GR8-LIFE

I'm begining to see some posts indicating problems with Optima batteries. i myslef have had one for abou 18 mos and I have been getting a low voltage message on the DIC when starting the car.

A friend of mine tracks his car and after 2 weeks, his car is completely dead if he had not started it in that time frame. And right now there is a post in the technical section about an owner with starting problems who also has an OPTIMA Battery.

Your thoughts? Experiences?

Cocked and Locked

No problems with mine, but I suppose a few bad ones could pop up with anything, Of course it could be a problem with something other than the battery too. I would have an electrical check done to pinpoint it.

98silverC5

I have had a yellow top now for 3 years with no problems at all. These cars will kill the battery if left idle for a while but 2 weeks does seem too quick.

Dave68

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1026859

DC-STRO

Three red tops at my house with no problems....

Vettman 1

No problems with my Redtop

WhiteC5Vette

I have, but not on the Vette, it still has the stock Delco AGM battery. I have had two Optimas fail, one a red top, one a yellow top, both installed in off-road vehicles. One failed 35 miles into the White Rim Trail last year...like the middle of nowhere. The yellow top was about a year old. Lucky, I run a dual battery setup and the second battery; an Odyssey got me home. The bad yellow top was replaced with no questions asked.

rickko

I've owned one Redtop. Had it in a off-road jeep.

What I DO remember is the owner information that came with it STRONGLY recommended the battery be removed from the vehicle every 6mos. and trickle charged for 24 hours whether it 'seemed' to need it or not.

I followed that advice religiously. Never had a problem with the $99-from-COSTCO battery.

During the period of ownership with Redtop installed I probably drove the car about one day per month, maybe two.

..rickko..

C5naples

I have had an Optima for a year now with no problems. What's the alternative? A leaky Delco?

Dave68

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/

blacksedan87

I've had an Optima Red-Top 75/35 for about 18 months. there are times that my car sits for about a week at a time without starting. I've never had a single problem with the Optima.

Next time I have to replace any of the batteries in the other household vehicles, I won't hesitate for a minute to buy another Optima.

Avanti

I think I have 6 of them now--just put one in the '01 C-5 daily driver in Jan when the original Delco went belly up. My oldest Red Top is pushing 8 years old and still seems as strong as ever.

The only problem I ever had was one damaged somewhere enroute, since the factory packaging has deteriorated over the years (far less ultra-high density foam in the bottom of the box).

Any massed produced product will occasionally be faulty. But, it allows the product to be cheap enough to buy. I've bought all mine from Summit Racing (no Costco, etc. where I live) and a call to customer svc on a Friday night (really!) got a replacement for the damaged one shipped the next morning without question, only about a 15 second pause for a supervisor's approval. Some know how to do business!

Overall, I could not be more pleased with Optimas.

All the best.

Easygoing

I bought a costco redtop(made sure it was a fresh one) and it went totally dead in 3 months. I had a battery tender on it as well. It would not take a charge and acted like it was shorted out when I tried to charge it. I am on my second one now and I hope I do better this time around. The warrenty is good, but I just want something I don't have to mess with. I feel like the Michael Jackson jury, theres some strange stuff going on here!

Chaz 01

No problems w/my RedTop. The even sent me a free hold down clamp, all I had to do was ask and send a e-mail - no charge

Oskee

My Red Top Optima is still going strong after 5 years in my Y2K C5 with no problems.

leadfoot4

I've had one of the "smaller" Optimas in my Camaro for 3-4 years. It, as well as my 2001 C-5, is stored in the winter. I put a charger on them for an hour or so every week, and start both cars every 2-3 weeks and let them warm up.

The Camaro's Optima started getting a little weak toward the end of last year. I just replaced it with a DieHard Gold. I realize that leaving the battery in the cars and connected probably isn't the best thing to do. However, disconnecting, re-connecting to start them, dis-connecting again, and reprogramming the radios, is just too much hassle. Hopefully, the red-top in the C-5 will last for a few more years.

Vetteman Jack

I've had my red top for three and a half years now with no problems. If I know I'm not going to drive the car for a while, I do hook it up to a battery maintainer.

c5BlackBeauty

No problems thus far with my Yellow

Wild BillD

I'm on my third in two years. (great return policy) I have to go two weeks or longer sometimes due to business or weather, severe battery drain caused by proximity lock/unlock setting on the key fob. Every time it sat more than three days the battery was drained. (I now keep my keys somewhere more private) 2nd battery was just a dog, problems from day one. 3rd battery has been going strong for many months and seems to be the charm. I was never stranded, but it's very frustrating to be looking forward to the ride after a long trip and/or stretch of bad weather, only to hear nothing when the unlock button is pushed.

DRR

I reply on all the Optima posts with my troubles. I have 3. One red, one yellow, and one blue. The yellow cost me the most, but they don't make anything but a yellow top for this car. The problem came at 13 months and suddenly on a road trip it would not start after being turned off. No warning such as battery or alt. light. I then found out that yellow tops are only free replacement for 12 months and had to pay $70 for a new one. DO NOT BUY A YELLOW TOP UNLESS YOU WANT A SHORTER WARRANTY. Doug