Battery Replacement
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 935
Likes: 385
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 801
Likes: 408
From: NC
I used an Interstate from Costco. It had the vent tube port and came with the plug in a plastic bag also.
There are only a few companies who actually make batteries anymore.
The Costco Interstate is made in Mexico.
The Walmarts and Autozone are made in China.
I really don't know who makes the AC-Delco ones for Chevy.
East Penn (Deka, Yuasa NA) is one of the few battery plants left in the US.
There are only a few companies who actually make batteries anymore.
The Costco Interstate is made in Mexico.
The Walmarts and Autozone are made in China.
I really don't know who makes the AC-Delco ones for Chevy.
East Penn (Deka, Yuasa NA) is one of the few battery plants left in the US.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
This past week I had to replace the battery in my 2020 Yukon after it got down to the teens here in Houston, Texas. And that's COLD for here. And the kicker is that I had replaced the original on 18Sept2024 with a Diehard Platinum. Now the Diehard battery USED to have a good reputation for a good battery...not so much anymore. Then I took the battery back to Advance Auto in my 2017 GS with its 8 year old original battery. I think when it comes time to replace the battery in the GS that I will go back to the Delco battery.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
This past week I had to replace the battery in my 2020 Yukon after it got down to the teens here in Houston, Texas. And that's COLD for here. And the kicker is that I had replaced the original on 18Sept2024 with a Diehard Platinum. Now the Diehard battery USED to have a good reputation for a good battery...not so much anymore. Then I took the battery back to Advance Auto in my 2017 GS with its 8 year old original battery. I think when it comes time to replace the battery in the GS that I will go back to the Delco battery.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 1,049
From: North Texas
Be aware of Walmart factory OEM parts for lot of them are not.
The scammers have made the boxes and filters look just like OEMs but one detail they could not produce is the small round hologram that Toyota puts on every box. No hologram = counterfeit and also check out the hologram, if it looks not quite right, pass. Also the printing on the box and filter was a bit fuzzy.
Bought 4 filtered from Walmart and 3 did not have the hologram, returned them all and purchased the OEM filters at Toyota which all had hologram stickers.
The scammers have made the boxes and filters look just like OEMs but one detail they could not produce is the small round hologram that Toyota puts on every box. No hologram = counterfeit and also check out the hologram, if it looks not quite right, pass. Also the printing on the box and filter was a bit fuzzy.
Bought 4 filtered from Walmart and 3 did not have the hologram, returned them all and purchased the OEM filters at Toyota which all had hologram stickers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 67
From: BR, LA
Do some research on pulling the rear carpet and after that the job is very straightforward. Take care and pull the negative terminal first and avoid shorting across terminals with any metal tools and you should be OK. There are some good (and not so good) youtube videos out there,
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Go with the correct AC Delco. I found better prices at the Chevy dealer than auto parts stores as well as a better warranty. Another thing to think about when you hear the ditty about batterys being made by the same manufacturer. It's not about who makes it, it's all about who it's made for.
By the way, the C7 Charging system isn't compatible with AGM batteries. It applies a voltage at least a half volt higher than what an AGM battery is designed for.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 67
From: BR, LA
Whether this actually matters or not, or would result in the service life of an AGM being less than that of a wet cell, is a matter of great debate and is not settled science.
Many Vettes stay on tenders, which is a good idea regardless of battery type, so as long as your tender is AGM compatible you will reach max voltage. I say go for it if you want the obvious advantages AGM's bring. If not, wet cells are available also.
In experience there doesn't appear to be many C7 (or C6 or C5) owners complaining about short AGM battery life and there are plenty out there with AGM's in service.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
My understanding is that the C7 charging system will actually slightly undercharge an AGM battery versus the flooded wet cell battery.
Whether this actually matters or not, or would result in the service life of an AGM being less than that of a wet cell, is a matter of great debate and is not settled science.
Many Vettes stay on tenders, which is a good idea regardless of battery type, so as long as your tender is AGM compatible you will reach max voltage. I say go for it if you want the obvious advantages AGM's bring. If not, wet cells are available also.
In experience there doesn't appear to be many C7 (or C6 or C5) owners complaining about short AGM battery life and there are plenty out there with AGM's in service.
Whether this actually matters or not, or would result in the service life of an AGM being less than that of a wet cell, is a matter of great debate and is not settled science.
Many Vettes stay on tenders, which is a good idea regardless of battery type, so as long as your tender is AGM compatible you will reach max voltage. I say go for it if you want the obvious advantages AGM's bring. If not, wet cells are available also.
In experience there doesn't appear to be many C7 (or C6 or C5) owners complaining about short AGM battery life and there are plenty out there with AGM's in service.
This is the info on how AGM batteries should be charged:
The typical charging voltage for an AGM battery is between 14.4 and 14.8 volts when fully charged, with variations depending on the battery's specific characteristics and temperature; this voltage is usually reached during the "absorption" stage of charging, while the "float" stage maintains a slightly lower voltage to prevent overcharging, around 13.6-13.8 volts.
Key points about AGM battery charging voltage:
- Important considerations:
Using a charger designed specifically for AGM batteries is recommended to avoid damaging the battery by applying excessive voltage. !!!!!!!!!
- Charging stages:
AGM batteries go through three charging stages: bulk (high current, rapid charging), absorption (near full charge, voltage maintained), and float (maintenance charge at a lower voltage). - Temperature compensation:
The ideal charging voltage can adjust based on battery temperature, requiring a charger with temperature compensation features.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 67
From: BR, LA
"Whether this actually matters or not, or would result in the service life of an AGM being less than that of a wet cell, is a matter of great debate and is not settled science."
Excellent detailed info above. But the fact remains there is no conclusive real world data that shows AGM's experience poor service life in C7 (or C5, or C6) Corvettes.
Cheers.
Excellent detailed info above. But the fact remains there is no conclusive real world data that shows AGM's experience poor service life in C7 (or C5, or C6) Corvettes.
Cheers.
Last edited by AndyCBR; Jan 28, 2025 at 07:17 PM. Reason: closed before done
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,820
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
"Whether this actually matters or not, or would result in the service life of an AGM being less than that of a wet cell, is a matter of great debate and is not settled science."
Excellent detailed info above. But the fact remains there is no conclusive real world data that shows AGM's experience poor service life in C7 (or C5, or C6) Corvettes.
Cheers.
Excellent detailed info above. But the fact remains there is no conclusive real world data that shows AGM's experience poor service life in C7 (or C5, or C6) Corvettes.
Cheers.
Bill
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 67
From: BR, LA
Why take a chance? Good Data indicates it could be a problem. There also isn't a lot of real-world data that indicates AGM batteries last any longer in a Corvette application than well-maintained standard batteries. There is also a paucity of data when it comes to whether there is sufficient extra lifetime to justify the extra cost of purchasing an AGM battery. That leaves you with the potential of damaging a higher-priced battery that doesn't provide any extra durability.
Bill
Bill
My belief is there is no real chance of "damage". If there is any real world data to support the theory of poor service life or "damage" from AGM's installed in a C7, C6, or C5, please post it.
-AGM construction has the most obvious advantage of eliminating possible leaks or spills versus wet acid models. This is not to be understated once the battery is mounted inside a passenger compartment.
-AGM batteries are less likely to spill and catch fire in a collision.
-Many users report longer life from AGM batteries, in general, that would likely be impossible in a wet cell. It's simply a more modern and durable design overall and becoming the standard in many makes and models from the factory. It likely won't become the standard for all makes and models though, mainly due to cost.
-The wet cell failure modes of mounted plates coming loose or settled piles of sulfate shorting out the plates from the bottom is eliminated. AGM's can sulfate though (albeit, at a slower rate than wet cell)
-AGM batteries have a lower self discharge rate than wet cell batteries.
-AGM batteries perform better in cold conditions.
It's just a better mousetrap overall. I believe C7 owners can take advantage of that even with a charging system that wasn't designed specifically for the AGM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Great discussion Bill!
My belief is there is no real chance of "damage". If there is any real world data to support the theory of poor service life or "damage" from AGM's installed in a C7, C6, or C5, please post it.
-AGM construction has the most obvious advantage of eliminating possible leaks or spills versus wet acid models. This is not to be understated once the battery is mounted inside a passenger compartment.
-AGM batteries are less likely to spill and catch fire in a collision.
-Many users report longer life from AGM batteries, in general, that would likely be impossible in a wet cell. It's simply a more modern and durable design overall and becoming the standard in many makes and models from the factory. It likely won't become the standard for all makes and models though, mainly due to cost.
-The wet cell failure modes of mounted plates coming loose or settled piles of sulfate shorting out the plates from the bottom is eliminated. AGM's can sulfate though (albeit, at a slower rate than wet cell)
-AGM batteries have a lower self discharge rate than wet cell batteries.
-AGM batteries perform better in cold conditions.
It's just a better mousetrap overall. I believe C7 owners can take advantage of that even with a charging system that wasn't designed specifically for the AGM.
My belief is there is no real chance of "damage". If there is any real world data to support the theory of poor service life or "damage" from AGM's installed in a C7, C6, or C5, please post it.
-AGM construction has the most obvious advantage of eliminating possible leaks or spills versus wet acid models. This is not to be understated once the battery is mounted inside a passenger compartment.
-AGM batteries are less likely to spill and catch fire in a collision.
-Many users report longer life from AGM batteries, in general, that would likely be impossible in a wet cell. It's simply a more modern and durable design overall and becoming the standard in many makes and models from the factory. It likely won't become the standard for all makes and models though, mainly due to cost.
-The wet cell failure modes of mounted plates coming loose or settled piles of sulfate shorting out the plates from the bottom is eliminated. AGM's can sulfate though (albeit, at a slower rate than wet cell)
-AGM batteries have a lower self discharge rate than wet cell batteries.
-AGM batteries perform better in cold conditions.
It's just a better mousetrap overall. I believe C7 owners can take advantage of that even with a charging system that wasn't designed specifically for the AGM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 67
From: BR, LA
In the case of any occasional use vehicle it is really best to have it on a tender when not in use. In the case of the C7 with an AGM I think it is probably even more relevant since it is true the C7 charging system will not get an AGM up to 100% charge by itself. Now, does it get it to 89%, or 92%, or 96%? I have no idea, and I posit that it doesn't really matter.
It's an individual choice, and for me, I chose the Costco/Interstate AGM for $169.99 + tax at the time.