jerr3d

My 2002 GT maintenance free battery is slow starting in cold weather and the indicator light on the battery is red. I put a bit of water in it but it was not really that low.

I only have about 38k on the car. I drive it to and from work which is about 10 miles round trip. Is that enough to keep the battery self charged?

If I charge the battery will it hold a charge or should I just replace it?

thank you

AzPete

Is it an original battery? If so, most likely dead....if not, could have a problem. I would take the car to a local Auto Zone or something like that and have them check the system completely. I would say that 10 miles is enough to keep a good battery charged but not a weak one.

jerr3d

Thanks for the reply AzPete. Yes, it is the original battery.

AzPete

Sounds like it is time for a replacement.....miles is not as critical as time in this case.

GreyStang

A "10 mile round trip" means you're only driving it 5 miles then stopping? That would be borderline insufficient time for the alternator to replenish the battery, especially if you live in a warm climate so you're not letting the car idle very long before driving off..
Yeah though like Pete said, get a shop to test your alternator & verify it is OK.

Just 38K on an '02?? Wow that's low! I hope once in a while you take it out on a highway & give it a workout! Run it up to redline (in a low gear!) once in a while to clear out the carbon

2tonterror

OEM batteries usually only last for 5-6 years. Also, batteries loose 50 percent of the amperage when the temp goes below freezing. A 10 mile trip will keep a GOOD battery charged, but will NOT charge up a dying one. All the electrical accessories in the newer cars draw alot of amps from the alternator while driving,especially in the winter. Headlights on, wipers on, heater on radio on plus running the ECU does not leave much amperage to charge up a weak battery. Like Pete said, get the charging system checked.