How to Determine if a Car Battery is Good or Bad?
2 Answers
Methods to determine the condition of a car battery are as follows: 1. Check if the battery is swollen: When a battery swells, it is mostly due to the internal pressure of the battery increasing under high temperatures, causing the pressure relief valve to open automatically. Once the pressure relief valve opens, it accelerates the loss of water from the battery. Excessive water loss leads to a decrease in the battery's activity, making it prone to issues such as heating of the casing, bulging, and deformation during charging, commonly known as battery swelling. 2. Observe the color of the battery surface: Check around the battery terminals for any white or green powdery substances. High-quality or new batteries generally do not have these oxides. Their presence indicates that the battery's performance is starting to deteriorate.
I remember one winter morning when the car sounded particularly labored during startup, almost like it was gasping for air. At the time, I guessed the battery might be failing. Later, I learned from a car enthusiast group that the simplest method is to use a voltmeter to check – during normal startup, it should read around 12 volts. If it drops below 10 volts, the battery might be on its last legs. Another indicator is the ignition performance; if every start is sluggish, don’t wait too long – replace the battery promptly. Otherwise, the car might stall midway, and that would be truly awkward. I’ve also tried checking the battery terminals for corrosion or looseness. If they’re rusty, cleaning them with a baking soda solution can improve electrical contact. In short, the condition of your battery is a safety issue – don’t skimp on it. Especially before long trips, always test it thoroughly.
