Bill'sWS6

iTrader: (6)

I need to replace my Optima Redtop battery and am not so sure I want to go with another one after reading some of the reviews and problems people have been having with them. I haven't had any real issues with my redtop except that my car has been stored 99% of the time for the last 1.5 yrs, summer and winter. I don't think I started it enough over the winters and now think it has gone bad.

I jump started it about a month ago and let it run for about 45 mins (idle and medium rpms to 2,000), no driving. I turned it off and it started right back up several times. I went back out there 4-5 days later to start it again and not even a click.

So, any opinions on batteries? I only drive the car on average about 1,000 miles a year. I am also thinking of selling it in May or June so I hope not to spend $300 on a top of the line battery.

Thanks for any comments.

Bill

99 Blue Bird

iTrader: (3)

y dont you just charge it? im sure it would hold the charge. and i dont mean let your car charge it. put it on an actual battery charger. then when your not using the car unplug your cables from the battery.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I bought an ACDelco 5 year battery. I don't see the point in spending money for an expensive battery, especially if one doesn't have a bunch of electronic stuff. However, there are plenty of battery threads on this site which people argue about what battery to buy. Just keep in mind your specific needs -- which it seems is just to have a reliable start.

gMAG

iTrader: (1)

Die Hard Gold battery. Buy a battery tender. During the winter, I've noticed that the charge falls off quicker, so I just leave the tender on.

beyonddisturbed

iTrader: (5)

rockin the red top here no issues its been solid for the last 9 mo. $130 from advanced with a code online and in store pickup.

MZAC

Wal-Mart 3 or 5 year free repalcement.Had there batteries in all of my cars if it dies before the warranty is up they hand you a brand new one.

Starz T/A 17

iTrader: (6)

I got mine at advanced with a coupon for like $60 with a decent warranty. Overall I dont see the point in spending a lot of money for a battery. There are only 2 scenarios that I would spend more for a better battery. 1. I cared about every last point and bought a light weight battery 2. I relocated it to the truck or inside of car I would spend the extra cash for optima since its gel I wouldn't have to worry about it leaking. Other then that I would just buy one from a store that you know will stand behind the warrenty.

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

You aren't supposed to kill/drain the red tops. Mine was acting weak as well after a couple years in service and I thought it was just a shitty battery. The truth is I was letting the car sit too long without a float charger. I decided to float charge the Optima and see how it goes. It's doing better then ever now even during the periods where I leave the charger off. If the car sits, it needs a charger, end of story.

Bill'sWS6

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for all the comments. I will try a trickle charger on the battery before I buy a new one. I'm not sure how old the battery is since it was in the car when I bought it. I know just letting it sit (especially through the winter) is not real smart.

I hope to get it up and running in the next month.

99SSJarhead

iTrader: (2)

All things considering, if you are looking to sell anyway, just toss in a walmart replacement and save some cash

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

8+ years on a Optima yellowtop. I killed it dead plenty of times.

If you jump the car, run it then the battery is charged, then after a few days of sitting it'd dead again, I'd look for a drain.

It could be something as silly as the glovebox light staying on.

TURBO BUICK

iTrader: (1)

Bill,get yourself a Deltron Battery Tender for the times that you are storing your car. In the meantime put a charge in your battery with a GOOD Professional charger or jump start your car and then drive it and put some miles on it. I believe what is happening is that you have the battery hooked up and the PCM is draining it. Sometimes with these newer cars they have 2 or even 3 computers and when they sit with the battery hooked up the computers drain the hell out of them. I have about 6 vehicles in storage with the Optima Red Top batteries but what I do is disconnect the batteries and hookup a Deltron Battery Tender. You can buy one anywhere from about $49.95 to about $69.95 for the Battery Tender Plus. Best money you will ever spend. Shop around, you can find them for as low as $49.95. Hope this helps. Rich

JeremyKrauss

I've got an Autozone Duralast Gold on mine for now...works fine, starts the car.
I basically destroyed one starting the car without the alternator, trying to make sure the car was going to work before i bolted stuff all over the front of it; after one day it no longer charged. Took it back, they tested it, and handed me another one, no questions asked.

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

Autozone battery and trickle charger

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

imterstates are great batteries and arent expensive.

my car sits for months at a time. as long as ive used a battery tender i havent had a problem.

Insano Z28

I upgraded my battery to an Interstate shortly after I bought the car (along with nre alternator). Very strong and reliable it is. I got the pair from Summit racing, $120 for the battery.

mebuildit

Braille batteries

Fry_

I've never had a problem with wal-mart batteries and the last 3 cars I bought have had Interstate batteries in them and they've worked great. I had to replace the one in my p.o.s. Grand Prix the first year I owned the car only to discover that it was a 7yr old 60month battery. I've also had great luck with my $15 wal-mart 1.5amp trickle charger/maintainer I ignore the fact that it says it's meant for motorcycles and use it on everything, it can charge up my half dead truck battery in under 12hrs.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Your cars alternator isn't designed to charge a dead battery, not even one that's almost dead. It's only to top it off while the engine is running.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

While this may be technically true, I've jump-started many cars with dead batteries and in time, the car fully charged the battery.