How is the OEM battery that the CTS comes with? How often do you guys replace it? The OEM battery on my last GM car (Pontiac) died on the road all of a sudden. I bought my 2011 CTS with 48k miles and it has 60k now. I am assuming it still has the original battery.
OEM battery
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SOLD - 2010 CTS4 Premium Wagon-Diamond White-Cashmere Interior
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The OEM battery (AC Delco) is a quality battery. OEM batteries typically last about 5 years. Because our battery is located away fron the underhood engine heat it will last somewhat longer. Heat kills batteries and with you being in IA, you should be OK for a few years.
There are many reasons batteries fail, so a sudden failure on the highway is not unusual (but it wouldn't die while driving because the alternator would keep your car running). You could stop for gas and then it wouldn't start, that would be typical.
My battery is now 5 years old and still cranks great. When I hear it crank slower/longer I'll purchase a new one before it dies. If you decide to replace yours, make sure its SEALED and has the opening for the vent tube.
Good Luck, Marv
There are many reasons batteries fail, so a sudden failure on the highway is not unusual (but it wouldn't die while driving because the alternator would keep your car running). You could stop for gas and then it wouldn't start, that would be typical.
My battery is now 5 years old and still cranks great. When I hear it crank slower/longer I'll purchase a new one before it dies. If you decide to replace yours, make sure its SEALED and has the opening for the vent tube.
Good Luck, Marv
'14 CTS-V LongRoof; Audi RS6 Avant; '16 ATS-V Sedan gone; '10 CTS LongRoof gone
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Y'all need to listen to Marv. He worked most of his life in the Battery Industry. I respect whatever he says about batteries as the gospel.
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And jjromano, I am surprised your battery died. These OEM's last a long time. My 2010 is running strong. You may have just had a cell failure, the catastrophic heart failure, the big one.
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And jjromano, I am surprised your battery died. These OEM's last a long time. My 2010 is running strong. You may have just had a cell failure, the catastrophic heart failure, the big one.
SOLD - 2010 CTS4 Premium Wagon-Diamond White-Cashmere Interior
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Low mileage cars will have a shorter battery life because they sit for longer periods of time without use. My Motorhome is hell on batteries and I know what I'm doing. 10 years old and only 23K miles.
Batteries need exercise, more than a trickle charger will give them. They need to be lightly discharged and recharged on a regular basis.
Kaka happens and sometimes you get a bad one, but that's far and away the exception.
Marv
My 09 still has its original OEM battery since I bought the car new in May 2009. Now at 80k miles, it still cranks strong. However, my car is always garaged at home. I do drive the car each day so a regular charge/discharge is likely helping. I should probably think to replace the battery soon before it dies on me...
My experience is end-of-life batteries give little or no warning. If you have a single marginal crank/start, don't delay. But you might not get any warning. How much you care to push it depends on your circumstances & risk tolerance. If it's ex: a spare vehicle or you just drive in town, you might just keep going. If you're often out in the middle-of-nowhere or a no-start could otherwise be esp. problematic may want to replace after 5-6-7 years. I agree with the points a) garage and b) daily use extend life.
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My 2011 is 4 years old next week. 28,700 miles and still going. Any time now. FYI, my 2007 C6 is 8 years, 5 months and still on the OEM. 6,300 miles.
I have had my CTS for a year now, the battery has occasionally given a slow crank/start but it has never left me stranded. I believe it is the original battery and I notice that even on long trips, 30-60min, the alternator is charging at around 14.5 volts constantly. Having had a brand new loaner a few weeks ago I noticed it only charged the battery for about 5 min after starting then dropped down to about 13 volts. I will most likely replace before the end of this year.
If the battery is really original on your '08 that means it's 7-8 years old. And sometimes it slow cranks. And seems it's not charging. IMHO chances are indeed good that you will 'most likely replace before the end of this year'...after it leaves you stranded. My experience is end-of-life batteries don't give you a lot of warning. 6-year old battery in my van just failed in typical way i.e.one day seems to be cranking (almost) fine (i.e. maybe I barely sensed a bit of weakness). Then two days later it only cranks for 1 second (almost enough to start) then click-click-click of the solenoid. This is my experience with every battery eol failure I can recall over 45 years driving, I've never experienced a slow, graceful failure over weeks/months. Every month you delay buying ex:$100 battery you're 'saving' about 40 cents ($100 x ex: 5% alternate investment ROI / 12).
Last Thursday, while having the snow tires installed and oil changed, I had the dealership change the battery. I had the OEM battery since May 2009 when I bought the car. I wanted this to be done before winter... FYI, the dealer installed battery part# 88865245.
I got a coupon in the mail, $149.95 installation included + tax. I thought it was a fair deal, given that they suppose to know how to deal with my car lol 
I would much rather have the dealer change my battery than Autozone or other places alike... Just my 2 cents..
I would much rather have the dealer change my battery than Autozone or other places alike... Just my 2 cents..Haha, yea it likely is. I searched the web for the price of the battery they installed in my car, which is an ACDelco, and it appears to be about the same price as the dealer charged me... I therefore assume that I got a fair price especially at the dealership. They also had a free oil change for me, Mobil 1 synthetic, which made me feel even better!
'14 CTS-V LongRoof; Audi RS6 Avant; '16 ATS-V Sedan gone; '10 CTS LongRoof gone
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Yeah, all things considered I understand why you took it to the dealer.
My 2011 just died while getting gas at the local QT. No warning at all--it was suddenly dead. I bought the car new in March of 2012 so it is still under warranty at 15000 miles. I called Onstar and within 10 minutes a Cadillac service Suburban showed up and replaced the battery and reset my all of my memory settings. I was impressed !
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