How to Check the Condition of a Car Battery?
2 Answers
Methods to check the condition of a car battery: 1. Inspect the exterior for any deformities, bulges, leaks, cracks, burns, or oxide seepage around screw connections; 2. If the exterior appears normal, operate the UPS in battery mode with a certain load. If the discharge time is significantly shorter than normal, and the battery cannot restore normal backup time after 8 hours of charging, it indicates battery aging; 3. Use a multimeter for measurement. The car battery is a crucial component of the vehicle's electrical system. If the battery malfunctions, the immediate symptom is the inability to start the vehicle, especially in automatic transmission cars. When the battery voltage is too low to start the engine, the only solution is to jump-start the car, which can be quite troublesome.
To check the battery condition, I always rely on hands-on experience. The first step is to measure the voltage with a multimeter. After turning off the engine, measure the voltage between the positive and negative terminals of the battery—the standard value should be around 12.6 volts. If it drops below 12 volts, the battery may be nearing the end of its life. If the voltage falls below 10 volts during engine startup or recovers slowly, it indicates insufficient power. Also, inspect the terminals for corrosion or greenish deposits—if present, clean them with a baking soda solution. If the electrolyte level is low, top it up with distilled water to the marked line. Symptoms like the engine struggling to start ("chugging" sound) or fluctuating headlight brightness are signs of battery issues. I recommend checking the battery every quarter, as batteries typically degrade in three to five years. Safety first: always operate with the engine off and wear gloves to avoid electric shock. Batteries are more prone to failure in cold weather, so preventive rust-proofing can extend their lifespan. If you lack the tools, driving to a repair shop for a free test is a hassle-free option—don’t wait until a roadside breakdown to regret it.
