How to Test the Condition of a Car Battery?
2 Answers
Methods to test the condition of a car battery: 1. Connect the positive and negative clips of the battery tester properly, with the red clip attached to the positive terminal and the black clip to the negative terminal of the battery; 2. Once connected, the battery will display the current static voltage; 3. Press the Enter key to select external testing; 4. Press the Enter key again to choose a standard lead-acid battery; 5. Select the measurement standard type based on the battery label; 6. Use the up and down buttons on the battery tester to adjust the test rating to 550A; 7. After adjusting the corresponding rating, press the Enter key to confirm and start the test; 8. Judge the actual condition based on the test results.
Last time my car broke down halfway, and I found out it was a battery issue after calling for roadside assistance. Now I've learned my lesson and want to share some practical tips: Check the inspection window on the battery - green means healthy, black means it needs replacement. Pay attention to the sound when starting in the morning; if the starter makes a struggling 'click-click-click' sound, it's likely a weak battery. Using a multimeter is most accurate - measure the voltage between terminals after turning off the engine: above 12.6V is healthy, below 11.8V means it's basically dead. Once I left the interior light on and drained the battery; after jump-starting, I drove to the shop to test the CCA value. The mechanic said it was only 200A (original 450A), so I replaced it immediately. I recommend cleaning terminal corrosion (those white powdery deposits) every six months as they seriously damage battery connections.
