How to Determine if a Battery Needs Replacement
2 Answers
Methods to determine if a battery needs replacement: 1. Check the battery status through the inspection hole color. The inspection hole typically shows three colors: green, yellow, and black. Green usually indicates the battery is in good condition, yellow means the battery capacity is insufficient, and black suggests the battery is nearing the end of its life and needs replacement; 2. Assess the battery's usage condition. If the battery frequently loses charge or fails to hold a charge, it needs replacement; 3. Inspect the battery's physical appearance. If there are noticeable bulges, deformations, or swelling on both sides of the battery, or if white powdery substances appear around the terminals, it indicates performance issues, requiring maintenance or direct replacement.
Lately my car has been having frequent starting difficulties. Every time I turn the key, the engine struggles for a long time with noticeably weak power - most likely due to an aging battery that can't hold up anymore. I've also observed that cold weather makes starting even harder, and the lights have become dimmer, especially the headlights appearing blurry when turned on. When I measured the voltage with a multimeter, I found it was below 12 volts - especially when the engine wasn't running, if it's below 11.5 volts, then it's basically done for. Car batteries typically last 3-5 years depending on usage frequency and weather conditions. If you notice these symptoms, you should get it checked at a repair shop immediately - don't wait until you're stranded on the highway, that would really cause trouble. Always pay attention to whether the battery warning light on the dashboard is illuminated - developing this habit will save you some headaches.
