How to check the condition of your vehicle’s battery

Your vehicle’s battery health is very crucial for the proper functioning of your vehicle – you won’t be able to even start your car if the battery is dead. Usually, automotive batteries last four to five years on average, but it can vary. For example, in extreme climates, a battery may only last three years. To help ensure that you don’t find yourself stranded, be proactive – regularly check your battery for signs of depletion.

Visually inspecting the battery is the easiest way to check its condition. Though you cannot tell about the battery’s voltage or amperage charge, you can definitely find out if there is corrosion or wear and tear. But make sure to read the safety manual before you start working on your vehicle battery. 

What to look for while visually inspecting?

Corrosion

If you find any powdery deposits on either of your vehicle’s battery terminals, it means your battery is on the verge of corrosion, clean them with a metal brush, or a toothbrush along with a paste of water and baking soda. Make sure to remove both the positive and negative connections before cleaning the battery.

If the corrosion is not severe then it is usually not a problem. However, if the problem increases, it may form larger buildups that prevent the battery from accepting or delivering a charge by acting as an insulator.

Cracked Casing

Replace your vehicle battery if you find any crack on the external casing or the outer cover. You can also check with an expert at an automotive store if the crack is repairable or not. If the battery needs to be replaced, store it in an acid-resistant storage container until you can dispose of it.

Damaged Cables

If you find the connector cables/wires damaged or exposed immediately replace them with new ones. These cables transmit electrical energy from the battery to the engine so, leaving them exposed can cause electrocution or electrical burns.

A battery is very important for your vehicle. It makes your engine work properly. So you should check it regularly. It can save you from being stuck unexpectedly. Find out how it works with a multimeter.

How Can You Test With a Multimeter?

You need to use a digital multimeter to test your battery. Set it to measure DC voltage. Then you can connect the red probe to the positive terminal and the black probe to the negative terminal.

A fully charged 12-volt automotive battery shows a reading of 12.4 volts. This reading comes from the four cells inside the battery. Each of them gives out approximately 3.1 volts.

• 12.4V reading: This indicates that your battery is in good condition. It lets you know how every cell is working properly.
• Reading below 12.4V:If you see a number below 12.4 volts it means that one of the cells is weak. This can reduce your battery’s ability to start the engine and can also lead to early battery damage.

This can help you to know what a 12.4v reading on a car battery means.

Car Battery Voltage Reading Below 12.4v: Causes and Solutions

A low reading could be caused by a few different things:

• Ageing: Your batteries can naturally lose their capacity with time. So you should replace it on time.
• Corrosion or poor connections: Dirty or loose terminals can reduce your battery voltage. So cleaning it properly is important.
• Excessive discharge: Keeping your electrical devices on can drain its battery. So it should be fully charged every time.
• Faulty cell: You will need to replace your whole battery if it is damaged. Repairing it is usually not possible.

You can use a multimeter to check how it is working monthly. If you are unsure you can ask the local store for help.Examine your battery for these issues every month. This way you will be able to make out if the car battery needs a replacement or expert assistance. If you are not able to check the battery properly or you are struggling with any part in the process, visit your local auto parts store or dealer and ask for help. You will be able to understand better for the next time you inspect your