My Car sat 2 days and the battery was dead. Nothing was left on and it was really dead to the point only a bunch of clicking and static in the speakers.

I put a new one in. It is sad it only had 3.5 years on it and 24,000 miles.

So far the new battery is fine and everything is working, I only had to reset the TPM and the clock.

 

Purchased vehicle 11/2005 ~ 65000 miles on OEM battery

 

Most of my Delco batteries have lasted 10-12 years. one in the Fiero lasted 18 years and was working when I replaced it. My last 3 GM cars have lasted about 5 and 7 years.

I really thing the one in the HHR just was one of the bad ones you can get. I replaced it with a new Delco. They are hard to find hear outside a dealer. I made a connection though work that saved me $60 So I came out ok.

 

I'm with "hyper". I have always had good longevity from Delcos, again 5-7 years. I have the original OEM Delco in my 2006 HHR, and it's just over 6 years old (better check it tomorrow, haven't used the car in about a week).

I really think, as long as you don't have a "weak" or faulty battery from the get-go, it just depends on how you treat them.

 

Battery life is dependent on so many conditions. How much charge is consistantly maintained, temperatures it is subjected to, humidity etc. The batteries in the HHR's, as long as they are not completely discharged, should last longer than if it were mounted under the hood with the engine. They are pretty well protected from the intense heat under the hood, which is a battery killer. Thats assuming there are no defective cells in it!

 

The key for the most on battery life is a charging system that is spot on. If you over charge or under charge it can kill a batter faster than anything.

Other things can contribute but to a much lesser degree.

As for heat most batteries do well with heat anymore. Trust me on that one. In a V6 Fiero the under hood temps are higher than just about any car GM has ever had and my Delco went on for 18 years with the harshest heat you can find.

 

Your right about the charging system being probably the most single important component for battery life. Allowing them to discharge too much certainly kills them prematurely, as will overcharging them. Discounting the difficulty of getting to the battery in our HHR's, if the battery is dead, I do believe the location is favorable to protecting the battery from the elements. I agree that today's batteries are more tolerant of heat, but it still takes its toll.

 

I was suprised that changing the HHR battery was pretty easy. It took me only a couple mins to change.

On my GTP I had to remove a fender brace and in my new Terrain I would have to remove the computer off the top of the battery and then remove the battery. Not sure why they bolted the computer to the top of the battery but it is what it is.

 

Wife's Saturn Redline has a 3.6 ltr, V6. The computer was on top of the battery also. I'd say....just available space AND a short run of wire, AND easily accessible. Space under the hood is pretty skimpy.

 

Wife's Dodge Avenger SXT battery is behind the plastic inner well (drivers side), kinda similar to how we access our headlight bulbs..(eyes roll).

Not enuff room under the hood.