Ok, so the 09 Tahoe has this lame thing where it doesn't always run the alternator, saving .00001% of 1 MPG... now, the down side is... say it gets down to the threshold where it's going to start charging the battery (let's guess 90%)... and... Bam, same exact second you arrive at your destination. (home). You go to wash your new truck, with the radio on XM Hits 1... for about 2 hours or so, vaccuming, washing, drying, armoralling, whatever..

go to start it.. tap to start.. (the key)... doesn't work... $60,000 piece of $h.... ok, fine, you hold the key, and it slowly starts... this time...

you move it in to the garage for the weekend... Monday morning... won't start. PIECE OF CRAP this thing is... and this is with a new battery from dealer...

So, do you call GM and wait like a moron for 45 minutes for someone to stop by with a jump pack because you have a warrenty, or just jump it off your 10 year old wrangler that works better than this thing, and get to work?


Ok, end rant...

I want an Optima Red Top for this Tahoe, I had one in my last Tahoe and it was the king of all batteries, I loved the thing. BUT advance auto has no reference for what kind goes in it.

Has anyone here had luck?

Question 2: My future wife's car is a 2005, and it's getting harder and harder to start.

My Tahoe battery is BRAND NEW (3 months maybe) and I'm guessing bigger, BUT... will it fit her Mazda Tribute (ford escape)?

would I just look at both batteries and give it a shot?

I get charged $10 MORE for not having a core and don't want to trade in a brand new battery...

I read on here someone had the ECM reprogramed to always charge the battery? Did you give up any MPG?

How much load can an alternator put on a 325HP V8?!

 

I put a Red Top in my 08 Avalanche - It was model 34 (doesn't have the side terminals which aren't used anyway). There is also a model 34R with the terminals reversed which might be a better fit with the cables. Anyway, the 34 fits in the tray and you use the Optima-supplied hold-down puck. Only thing I didn't like is that the OEM positive cable has a bend in it to fit the OEM battery and on the Optima it sits a little higher...but all-in-all it fits, no clearance issues.

Let us know if you get any info on ECM programming mods.