Vehicle Battery Maintenance While in Dealer Stock

This bulletin is being revised to add information for SAAB dealers, outline current battery maintenance expectations for all dealers and update the model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-03-007 (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System).

This bulletin gives an overview of the Policy and Procedures information related to battery state of charge and provides suggestions related to maintaining battery charge while in dealer inventory. General Motors requires batteries to be inspected at the time the vehicle is delivered to the dealership. A transportation claim should be submitted if the battery is dead or damaged.

The following is reprinted from the 2008 GM Policies and Procedures Manual.

Vehicles that are not used for an extended period of time are subject to battery discharge due to parasitic drains. Discharged batteries can freeze at temperatures as high as 32° F (0°C), causing permanent damage. Other permanent damage may result from allowing batteries to stand discharged for extended periods.

Important: Battery recharging, swapping or replacement due to damage or lack of maintenance is not covered by the General Motors New Vehicle Warranty during the period of dealer inventory storage.

To alleviate this condition, the negative battery cable should be disconnected on vehicles that are not going to be in service within a 20 day period, beginning from the time the vehicle is received at the dealership. If this is not possible, batteries should be recharged periodically, every 20-45 days. Disconnected batteries will slowly discharge; therefore disconnected batteries should be checked for proper state of charge every four months and recharged if necessary.

Notice: The ignition switch must be off when connecting the battery cables or chargers. Failure to do so may overload or damage the PCM or other electronic components. While charging, all electrical accessories and options which create an electrical load should be turned off to insure the battery receives a full charge.

Important: GM of Canada Dealers: Effective September 20, 2004, any battery replacement (labour operation N0110) with 160 kilometres or less must be routed to the District Service Manager with a good explanation of the failure for wholesale authorization.

All Saab vehicles have had the battery tested at our Ports (excluding the 9-7X). The 8-digit battery test code retrieved during testing must be included on the warranty claim and the date checked entered on the battery card that was shipped in the vehicle. Each time your dealership checks the battery while in your dealership stock, the 8-digit battery test code retrieved and date checked must also be entered on this card. We suggest it be kept in the glove compartment so as not to be lost. All test codes retrieved while in your dealership stock including both portions of the PDI must be available for Saab review upon request.

Notice: Saab 9-2X does not come with a battery card.

In the case of dealer trades your dealership must also ensure the battery card has been completed and delivered with the vehicle. It will be your dealership's responsibility to ensure the test codes are available for entry on any warranty claim for a battery replacement.

The Saab Battery Tester 311 included quick reference battery cards for dealership personnel to use. Saab also has published SI's containing suggested maintenance for your dealership's in-stock vehicles, and suggests your dealership check/charge your in-stock batteries at a minimum of every 30 days.

Claims MUST have supporting battery test codes that substantiate battery replacement or the claims will not be paid or will be subject to charge-back.

Notice: : If the battery is leaking OR has exploded OR there is no code retrieved with the Saab Battery Tester (and the battery has been charged and re-tested with no code retrieved), enter NOCODE in the "Code/Reading" field of the claim and explain in the Correction area of the claim.

Claiming Instruction: New Car In Stock / Demo

Adherence to the above guidelines will help increase Customer Satisfaction Scores, while lowering battery warranty and replacement concerns. In many cases the first few miles of a new vehicle in the customers hands will involve continued battery discharge. Many customers will go through vehicle customization programming, frequent power seat operation, and radio usage to familiarize themselves with the operation of the accessories. Maintaining batteries in stock, and delivering a vehicle with a fully charged battery may also help the customer achieve long service life from the battery.