Thoughts on Battery age/replacement time?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 669
From: North Fulton Georgia
Thoughts on Battery age/replacement time?
Hi Guys,
Haven't actually had to replace a battery in a Vette since 2009 on my old C6. My 2019 GS was manufactured in 2018 and I bought it in December 2020. I'm thinking I should consider a new battery any time now. All is working well. No slow starts or dead battery issues so far. Gets daily use. Do I have some time, or should I bite the bullet and get it replaced now? I'm hearing/reading good things about Interstate batteries. They have a full 36-month replacement warranty (no prorate) on their AGM battery. I'm still thinking of getting a "wet" battery though... Thoughts guys???
Haven't actually had to replace a battery in a Vette since 2009 on my old C6. My 2019 GS was manufactured in 2018 and I bought it in December 2020. I'm thinking I should consider a new battery any time now. All is working well. No slow starts or dead battery issues so far. Gets daily use. Do I have some time, or should I bite the bullet and get it replaced now? I'm hearing/reading good things about Interstate batteries. They have a full 36-month replacement warranty (no prorate) on their AGM battery. I'm still thinking of getting a "wet" battery though... Thoughts guys???
Popular Reply
Mar 25, 2022, 07:39 PM
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: DFW TX
I replace batteries every 5 years as a matter of practical preventative maintenance. Don't over think it. Cheap insurance against getting stranded somewhere.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 105
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From: Odessa, TX
About 4-5 years, typical, for a batteries life. Can be quite a bit shorter if exposed to frequent full or almost full discharges. For me, personally, anything over about 4.5 years is on borrowed time and I'll go ahead and replace preemptively.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Virginia
A battery that meets or exceeds power requirements 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 will typically last 6+ years. Good idea to start considering battery replacement at 5 years.
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.
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.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,981
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Battery life is too varied (same battery, vehicle, etc.) to make a global judgement on replacement time. Don't assume you've one of the "quickies." With C7s many tend to give some electronic indication(s) before dying... but, of course, "Your mileage may vary." 
All the best, in any event! 
All the best, in any event!
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2021
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From: DFW Texas
I still have the OEM battery in my 16. I don't use a battery tender, but the car doesn't sit more than about a week before drives at most. Only has 14k miles on it, so the previous owner stored it a lot. Mine shows no signs of any issues, but I'll be replacing it this summer before the fall road trip season. Not worth the risk.
Just like I change windshield wipers annually when I get my inspection done. Just an comfortable schedule. Although my vert has never been out in the rain!
Just like I change windshield wipers annually when I get my inspection done. Just an comfortable schedule. Although my vert has never been out in the rain!
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I replaced the original battery in my 2014 in 2019 - battery was between 5-6 years old then. I was not having a problem, but just did it as a preventative maintenance type of move.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
I replace mine every three years or so. For $175 I consider that cheap insurance. They can be good one day and dead the next. I know I'm probably overkill on this, but I want to be sure to replace the battery at a time that is controlled by me and not the battery.
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From: Toronto, Canada
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
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From: Tequesta, FL
I bought a Foxwell BT-705 to try to get a handle on replacing batteries. It provides a lot of info on the battery and charging system. Being able to measure CCAs gives a good idea of battery useful life. Time will tell if this was a good idea. Having six of these large batteries around the house should provide some good info.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2015
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If one does not drive a Corvette much... Yeah "wasting quite a bit of money", Is what one may be doing having your Corvette with a new battery every couple of years... for heaven sakes! ... I worry about the Corvette not having enough to eat!... However, for only pennys, tiss a small favour the Corvette asks of us... for its porridge... and the ability to start while in New York city on some filthy, dark wet street at midnight..... . is NOT just for "a little piece of mind"!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Central Commiefornia
The enemies of battery life are infrequent use, complete discharging and temperature extremes. Avoiding those will likely give 4-5 years.
Living in a hot Central Commiefornia climate, I expect to replace batteries every 3-4 years.
I bought a '17 Stingray off a dealer's lot in December, 2017. The car's "born on" date was a year earlier. Six months after purchase, the battery went south, likely from sitting in 100 degree summer heat and not being charged regularly.
Living in a hot Central Commiefornia climate, I expect to replace batteries every 3-4 years.
I bought a '17 Stingray off a dealer's lot in December, 2017. The car's "born on" date was a year earlier. Six months after purchase, the battery went south, likely from sitting in 100 degree summer heat and not being charged regularly.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 669
From: North Fulton Georgia
Thanks for all the input. Good stuff! I am going to keep an eye on early warning signs and change it before 2022 Fall which would make it 4 years since manufacture date.