Brutus 08 Coupe

I'm in the same boat as many others. Car's a little over 3 yrs old and on original battery. Battery did great when new (no battery tender needed), but has deteriorated to full discharge in only 4-5 days (when it's off the battery tender). Discharged it fully 3 times over the years so it's obviously on life support. Battery tender still takes it to a full charge so no warranty claim. Will probably go with an Optima Yellow Top when the time comes...

4thC4at60

I too am on my original battery '07 bought in September '06 - 64K miles.

phileaglesfan

My Impala's died at 40 months, Corvette is currently 34 months old. It still fires up without a problem. I actually check to see if it starts BEFORE I put it on a tender after 14 days of sitting. Fires up every single time.

My Impala's battery had a dead cell. Check the connections. If they are corroding a lot then your battery might be giving you a clue that it is gone.

63C663

Same here - born March 2005!!

JiMmY912

Thanks for all your comments. I had to replace brake pad and engine oil for my wife's car today, and just finished cleaning up house and having a rest with some cold beers, it's really hot today in LA. I haven't had chance for replacing battery for my c6 yet. I'l change it tomorrow, I'm too lazy and tired for now
Is replacing a head light bulb hard? My right side headlight is also dead. I have done it on my previous BMW but this car didn't look easy when I took a look under the hood. Is it a dealership job?

LBL C6

Me too. Bought new Nov, 2k5. Also stays on Battery Tender.

need-for-speed

Batteries last longer if they are stored fully charged. The longer they are stored in a less than charged state, the lead sulphate (that forms on the plates during discharge) becomes hardened which makes it harder to reverse the process (charging caused the lead sulphate to go back into solution - i.e. dissolve).

Bottom line - it would better to keep your battery on a tender all the time vs. waiting 14 days

need-for-speed

One of the reasons I put a gel cell in my C5 was cuz I was worried about the OEM battery leaking. I've been thinking about doing the same w/ my C6, even though the OEM still looks fine.

My company car ('08 Fusion) had a slight leak around the + post. It was not bad enough to see acid, but the post kept getting REAL bad - it would grow a big pile of green powder. Well on Friday it wouldn't start. We had to remove the battery cable end from the battery to clean it up so it would jump start.

Over half of the cable end was gone !! Eaten up. I had to put it in the shop for a new cable.

Another member here had the same thing happen to his C6.

I'm thinking it's time for a red top for my C6!

lh4x4

I have an 02,05,06, 07 and an 08. All with the original batteries and all on a 1.5 amp tender 24/7. Unplug when they leave the garage and reconnected upon returning. Takes all of a few seconds.

Now can anyone tell me why I never have any of the dreaded battery problems with these high parasitic drain vehicles?

carnut08

FWIW. The average life of a lead acid battery like automotive batteries are, is 40 months.

If you live in a hot weather location, it is very likely to be less than 40 months.

Today's 12 volt batteries give little warning when they are about to go.

If a C6 battery is anywhere near the 40 month average life and it shows signs of dying like a slow starter spin, just replace it.

Batteries as a percentage of the cost of a C6 are CHEAP. Just replace it!

benspruce

My 05 (April) is on the original battery and has never been touched. When the 05 came out there was a lot of discussion about Dead Battery Syndrome. But that was related to some manual trannies. My car is the A4, and I don't know if that has anything to do with anything. But I've got 53k miles on the car and nothing going wrong. Maybe I've just been lucky. The only problem I had on a continuing basis was the power top. Once that was solved I've had smooth sailing. I've had the car in most of the western states and it has made me proud.

Rossi6998

I have been following these dead battery posts for about one year now. It is amazing to me that the battery can cause so many problems. It is also amazing to me that some people have no problems with their battery for years, while others have problems with their battery within two to three years.

I would be curious to find out if those who have had premature battery problems if they modified their car in any way (different radio, lightening, changed anything electrical, etc.) or if the car is stock...

Maybe I will look into conducting a poll....

** Update - See Poll titled "Poll - Battery Life". If you meet the criteria, please submit a response. - Thanks! **

2006c6keller

I had a new battery replaced in my 06 C6 approximately two years ago and it started going dead over a period of 4-5 days lately. The first dealer absolutely DID NOT know what they were doing and replaced TWO FOBS and the battery still went dead. I think the same dealer was dead because it took two trips and eight working days to figure out a check engine light that was turned in on the first trip to service department. They finally cleaned the MAFS and RELOADED THE computer. Still the battery went dead after 5 days or so but the check engine light stayed off except when checking on startup.

Then took to another dealer and they reprogramed the computer because the door latches were drawing too much current per them. Figure this out, the car is a little over 5 years old and didn't have this battery problem every 4 to 5 days, had two batteries replaced over this period of time. Will have to wait and see how this door latch reprogram works out, there is supposely a bullitin (none listed on invoice) out for it per the dealer, don't know the number or name of the download.

Ketchum

There is a TSB on 06 for dead battery syndrome with a flash update. Plus a list of checks to make. I skipped all the checks and just had the flash done while I waited. $42.00. Service writer found the TSB in about 5 minutes at his desk. Mine has not sat long enough to see if it helped or not. If not I'll get them to go through the list of items to check.

Mad*Max

I am curious as to whether people's Corvettes start up right away or if it turns a bit before starting. My 01 Trans Am used to fire up as soon as you cranked it but my Vette has never started that way and I wonder if it is the battery.

carnut08

My '08 has always started at the touch of the start button. It's virtually instantaneous. It's necessary to depress the brake pedal first, though!