Can a Swollen Car Battery Still Be Used?

[McCarlos]

Car battery swelling indicates that the internal plates have deformed, posing significant safety hazards. It should be promptly replaced with a new battery or sent back to the manufacturer for repair. Continued use may lead to combustion, explosion, or the release of toxic gases. There are several reasons for car battery swelling: one is long-term overcharging, which causes the battery grid to fracture and deform or the active material to expand, resulting in swelling; another is blocked battery vents combined with overcharging, preventing the release of gas inside the battery and increasing internal pressure—this situation is extremely dangerous and may lead to an explosion; a third reason is a cracked battery casing, allowing air to enter the battery. The moisture in the air reacts and decomposes into oxygen and hydrogen, causing the battery to swell.