Battery maintenance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 77
From: Tequesta, FL
Battery maintenance
My 2017 has the OEM battery. Does the battery require periodic checks for water level in each cell or is it a sealed type battery with no water ever required. I am hoping someone knows the answer so I can skip lifting the carpet and trying to pry a cover off that is not meant to be pried off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
Its a sealed unit, and remember, a fully charged battery is a happy battery. Keep a battery tender on it during winter storage, and the rest of the year, its a good idea to hook a battery tender to it if it isn't going to be driven for about two weeks or longer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 162
Likes: 77
From: Tequesta, FL
The question came to me after filling 18 cells on my boat batteries. I had thought they were sealed but after looking at them, I saw that recessed covers came off and there were spit cells. Water was needed after replacing them 6 months ago. Glad I do not have to pull up carpet and covers to check the Vette battery.
Thanks for the quick info check.
Thanks for the quick info check.
Administrator
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The OEM battery is a sealed unit that requires no maintenance other than you may want to connect a battery maintainer to the outlet in the rear hatch if you do not drive the car frequently.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12,260
Likes: 4,749
From: SE WI
I echo the above posts. Keep it on a battery tender if you're not driving it for a week or more and you're good for the life of the battery.
If anyone wants a link to a good site see below. Really good stuff about batteries of all types.
https://batteryuniversity.com/index....d_acid_battery
.
If anyone wants a link to a good site see below. Really good stuff about batteries of all types.
https://batteryuniversity.com/index....d_acid_battery
.
Last edited by Zjoe6; Dec 8, 2019 at 11:16 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 802
Likes: 122
From: Goodyear Arizona
Have used a Deltran Battery tender on our cars for almost ten years. I hook it up underhood to the C7 if it's not going to be driven after more than three days. The car (and original battery) will be five years old in Feb. Due to recent warranty work, car was given multipoint inspection by my dealer a week ago. The battery was fine.
The tender also kept the battery on a BMW in good shape after six years (the car was totaled). A similarity among the BMW and C7 - both had the battery located in the trunk. Our Lexuses go through batteries after 2-3 years, regardless of battery tender use.
The tender also kept the battery on a BMW in good shape after six years (the car was totaled). A similarity among the BMW and C7 - both had the battery located in the trunk. Our Lexuses go through batteries after 2-3 years, regardless of battery tender use.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Danville, VA
Relatively new vette owner here. What is this outlet in the rear hatch that you speak of?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 846
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
I don't know what year you have but open the rear hatch and look directly behind the passengers seat on the outside "wall"
Two observations:
1) this thread is from 2019!!!! Better off starting a new one
2) Highly advised that you fill in some profile info. Year, Model, etc Location
Welcome to the forums though. Dis b de place!
Two observations:
1) this thread is from 2019!!!! Better off starting a new one
2) Highly advised that you fill in some profile info. Year, Model, etc Location
Welcome to the forums though. Dis b de place!
Racer
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 312
Likes: 248
From: Sewickley PA
The "cigarette shaped outlet" in the trunk area allows you to attach a battery tender (also called a battery maintainer) to keep your battery charged. Many owners garage their vehicles for the winter and wait for better weather for driving. The battery tender/maintainer keeps your battery in fully charged condition and prolongs battery life. As with 90% of C7 owners, I highly recommend you get one. I have the CTEK brand for my 2019 C7, bought it on Amazon. The CTEK brand was an OEM option when ordering the C7 new. There are other brands out there. I have a battery tender on my C3 Corvette for the same purpose.
Since you are new to the C7, 90% of C7 owners will also recommend you get a Range device or similar AFM disabler if you have an automatic transmission. GM's decision to implement AFM in the Corvette disables the lifters at certain times, converting the vehicle from V8 to V4 in an effort to improve gas mileage. This can cause lifter failure and is easily prevented with a Range device that plugs into the OBD. Get it on Amazon. Your Corvette will appreciate it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
GM's decision to implement AFM in the Corvette disables the lifters at certain times, converting the vehicle from V8 to V4 in an effort to improve gas mileage. This can cause lifter failure and is easily prevented with a Range device that plugs into the OBD. Get it on Amazon. Your Corvette will appreciate it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 1,050
From: North Texas
A lot of AFM lifter failures are due to a mis timing event of the engagement lifter locking pins. GM even had a video on this subject.
So common sense dictates that if you keep your engine out of V4 mode the less chance of the above taking place.
Yes, GM could of built a better system, but who really buys a Corvette to run it in a 4-cylinder mode?
If so, maybe you would be better off with a Toyota Corolla.
So common sense dictates that if you keep your engine out of V4 mode the less chance of the above taking place.
Yes, GM could of built a better system, but who really buys a Corvette to run it in a 4-cylinder mode?
If so, maybe you would be better off with a Toyota Corolla.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
A lot of AFM lifter failures are due to a mis timing event of the engagement lifter locking pins. GM even had a video on this subject.
So common sense dictates that if you keep your engine out of V4 mode the less chance of the above taking place.
Yes, GM could of built a better system, but who really buys a Corvette to run it in a 4-cylinder mode?
If so, maybe you would be better off with a Toyota Corolla.
So common sense dictates that if you keep your engine out of V4 mode the less chance of the above taking place.
Yes, GM could of built a better system, but who really buys a Corvette to run it in a 4-cylinder mode?
If so, maybe you would be better off with a Toyota Corolla.
Common sense also dictates that if Range could make that statement and sell more units, they would but here we are.
IDK of anyone who buys it to be run in 4 cylinder mode specifically, including myself. However, if I am not demanding the power right now, I really don't care what it does so unlike many Corvette owners, I don't have to be indignant about it when it goes into 4 cylinder mode when the car is cruising. I will be upset when I am hitting it expecting V8 power and it gives me V4 power.
I'm better off not lighting my cigar with $100 bills just because I can too, financially, that is. The boys wanting to watch me do it will have to do without the show.
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Danville, VA
I already have a tender for the battery, just never knew there was a designated port for easier connection. I have my eyes on one that has the cigarette adapter which should just add a bit more convenience compared to my normal routine. I have been looking at these AFM disablers as well and there seems to be no downside. Maybe it helps alot, maybe not as much but for $200 it seems like cheap insurance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
I like cheap insurance. I'm OK with reasonably priced insurance. However, to insure, it has to make you whole to a point. Do you get money back if you suffer a loss related to the AFM?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 14,611
Likes: 219
From: Ohio