- Nobody wants to find their Corvette with a dead battery. This guide will show you how to avoid that and keep your car on the road.
- Jump Starter
- Jump Start Procedure
- Changing Batteries
Nobody wants to find their Corvette with a dead battery. This guide will show you how to avoid that and keep your car on the road.
A stock Corvette is a fantastic car. But the real joy comes from modifying it, especially under the hood. Some folks like to dress it up with chrome or painted bits. Others go for big power with forced induction. But no matter what you do, your Corvette is not going anywhere if it has a dead battery. You could spend thousands of dollars to get your Corvette to your taste, but a simple couple hundred dollar battery could let it all down. A battery is a perishable item, and it will eventually wear out no matter what you do. This battery health guide was put together with the help of the pros from Clore Automotive who are leaders in the battery technology field. And while you will eventually need a new battery this guide will help you get the most out of it.
Back in the days of the C1, C2, and C3 generations maintaining and swapping out a battery was simple. Starting with the C4 more and more electronics were introduced. And while those electronics have many benefits, they make changing a battery and getting caught with a dead one more complex. If you have a new C8 and your battery dies, you need to jump through hoops just to get to the battery in the frunk. Pull out the emergency key, find the hidden keyhole under the side vent, pull the release loop twice to get into the frunk, and so on. Trust us, you would rather avoid that hassle. This battery health guide will help you and covers jump starters, jump start procedures and how to replace a battery when that day comes.
Jump Starter
Having a jump starter with you is always a good idea. However, first you must decide on the right jump starter for you. But once you buy it, don’t just throw it in your garage and forget about it. The jump starter itself requires a bit of special care to ensure that you get the longest life out of it and that it is ready to work when you need it the most. Remember your jump starter has a battery too and needs to be treated accordingly for best results. Clore Automotive put together an excellent jump starter guide and below are some highlights from that guide.
Make sure to keep your jump starter charged. You don’t want a jump starter to spend a lot of time in a discharged state. Also keep the duty cycle in mind. When jumping your Corvette, you can crank for 6 seconds and if no start rest for 3 minutes. Store your jump starter in moderate temperatures. When possible, try to keep it stored in the 50 – 70-degree Fahrenheit range. After a successful jump disconnect the jump starter as soon as possible to avoid an overcharging condition. Make sure you find and use a proper ground location when using a jump starter. Maintain your jump starter by keeping the clamps clean of any acid or corrosion.
Jump Start Procedure
Now that you have your jump stater and know how to care for it you should understand how to safely use it. Clore Automotive has this covered for you as well. Before you start check three things: Is the jump starter charged? Is the jump starter in proper condition? Make sure the voltage of the vehicle you are trying to jump is known. You can then put on your eye protection and get started. Pun not intentional.
Connect positive (red) clamp to the battery positive terminal. Connect negative (black) clamp to proper vehicle ground such as the vehicle frame. Turn your jump starter on if it has an on/off switch. Move away from the battery and attempt to start the vehicle. Once started turn the jump starter off if it has an on/off switch. Then disconnect the negative clamp followed by the positive. Clean up your jump starter, then charge it up before storing.
Changing Batteries
Eventually you will have no choice but to have your old battery replaced with a new one. As we mentioned in the introduction, this process has gotten more complicated in recent years. And every vehicle is a bit different, so our best piece of advice is to consult your owner’s manual. For example, in a newer Corvette you may need to reprogram the front windows, so the express-up feature works after a battery change. A C4 Corvette has a side post battery hidden near the front wheel. The point is it is wise to consult your manual so you know the specifics of your Corvette and what to be aware of when replacing the battery.
One way to avoid any loss of settings while switching out batteries is to use a memory saver during the swap. There are a few options for this but if you already own a jump starter then it will double as a memory saver for you. You just need to connect it to your vehicle, using the OBDII port is easiest, and it will keep power to your vehicle during the swap and prevent the loss of any settings. It will make your life a lot easier. Hopefully with the help of this guide you are now better equipped to keep your Corvette safely on the road.
Images: Clore Automotive; Joe Kucinski
Keyword: Battery Health Guide: Keep Your Corvette Battery in Optimal Condition with Tips from the Pros