service scam?
 

Hello - I took my car to a local dealer to get the brakes checked out. I got a phone call from service saying that I needed a new battery, something about my current one having battery acid on it.

Honestly, looking at the battery myself I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between battery acid and general crud on top of the battery.

I replied that I never had any trouble starting my car and she said the car seemed to be taking a few extra cycles to start.

I bought my vette new 3 years ago and I've never had to change the battery in any car I've ever owned that was < 4 years old.

I'm not sure if a little battery acid on top of a 3 year old battery is normal (no impact) or if some crud on top is most likely just general crud. Maybe I can get experience feedback from other C6 owners.

So does this sound like a possible scam? Are you aware of other dealerships who try to pull a similar scam? I think I was quoted $175 for a new battery, maybe it's an easy, high profit add on that they try to push on customers to bump their overall profit?

Most dealers I've been to will try to ad on and try to get you to buy stuff you dont really need. I aways say I'll take care of it later then check it myself. If you got no starting problems I would say no to a new battery.

Have the battery tested with the GR8. Every GM dealer has this tool. If the battery test good, the corrosion can be cleaned off the battery terminals. If the corrosion returns because the battery is leaking around the post(s) battery can be replaced.

I honestly believe that dealers instruct their mechanics to "Look" for problems or issues, or fabricate some, just to generate more cash flow for the dealership. I won't use a dealer unless I have no other options. They cannot be trusted IMO. But if you don't have a good mechanic on hand, usually your screwed, and have to use a dealer.

The service department at dealerships are cash cows. I rarely go to the dealer but my attitude whenever I did is to have them fix the things I brought it in for. If they find something unrelated I thank them politely and look at the issue myself later. I have no idea if it was a scam or not. But if you didn't have any issues with starting the car before you brought the car in, you probably have your answer. I would clean the battery terminals and surrounding areas such as the wiring, etc.

Guess you are out of your 3yr 36000 mile warranty?

@cale - thanks for the tip, I did not know about the GR8 tool.
Sounds like the GR8 tool measures remaining battery power/life?
Do you know anything about the measurement units/scale used? I'm just trying to think of the best way to ask the question? For example:

"Can you give me the GR8 [unit/measurement] for the battery?

Also, do you know the meaning of the measurements? For example, the tool may use a scale of 0-10 where 8 or higher is excellent and 3 or less means it needs to be replaced?

it's a business of course they are trying to add to the sale. it is not unusual for a battery to last 3-4 years and Delco batteries did have LEAK ISSUES.

I had the opposite happen to me.I was at the Honda dealer getting the oil changed in my DD. I know I should do it myself,but a car under warranty,I just let them do it.
I saw that they offered a free service to check the condition of the battery so I had them check it. My car is an 09 with about 40,000 miles,so I had been expecting to change it soon anyway.
Well they said that there was no need to change the battery,everything checked out great.
Two days later,my car does not start because the battery failed.I replaced it myself and they lost a battery sale.

I thought that these were sealed batteries, so if there is acid outside of the case the thing has a crack in it. This occurred with the 2002 FireBird with the original battery and it was replaced under warranty. Made a mess under the hood and acid ate some wiring up. Failure happened on a several mile long bridge here in Florida during rush hour.

Original battery in my Corvette failed in less than three years and again the battery was replaced under warranty.

If the case is cracked, shouldn't this be covered under warranty?

Yes do clean it with a baking soda wash if acid drips I think it may effect wiring and modules under it know c5 had this issue. If leakage comes back replace battery.
z51vett
Doug

Seems like that should be a warranty item. Most batteries have more than a 3 year warranty, and part of that time is full replacement, part prorated.

And besides ... doesn't the car come with a 4 year/48,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty?

This is the warranty info I found when googling for the 2011 corvette:

Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years/36,000 miles

Powertrain:
5 years/100,000 miles

Corrosion/Rust:
6 years/100,000 miles

Roadside Assistance:
5 years/100,000 miles

I bought my vette in April 2011 so it would be just outside of a bumper-to-bumper 3 year warranty :(

April 2011 expires in April 2014.....

I'm no mathematician but doesnt that mean your warranty is good till April 2014? It's only been 2 years, not 3.

Normal battery price should be around the $100 mark. I would not pay $175 for a battery.

I will be on the other side of the fence here.

You have checked the battery and found acid on it. It is sealed and should not leak at all. The computer module for the engine is located beneath the battery so don’t play around with leaks. I have had 2 Delco batteries leak and replaced both under warranty.

A leaky battery does not mean you will have trouble with starting the car. The fact that you are not have trouble mean nothing.

thanks for the catch on the model year! I had 2010 in my head for some reason.

I called the service lady and explained that my car was still under bumper to bumper warranty.

She said she didn't know if the battery was covered under that warranty and would have to get back to me.

I replied that a battery leaking battery acid seemed like a manufacturer's defect rather than an issue due to normal wear and tear.

I googled "car battery warranty" and it looks like some car batteries are covered under warranty for 3 years. I'm not sure if that's the case here?

Is that something you would expect the dealership to handle? Switch out the battery for free and handle the battery warranty issue with the manufacturer?

That IS covered unless your corvette battery is outside of the bumper. That is a total scumbag move by the stealership and no way on earth would I let it fly. Insist on replacement, read em the riot act and submit an honest and scathing report to GM. Find a new dealer too ...

I wasn't sure if the battery was covered under bumper to bumper warranty. For example, tires and brake pads would not be and I don't think brake rotors would be either. Wasn't sure about the battery though?

Do you have a good url to vette warranty info online which states the items that are covered and not covered under warranty?