What are the methods for judging the quality of a car battery?
2 Answers
Methods for judging the quality of a car battery are: 1. Check the electrolyte level height of the car battery; 2. Measure the electrolyte density to determine the discharge level; 3. Test the discharge level of the battery. A car battery consists of plate groups, separators, electrolyte, casing, terminals, connectors, and filler cap. The working principle of a car battery is to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. Car battery maintenance methods: 1. Avoid parking the car in open parking lots for extended periods; 2. In winter, avoid multiple uninterrupted starts of the car; 3. Frequently charge the car battery; 4. Regularly clean the battery terminals and apply grease to protect the wiring harness.
To assess car battery quality, I usually start with several practical methods. First, check the voltage test—use a multimeter on the battery's positive and negative terminals. After starting the car, the voltage should not drop below 14 volts to be considered normal. When idle, a fully charged battery should read around 12.6 volts; anything below 12 volts is a warning sign. Load testing is crucial—use a specialized tester to simulate the starting current. If the current drops too quickly or the car struggles to start, it indicates an aging battery. Next, inspect the exterior for white corrosion on the terminals; loose or damaged connections can cause power loss, and timely cleaning can extend battery life. I also watch for symptoms like dimming headlights, slow starts, or system warning alerts. Remember to maintain it regularly—top up the electrolyte to the proper level to avoid drying out, minimize deep discharges, and avoid idling with the stereo on for too long. Based on these tests, batteries typically need replacement every 3-5 years.
