Battery low, start engine.

[Donstar]

I was in my truck and listening to the radio (nothing out of the ordinary) while on the ferry yesterday and got this message on my DIC.  Is this an early warning to start looking for a new battery or does it indicate a more immediate need?    

[BringTheRain403]

How old is the battery? About 5 years is the average life of a battery

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[300 Blackout]

I have a 6 month old battery and I got the message that the truck was in battery saver mode a couple days ago when I left accessories on for 15-20 minutes. No biggie. It’s outlined in the manual.

If your battery is pushing 4 years old it might be time for a change. If you live in a hot climate, 3 years might be a good time to start looking.

[1SLOW1500]

On the new truck there is a lot in the software to monitor and protect the truck/battery. In the cold with just radio on it does that to me in 2-3 minutes. Also these truck and the 2007 and up for that matter have variable output alternators. Again software regulates it. So I wouldn't worry, but wound go have it load tested. It's free and takes only a few minutes.

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[Donstar]

Thanks for the responses.  My truck was manufactured in March of 2015 so the battery is a few years old.  I am aware this software is a feature  of modern trucks but this was my first such encounter.  1SLOW1500 mentioned a variable that I hadn't considered. I was on an outer car deck and it was very cold.  I will keep my eyes open for a good deal but won't rush. Thanks, again!

[Colossus]

11 hours ago, BringTheRain403 said:

How old is the battery? About 5 years is the average life of a battery

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Actually 3-4 years now. 

[BringTheRain403]

I would take to to an auto zone and get it tested. They test it for free...

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[Colossus]

Doesn't it have to be fully charged first before they can do a proper load test on it?

[CadillacLuke24]

It has to be above 75% I believe. Damn things are picky, though I get the reasoninng. 

 

That message is perfectly normal, it kicks in way quicker when it's cold out. Like others have said, doesn't hurt to check your battery.

[Jimmyc!]

I was up skiing with the family and got this after running the radio for about 5 minutes. It would be nice to know at what percentage point do we get this message. 

[diyer2]

I believe it trips the warning by monitoring the voltage.

It err's on the safe side to avoid a no start due to a low battery.

I have a LED voltage meter wired to a cigarette lighter plug.

I can plug this into the auxiliary tap and monitor battery voltage. 

In my truck if the voltage drops .3 tenths  of a volt after shutting the truck off while listening to the radio it trips the low battery warning.

 

[oldmann]

My battery is two years old and now in the cold it warns me after about 10 minutes with the radio.  In these trucks the headlights will stay on with the radio.  Turn them off to get a bit more time.  When my battery was new it would last a half hour before chiming in.

['17 Sierra]

On 1/18/2019 at 8:24 PM, Donstar said:

Thanks for the responses.  My truck was manufactured in March of 2015 so the battery is a few years old.  I am aware this software is a feature  of modern trucks but this was my first such encounter.  1SLOW1500 mentioned a variable that I hadn't considered. I was on an outer car deck and it was very cold.  I will keep my eyes open for a good deal but won't rush. Thanks, again!

The variable output alternator actually doesn't have anything to do with this. If your battery is low, it'll put out full voltage until the battery gets charged. It will then lower its output to maintain what the electrical system is requiring. It's designed to increase fuel mileage since the drag on the engine is decreased when the alternator isn't working at full capacity.

[1SLOW1500]

And mine is dead. Went out to truck on a -9* day and no remote start so it unlocked the doors and I tries the key wouldn't start.
So I pushed my aux bat. Button and it fired right up. Drove 6 miles and got gas same thing. Drove 5 more same thing. But by the end of the day it was fine again. I called and was given a new GM battery I just have to have mine to exchange with service department.
All my cars have optima batteries so I just ordered one. I will sell the new GM for $150 tons buddy. And for the price of the shit battery the local store sell I have a great battery.
All in all I'm happy was never stranded and free replacement delivered to my house.

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