6 years old and in very good condition.
Batteries kept on maintainers will last considerably longer. I have 5 vehicles, plus a tractor, and they are all on maintainers when not being driven. Some of these batteries are well over 6 years old and in very good condition.
Last edited by Foosh; Aug 17, 2017 at 11:39 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
Fortunately, the C7 doesn't seem to be the same battery-eater that the C6 is.
So far there have been very few instances of odd behavior (common in the C6 from marginal batteries) even from those of us who have batteries over 3 1/2 years old.
So far there have been very few instances of odd behavior (common in the C6 from marginal batteries) even from those of us who have batteries over 3 1/2 years old.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,010
Likes: 12,395
From: NE South Carolina
The Yellow Top Optima in my Street Rod is on it's 6th year! Although it is always on a charger when parked, it's on Borrowed Time-better consider getting a new one! With electric doors. no handles and the battery inside the sedan body. no fun if I can't open the door! When I go to Car Shows always leave the drivers window open so I can at least get in!
Last edited by JerryU; Aug 18, 2017 at 09:56 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 115
From: Prescott AZ
As I said earlier, my '63 battery is going on 7 years.... always either disconnected or tended.....anyone that has owned a C2 knows what a PAIN it is to change that battery (Overflow tank, hoses etc, not to mention snagging it from beneath the fender!!).... so I baby it.... DieHard with faux tar top cover....smile....LK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Though keeping battery on maintainer may make it last longer, I drive my car every day and do not even think about keeping it on life support.
Since I have a 42 month free replacement battery, I can replace it every 3 years and never have to buy a new one again.
Since I have a 42 month free replacement battery, I can replace it every 3 years and never have to buy a new one again.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Aug 18, 2017 at 10:07 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Tex,
I drive my car about 5 days a week, at least, and I still put it on a maintainer overnight. Even though daily-driven, maintainers still help with battery life. After a 100-mile drive (or greater), when I first plug in the maintainer, it indicates the battery is NOT fully charged, and it's always topped off the next time I start it.
Of course, I have all my vehicles set-up for it to be easy to simply plug in, and I have maintainers for all vehicles. All are parked inside close to electrical outlets. It's no more inconvenient than closing a door.
I drive my car about 5 days a week, at least, and I still put it on a maintainer overnight. Even though daily-driven, maintainers still help with battery life. After a 100-mile drive (or greater), when I first plug in the maintainer, it indicates the battery is NOT fully charged, and it's always topped off the next time I start it.
Of course, I have all my vehicles set-up for it to be easy to simply plug in, and I have maintainers for all vehicles. All are parked inside close to electrical outlets. It's no more inconvenient than closing a door.
Last edited by Foosh; Aug 18, 2017 at 10:17 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
For what's worth the 07 C6 I used as a DD, the original battery lasted 5.5 years. I got to work one morning and when I tried to leave I couldn't get the car unlocked. Wife had to come pick me up (she crawled through the rear hatch and the battery would not even get the starter to make any kind of noise). So the next day I installed an Advanced Auto battery (it was a Saturday) so I could get home. That battery lasted just over one year. This time for my 2015 C7 DD I will change the battery at 4 years with a GM one.
Last edited by HAD2HAV2; Aug 18, 2017 at 10:18 AM.