Hey there.. I have an 03 that i got last march.. This is the first winter for me..

And I need some advice, Etc.... Do i need to pull the battery for the winter? Or if I start her and roll her onto the driveway until she is fully warmed up once or twice a month is this ok?

I guess the 03 has a so called "gel cell" battery.. I found this out because since I picked it up a few weeks later i was getting (charge system fault) errors... Finally a 2 weeks ago i went to start her and she didnt even turn over...

I just took it into the dealer 3 weeks ago and got her back.. They told me that these batteries are very sensitive and if there not at full charge they will give these error messages.. So they charged it to full (which i tried to do but i think my charger is feeling sick it wouldnt register full charge)

Anyways the service tech told me to remove the battery, which I can but i really dont want to unless its a must (so i need advice) In order to pull her into the garage and make room for the snow blower she is pinned VERY close to the wall and I cannot get at the battery unless I take up rock cocaine and get back to my birth weight... I just can't fit....

Thanks in advance all...

Regards

Romeo

[IMG][/IMG] :boxing :boxing

 

I don't know about Gel Cell, but I have Battery Tenders on all mine and they seem to work great. They maintain the battery between 13.8 and 14.2 just like the alternator would. I got them off ebay for $50.00 each. The coolest feature is that you can wire a plug onto your battery terminals and leave it there, and plug the tender into the wall, and into the car as needed. Simple and quick, and the cars are always good to go.

 

Do yourself a favor and install an " OPTIMA " and forget all the problems that the Delco "JUNK" does for you. That's my 2 CTS. :cheers: :chevy :)

 

Agree with both posts above -

1. A lot of people replace the GM battery with an Optima

2. - if you don't, I use a battery tender as well (emphasis on the word tender, not charger!). Works great. I got mine from the NCM (National Corvette Museum). I'd rather support our own museum than a retail store. Same price too. AND, if you're a member, you get 10% discount off anything from the store. I'd highly recommend it. If you need any info, just email me and I can send you some stuff!

I probably have a list of "winterizing" tips somewhere too if you need it.

Good Luck! :cheers:


[Modified by TOBASCO, 12:56 PM 12/27/2003]

 

In the 3 years I have had my Z06, I have experimented with this quite a bit:

Year 1: Left battery connected and tried to start the car once a month. Result: Battery died anyway, would not hold charge for more than 3 weeks.

Year 2: Left battery connected and added battery tender: Result: Car was stone dead when I went to start it in the spring. Apparently the power of the battery tender is not enough to offset the draw of the electrical system.

Year 3. Disconnected negative battery terminal and added battery tender. Result: Success! After reconnecting the battery, the car fired right up and the battery had full charge. I did not even lose my radio presets or memory settings.

I'd recommend disconnecting the negative terminal. It is any easy thing to do, and ensures you will not have a dead battery in the spring. I do not see why anyone would want to remove the entire battery from the car.

 

Just get a battery tender (maintainer). You can get one at Sears for $40 easy to install. Come spring un plug and start er up zooooooooooom. :auto:

 

Here is what I've been doing for years.
Disconnect the negative side of the battery. Charge it up with a battery charger. After 6 weeks or so (middle of winter) I put the charger back on and when it says it's charged I disconnect. Before you start it up and start driving it I charge it up again.

I've been doing this along with my boat batteries (I use three for them)and it works!

Here is my list for Winter:


1. Keep in the garage (heated if you could).
2. Change oil and filter (Mobile 1).
3. Wash and clean car, detail including rubber, and wheel wells.
4. Check anti-freeze protection.
5. Clean garage where it's stored and put down plastic as a moisture barrier under the entire car including the tires.
6. Put on a good car cover on. (I use Max Tech), but whatever you like. Don't put anything on top of the car!
7. Disconnect the negative side of the battery. Charge up the battery. (I do this for my boat batteries I charge them half way through the winter again and then right before you start it!
8. Don't start the car until spring, it will be fine! I do not recommend running the engine because a warm engine creates water condensation when it cools down. But if you do start the car make sure it is at normal operating temperature before shutting it off.
9. I always put Stabil in to a full tank of gas run it to get through the fuel system. I do this for all my stored engines. Last up to 15 months.
10. Inflate tires to 5 lbs. over proper pressue.
11. I cover the exhaust pipes so nothing gets in there.
You can put in some moth ***** or Irish Spring or cedar for those little guys and some moisture protection bags in there.
If you remove the battery, put it on some wood. Don't put it on concrete!


**How about the insurance? Just need fire and theft? Why pay for more than what you need? Save yourself a bundle for next year!**

:thumbs:

 

:iagree: 100% w/ ADE 1000......Disconnect negative terminal, put on Battery Tender for storage period. Start up car in spring. I don't even mess w/ starting the car during storage. Good luck.