When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I purchased my C7 in May of 2019, it was built in March of 2019. I trying to decide whether to road trip it or my wife’s Land Rover to Florida. If I drive the C7 should I install a new battery. I have kept it on the tender since it was new while sitting in the garage. The reason I’m asking is due to the horror stories I’ve read about when some of you have done a simple battery change. Thanks in advance for any input.
We had a similar consideration with a five year old battery and pending road trip last year. You are probably OK. However, a five year old battery certainly does not owe you anything. If your road trip will take you into unfamiliar territory, it won't do to have the old battery lay down at precisely the wrong time.
Because of problems encountered when diy battery change I would have the dealer do it. Last time my battery was changed by an indy Vette tech something went wrong and he didn't have access to GM support anymore. It took him about 2 weeks to find the problem. At least I still had use of the car.
You now have potential battery problems bugging you. Changing a Corvette battery is such a PITA that I prefer to do it on my schedule, not when out of town or in bad weather. Replace the battery for your peace of mind.
If you are concerned, take a charged jump box along with you. You will certainly drive enough on a road trip that a battery maintainer should not be needed.
I just brought my 2019 Z06 bought new to the dealer to replace the battery. I always had the battery on the tender when it was in the garage but figured 5 years was pushing it. Worth the piece of mind.
This spring I replaced the one in my July '17 production '18 because I had one go bad in a similar aged vehicle. I saved the removed battery and put in something else temporarily and it is still testing as good as new. Batteries, especially OEM can be all over the ballpark with regard to longevity. I'll not bore with the many stories I could tell. Have a good trip.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If it were me and looking at a long road trip, I would go ahead and change out your five year old battery for a fresh one. A couple of hundred bucks for the peace of mind is well worth it.
Unless your battery has given you recent signs that it’s failing I wouldn’t worry about it. Usually batteries will slowly fail, not just once overnight. When your car starts cranking slower in the mornings, your battery is in its way out.
I’d bet that your battery is totally ready for a road trip. Remember that your car is charging your battery while you drive it. Don’t make a problem that isn’t there.
I have to disagree with badass1g. When these batteries begin to go bad you will have numerous nagging little elecrical issues and warnings on the DIC...OR...it dies overnight. We just replaced the battery in our `19 GS for peace of mind. Afterall, it is rated as a 42-month battery (3-1/2 years).
Regardless of cost, it is worth replacing the battery and not worrying about a possible failure on the road.
Got 7 years out of it but it died without warning today. Thankfully in the garage. It came back to 95% on the maintainer in an hour. It should start to get it to a place for replacement, correct?
Last edited by Carvin; Aug 12, 2024 at 03:38 PM.
Reason: added
I have had stock Delco batteries go close to 10 years when properly maintained. Climate makes a difference for sure. I actually just replaced the original battery in my new to me 15 other day for peace of mind.
Got 7 years out of it but it died without warning today. Thankfully in the garage. It came back to 95% on the maintainer in an hour. It should start to get it to a place for replacement, correct?
I purchased my C7 in May of 2019, it was built in March of 2019. I trying to decide whether to road trip it or my wife’s Land Rover to Florida. If I drive the C7 should I install a new battery. I have kept it on the tender since it was new while sitting in the garage. The reason I’m asking is due to the horror stories I’ve read about when some of you have done a simple battery change. Thanks in advance for any input.
A well maintained AC Delco battery will last close to 7 years so you have a couple of years of battery life left. If you aren't having problems you more than likely won't have any. However, you will be passing by a lot of dealers during the trip and they can all replace the battery with a 42-month version of the battery you have for about $260.
The Vette is quite comfortable on a long trip but if you want to move around because you can't sit in one position the only thing you can do is move the seat up and down. I imagine your LR will let you move your butt around on the seat to help reduce comfort issues.
The first replacement Delco battery in our 2017 died without warning just shy of 4 years, despite being kept on a tender any time the car sat for more than a couple of days.
For the last 20 years I replaced our Corvette batteries at 3 years, but figured the C7 would last for 4 because the battery was not in the hot engine compartment.
I was wrong.