Battery life
11-10-2018, 12:05 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Battery life
What are folks getting for battery life in their C7’s? My 2016 Z51 equiped has 20,000 miles and is always garaged in Northeast Florida. No problems as yet. Do folks replace the battery before it dies?
11-10-2018, 12:08 PM
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2007
Location: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
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St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Took delivery of my 2014 Z51 in Feb of 2014. Sold it last August with 52K on the clock.
Original battery with no issues
Original battery with no issues
11-10-2018, 12:12 PM
#3
Race Director
A battery that matches or exceeds power requirements (CCA) specified by the vehicle's manufacturer, vehicle's charging/starting system has been and is in good condition, battery trickle charged (battery tender) when stored, installed in a vehicle used/stored in a moderate climate (batteries will not last as long in HOT <especially> or cold climate) should last 5-6 years.
Good idea to start looking to replace at 5 years old.
I base this opinion on my owning/operating a chain of auto parts stores over 16 years and buying/selling/warranting literally thousands of batteries over the years.
Good idea to start looking to replace at 5 years old.
I base this opinion on my owning/operating a chain of auto parts stores over 16 years and buying/selling/warranting literally thousands of batteries over the years.
11-10-2018, 12:27 PM
#4
Moderator/Tech Contributor
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
I usually wait for a symptom. When the batttery gives me any hint of a slow start, I head to the store and replace it. I plop a battery maintainer on the car every time I pull it into my garage. I had my OEM battery for almost 3.5 years and I experienced the "hint". I'm now running this Sears Diehard:
Die Hard AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
size G48; Their Model 50748Sears:
Elmer
Die Hard AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat)
size G48; Their Model 50748Sears:
Elmer
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Mike Mercury (11-11-2018)
11-10-2018, 12:31 PM
#5
Race Director
I have always gotten long life out of batteries in my climate, for instance, my C5 battery was almost 8 years old when I traded it for my C6. My current daily driver (2006 Civic) has over 6 years on it's battery. I don't think I've ever had a battery die with less than 5 years on it, on any of the 20 cars I've owned. But the climate here isn't super cold in the winter, nor is it super hot in the summer either, so that helps a lot.
11-10-2018, 12:33 PM
#6
Safety Car
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Location: Oro Valley Arizona
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Turns out, the hot super dry S AZ climate is as hard if not harder on a battery than cold. Our car is my 85 yr old wife's DD and her being stranded is not an option. So every 3 years, we install a new battery. A hundred bucks is not a consideration for us. Safety is.
Last edited by papillion; 11-10-2018 at 12:35 PM.
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Neil Baker (11-10-2018)
11-10-2018, 12:44 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
I carry a NOCO power boost in my car. If my battery ever goes dead it will start my car without any problems until I can get a new battery. Always nice here in Tucson to have a spare start as this climate eats batteries
11-10-2018, 01:15 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Also in AZ. I question the observations referring to shortened battery life in hot (AZ) climates, when the battery is essentially out of extreme heat when located in the rear or under a seat (Buick). It will never be exposed to the heat a battery endures when located under the hood. I know from experience my previously owned BMW lasted 7 years with its original battery (until it was totalled!).
I also realize a battery can fail unexpectedly at any time, regardless of age or environment.
I also realize a battery can fail unexpectedly at any time, regardless of age or environment.
11-10-2018, 01:27 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
So far so good with my battery. However my c5 and c6 never got more than a couple of years. I am sure without the engine temp the battery will last much longer
11-10-2018, 02:51 PM
#10
Team Owner
4-5 years have it load tested and then decide to motor on or replace it.
11-10-2018, 02:55 PM
#11
Race Director
I'm also in southern Arizona. I just replaced my battery - 5 years old and 27,000 miles. It was still working fine, but I thought I was pressing my luck.
11-10-2018, 03:51 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
Mine was about 39 months old when I had it replaced yesterday. It was tested and passed but “weak”. Heading to the Hill Country next week and wanted a new battery before we left.
Last edited by B-17/B-25 CC; 11-10-2018 at 03:52 PM.
11-10-2018, 08:58 PM
#14
Battery life in the C7 has the potential of being quite long given it is in a "battery comfortable" location away from the heat of the engine compartment. But like any automotive battery it is heavily dependent upon how it is used and automotive batteries are designed for a minor discharge (starting) followed by a full charge. Just like brakes and many other components, a car with a lot of longer trip and highway miles will experience a battery that will be up in years and miles before it needs replacement.
My Z06 is rarely driven less than 20 miles after a start and when it isn't driven for several days it sits on a battery tender so I expect a long life out of it. My 2008 CTS (also trunk mounted battery) got over 6 years out of the original and I replaced it only because I was heading out for a several week trip and didn't want to chance problems. My previous 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD got 7 years out of its original pair of batteries. My 2014 ATS is still on its original battery and last month I replaced the 9.5 year old battery in my Deere diesel utility tractor because it was showing some signs of slow cranking when it was cold and turned on the intake air heater before cranking. All of these batteries generally had an opportunity to fully recharge after every starting event.
My Z06 is rarely driven less than 20 miles after a start and when it isn't driven for several days it sits on a battery tender so I expect a long life out of it. My 2008 CTS (also trunk mounted battery) got over 6 years out of the original and I replaced it only because I was heading out for a several week trip and didn't want to chance problems. My previous 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD got 7 years out of its original pair of batteries. My 2014 ATS is still on its original battery and last month I replaced the 9.5 year old battery in my Deere diesel utility tractor because it was showing some signs of slow cranking when it was cold and turned on the intake air heater before cranking. All of these batteries generally had an opportunity to fully recharge after every starting event.
11-10-2018, 11:37 PM
#16
'14 Stingray, 95,000 miles 4.5 years. Never on a tender. Replaced just due to paranoia .
11-11-2018, 02:23 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2015
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I replace before death. I replaced it at 30 months. It was fine, but for the price of a new 42 month Delco for $172 installed I'm not taking any chances. The hassle of removing the old and installing a replacement with this particular car is not worth it to "me".
11-11-2018, 04:44 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
Most of mine always seem to last about 3-4 years in the daily drivers. My wife's 05 Cobalt, bought new, lasted until this summer, with just over 40000 miles on it. All I ever did was just dis-connect it very winter.
11-11-2018, 06:14 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
2015 with 78,800 miles - original battery
11-11-2018, 07:47 AM
#20
Safety Car
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St. Jude Donor '12
I'm in a HOT climate along the Colorado River in Lake Havasu City, Az. My 2014 C7 with 10k miles on it lasted just 2 years. I usually keep the tender on it and after coming back from a car tour had forgotten to put the tender on it. 30 days later it was deader than a doornail and was replaced for free by the dealer under warranty. My 15 Jeep Wrangler was replaced at 3 years.