Battery Lfe Expectancy

[Ed02]

Hi all,
Does anyone have an idea of how long a GM AGM battery usually lasts. I figure mine is over 3 years old now and we have some long trips coming up and I always like to be proactive about this kind of stuff. Battery voltage is fine and I only run it on the weekends except for trips. Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks
Ed

 

['04 Torch Red]

Hi all,
Does anyone have an idea of how long a GM AGM battery usually lasts. I figure mine is over 3 years old now and we have some long trips coming up and I always like to be proactive about this kind of stuff. Battery voltage is fine and I only run it on the weekends except for trips. Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks
Ed

Mine usually last 5 years or more...You should be good to go

 

[Ed02]

Thanks Torch, That's usually how long my others last, but it never hurts to ask since this is my first Vette.

 

[Grizzly]

Myself, I replace standard type batteries before they are 4 years old. I don't have any experience with the jell cells. I can usually move them to another vehicle like the old pickup or sell them for a couple bucks. Kids always want them. The electronics in today's cars are too sensitive. A surge from a jump at the side of the road could fry all kinds of things that a $20 a year investment ($80 over four years) in a battery could have avoided.

 

[c5vetter]

had to replace my "original" battery in my 2001 Z06 in November - no warning what so ever - started the car in the garage and drove to the local WalMart - came out and it woudn't start - jumped the car and drove to a local garage - battery fried!!!!!!!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Ed02,

Delco discontinued the AGM battery due to quality / reliability issues.

My 1999 C5 coupe is on its third Delco battery since I purchased the car new. When I drive my C5, it is usually for a long (50 - 100 mile) drive.

I'm not sure why, but batteries do not seem to last as long in a C5 as other cars. Perhaps because many are stored during the winter or not driven frequently?

A replacment battery is cheap insurance. You might want to consider replacing it before a long trip. Good luck.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
Many issues affect battery life, electrical system maintenance, draws, usage, storage and the like.
Battery quality has also been an issue.
Each specific car must be evaluated on its own driving cycle, electrical integrity and other factors.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[Hitman1]

C4C5Specialist,

I have noticed that the factory battery lasts 5 years while the replacement battery, though Delco, would last only a year!! I noticed that on several cars. Is there something special about the factory batteries or is it just the aging of the car?

 

[Ed02]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful insight. I feel the same as c4c5, it's an individual thing but get enough input and you can come out with an average answer. Since I hate surprises like C5vetter had, I think I'll go get an Optima and be done with it. Thanks to all for the responses.

 

[vetmaniac]

The original AGM battery in our '02 lasted less than a year due to holding charge problem. Replaced under warranty with Delco 7-year "wet" battery. That battery would not hold a charge after about a year. Said to hell with Delco and the warranty - replaced with Optima last Sunday. Even though the car is a garage queen (3900 original miles) it goes on a Battery Tender to maintain charge. The AGM and wet battery just failed. I even had a little of the dreaded "white corrosion" (battery acid) just beginning to form on the bolt under the battery tray so I guess replacement was a blessing in disguise.

 

[cole]

Hi all,
Does anyone have an idea of how long a GM AGM battery usually lasts. I figure mine is over 3 years old now and we have some long trips coming up and I always like to be proactive about this kind of stuff. Battery voltage is fine and I only run it on the weekends except for trips. Any advice is always appreciated. Thanks
Ed

Climate matters. In AZ, wet cell batteries can die in a year - regardless of brands. All the gel cell batteries - Optimas being the big name - seem to hold up for much longer. BUT... even some of my Optimas have failed in a couple of years. Replaced by Optima, but still failed. The good thing about the gel cells is that they seem to not leak and are much safer for those of us with PCM's directly underneath.

 

[Patrick]

The good thing about the gel cells is that they seem to not leak and are much safer for those of us with PCM's directly underneath.

Cole,
I was under the impression by some of the folks in my local Corvette club that the gel cell batteries like Optima are the ones specifically intended for the Corvette, precisely because you are less likely to get battery acid, which means you on board computer is far less likely to have a catastrophic failure as a result of battery acid being dripped on it. (As an aside, I've always thought Chevrolet should have made sure owners of C5 fully understood where the PCM was located, and therefore how critical it was that when it came time for a new battery, you got a gel cell like the Optima.)

I have heard true horror stories about folks who replaced the factory installed Optima with a battery they picked up at Checker Auto Parts, only to have the battery develop a battery acid problem, and the acid ruining the on-board computer.


-Patrick

 

[MsSchroder]

Ed02,

My battery in my 02 lasted a mere 2 years. Well, not quite even that. It failed miserably after about 18 months.

Patrick, I'm glad you mentioned that. A couple of buddies at Bowling Green a few weeks ago noticed a little acid dripping of the replacement battery, and I had nearly forgotten. I MUST do something about that this weekend :W
Tammy

 

[DoomDriver]

I can't figure out why a place like AZ would be hard on batteries. In Canada, batteries last about 5 years. My 01 Vette will likely need a new one soon but I wouldn't run out and replce it until there was sone good reason. I sold my 98 SS last year (a little over 6 years) and the battery was still good.

The only thing I can think of is we only get to drive the sports cars for 6 or 7 months of the year. Mine too are garage queens!

 

[Grizzly]

I can't figure out why a place like AZ would be hard on batteries. In Canada, batteries last about 5 years. My 01 Vette will likely need a new one soon but I wouldn't run out and replce it until there was sone good reason. I sold my 98 SS last year (a little over 6 years) and the battery was still good.

The only thing I can think of is we only get to drive the sports cars for 6 or 7 months of the year. Mine too are garage queens!

My guess that because it is very hot and very dry wet cells just evaporate, slowly, but they evaporate.