i have owned a 2009 and 2011 silverado 1500 and since day one on both if i put the radio on and only have the radio on, one click forward on the ignition, in 15-20 minutes the low battery message comes up. is this just due to a cheap factory battery or should i utilize the second spot for a battery under the hood? idk if a nice optima battery would solve this or just putting 2 in it. any input would be great

 

That is unusual... How old is your battery?

 

it is original iv owned the truck just over a year. its been the same since new. my last truck seems worse and i had it changed 3 times under warranty and they kept telling me my batteries had defective cells

 

5 years is an expected life span of a truck battery, give or take a couple of years.
It wouldn't hut to have your altinator tested to make sure it's FULLY charging your battery.

 

i need to take it to the dealer for service anyhow i will have them test it then and go from there

 

Keep me posted as well on your progress with the dealer. Let me know if you need anything in the meantime. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.