What is the minimum starting voltage for a car battery?
2 Answers
The starting voltage of a car battery should not be lower than 11.45V. Below this value, the engine will be difficult to start, requiring a jump start or replacement of a new battery. Normal battery replacement cycle: If the car is equipped with an original battery, the correct service life is 3-4 years. If the battery can still function normally, there is no need to replace it; just perform charging maintenance. Before turning off the vehicle, make sure to shut down all electrical devices. Avoid long-term parking, and restart the vehicle every week to maintain a good battery voltage. Regularly clean the car battery. With prolonged use, the battery may accumulate dust, white powder, and stains. To avoid affecting its lifespan, periodically clean and wipe the battery with a damp cloth to keep its exterior as clean as possible. When to replace the battery: The battery status indicator lights up, the vehicle is harder to start than usual, requiring multiple attempts to ignite, or when idling at night, the battery's remaining life is insufficient to provide adequate lighting power, causing the lights to noticeably dim.
I've encountered many car starting failures, and the core issue is usually the battery voltage being too low. Normally, when starting a car, the voltage should not drop below around 12.4 volts, as this threshold ensures the engine has sufficient power to ignite. If the voltage falls below 12.4 volts—say, to 12 volts or lower—you'll hear a clicking sound when turning the key or pressing the button, but the engine won't crank, as the battery simply lacks the power. Testing is straightforward: just use a multimeter to measure the terminal voltage, and it's best to maintain it above 12.6 volts. Battery aging or frequent short trips without full charging can naturally lower the voltage, and it gets worse in winter—cold temperatures make it harder for the voltage to hold. Regular checks are key; measure the voltage monthly and recharge or replace the battery early to avoid trouble.
