Bigeasy

I bought the ctek battery maintainer option when I ordered my Z06. When I went to start my car after being in the garage for a month, the battery was gone and the maintainer was still showing green on the indicator. The ctek thing died and took,my battery with it. When I notified ctek they told me that since this came from chevrolet they would not back it. Chevrolet told me that even though I got an extended warrantee they would no cover it either.
Bottom line, don’t buy it. Buy a maintainer on line and even if it is a ctek it is cheaper and they back it for five years.
Bad deal.

TXshaggy

Obvious question, but was it plugged into the hatch receptacle?

Bigeasy

Absolutely
since it comes with a hard wired plug that only fits the hatch receptical. There is no choice. Besides the charger failed

Chonger

I have used a CTEK on my car(s) for the last 15 years w/zero issues. Sorry to hear about your experience sound like you got a defective one.

ShagVette

The OEM GM model is a watered down CTEK 3000 right? Assume they changed something to make it cost cheaper.

Maxpowers

I don't have a ctek but my understanding there should be two green lights on during maintain mode. Did you see two or one?

TXshaggy

I asked because many have used the front cockpit cig lighter and that is not hot.

madrob2020

^^^^^this. PS:Have used 2, one on '14 & now on '16.

HorsePowerObsessed

I've used mine for 2 years now... No issues whatsoever. Mine is a 2015 so the battery is likely not going to last much longer but I have a feeling it's lasted as long as it has because of the battery tender.

383vett

When you said the battery was "gone", did you mean discharged or was it replaced by GM?

Bigeasy

Gm would not replace anything. The battery was fully discharged. Was able to save it by getting another charger/maintainer.

Bigeasy

I have a 2015 also but. Expect the battery would last at least six or seven years with a good maintainer at least that was my experience with both my c5 and C6 z06’s.

Bigeasy

Only one was showing when I went to start the car. I think you are correct that two should have been showing. The charger was not working.

Bigeasy

I believe you are right. I have had good luck with the commercial CTEK products but the one that Chevy uses is a watered down version that even CTEK won’t back or so they told me.

rikhek

I've always chuckled in amazement wondering if anybody actually bought these GROSSLY overpriced GM/Corvette tenders. I guess if you stick a Corvette sticker on anything people will buy it and pay the Corvette tax. I can't comprehend why...

I have 7 of these bought for $9.99/tender less a 20% Harbor Freight coupon. I cut the clamps off and hard wire to battery.


Wal Mart also sells tenders but they cost nearly 3x as much as Harbor Freight and don't work any better.

Bigeasy

You are so right.

SUB VETTE

Costco usually has the Battery Tender Plus in stock too at a decent price. I have two of them on my garaged vehicles. The one on my 06 C6 is still going strong since the day I brought the car home new.

Bill Dearborn

Who pays list price for the GM Battery Saver? By the time you get done negotiating it is pretty much free. I doubt CTEK does anything to lower the cost of the units as that would be a manufacturing nightmare. There is enough difference with the logo and the cigar lighter plug. CTEK more than likely has enough margin in the product that they can build the special versions for GM without worrying about reducing the circuitry inside the unit. Acquisition cost of the electronics in the CTEK are probably less than $10 each with a volume purchase. Why spend good design money trying to save a few cents per charger, if you could save that much. It would take a lot of sales to break even.

Bill

RegnaR

Well, lots of new corvettes come with them at no cost.. Had one on my C6 for 5 years with no issues and have had one on my c7 this year with no issues.

B-Reiter

Have been using Battery Saver's digital trickle chargers with absolute perfect luck. Have them on every truck & Vettes. They are maintainers, testers, and cleaners.