As the outdoor temperature has been getting lower recently, it has become more difficult for vehicles to start at low temperatures. The reason is that the electrolyte in the battery has a relatively low level of activity and a high resistance at low temperatures, so its power storage capacity at low temperatures is relatively poor. In other words, given the same charging time, less electrical energy can be charged into the battery at low temperatures than at high temperatures, which can easily lead to insufficient power supply from the car battery. Therefore, we should pay more attention to car batteries, especially in winter.
Generally speaking, the service life of a battery is about 2 to 3 years, but there are also many people whose batteries have been used for more than 5 to 6 years. The key lies in your usual usage habits and the attention you pay to battery maintenance. The reason why we should attach importance to it is that the battery is a consumable item. Before it fails or reaches the end of its service life, there are usually no obvious precursors. The most direct manifestation is that the vehicle suddenly won’t start after being parked for a period of time. In that case, you can only wait for rescue or ask others for help. To avoid the above situations, I will introduce to you how to conduct a self-check on the health status of the battery.
1.Check the observation port
Currently, more than 80% of maintenance-free batteries are equipped with a power observation port. The colors that can generally be seen in the observation port are divided into three types: green, yellow, and black. Green indicates that the battery is fully charged, yellow means that the battery is slightly depleted, and black indicates that the battery is almost scrapped and needs to be replaced. Depending on the different designs of battery manufacturers, there may be other forms of power display. You can refer to the label prompts on the battery for specific details. Here, the editor would like to remind you that the power display on the battery observation port is for reference only. Don’t fully rely on it. You should also make a comprehensive judgment on the battery status based on other inspection methods.
2.Check the voltage
Generally speaking, this inspection needs to be carried out at a maintenance station with the help of specialized equipment. However, Uncle Mao thinks it’s still worthwhile because this inspection is relatively simple and straightforward, and the battery status can be intuitively displayed in numbers.
Use a battery tester or a multimeter to measure the voltage of the battery. Under normal circumstances, the no-load voltage of the battery is about 13 volts, and the full-load voltage generally will not be lower than 12 volts. If the battery voltage is on the low side, there may be problems such as difficulty in starting the vehicle or inability to start it. If the battery remains at a low voltage for a long time, it will be scrapped prematurely.
While checking the battery voltage, we also need to refer to the power generation situation of the vehicle’s alternator. In cars with a relatively high mileage, the carbon brushes inside the alternator will become shorter, and the power generation will decrease, unable to meet the normal charging needs of the battery. At that time, it is advisable to consider replacing the carbon brushes of the alternator to solve the problem of low voltage.
3.Check the appearance
Observe whether there are obvious swelling deformations or bulges on both sides of the battery. Once this situation occurs, it means that the battery’s lifespan has passed halfway, and you should be prepared to replace it. Uncle Mao would like to emphasize that it is normal for the battery to have a slight swelling deformation after being used for a period of time. Don’t replace it just because of such a slight deformation and waste your money. However, if the bulging is quite obvious, it needs to be replaced to avoid the vehicle breaking down.
4.Check the terminals
Observe whether there are some white or green powdery substances around the battery terminals. In fact, those are the oxides of the battery. High-quality or new batteries generally will not easily have these oxides. Once they appear, it means that the battery’s performance has started to decline. If these oxides are not removed in time, it will cause insufficient power generation of the alternator, put the battery in a state of power depletion, and in serious cases, lead to the early scrapping of the battery or the inability to start the vehicle.
The four inspection methods introduced above are obviously inaccurate if used alone to judge the health status of the battery. It is more accurate to combine them for judgment. If your battery reflects the above situations at the same time, it is better to replace it as soon as possible.
Precautions for Battery Use
Next, I will briefly introduce some precautions for using batteries. If you can follow the points below, it’s no problem to double the lifespan of your battery.
1.Use the vehicle’s electrical appliances reasonably
When waiting in the car (with the engine off), avoid using high-power electrical appliances for a long time. For example, turn on the headlights, use the seat heater or listen to the stereo, etc.
2.Avoid over-discharging
It is very harmful to the battery if you forget to turn off the lights and find that the vehicle has no power the next day. Even if you fully charge it again, it’s hard for it to return to its previous state.
3.Avoid parking the vehicle for a long time
If the parking time exceeds one week, it is recommended to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
4.Charge and maintain the battery regularly
If conditions permit, you can take the battery down every six months and charge it with a battery charger. The charging method should be slow charging, and it only takes a few hours.
5.Clean the battery regularly
Keep the battery surface clean and regularly clean the oxides on the battery terminals. If you find oxides, remember to rinse them off with boiling water, clean the connection posts of the battery at the same time, and apply grease to protect them to ensure reliable starting and extend the lifespan of the battery.
6.Optimize the vehicle’s electrical circuit
You can replace the vehicle’s lighting with more energy-efficient LED light sources. You can also consider installing a rectifier for your car to protect the vehicle’s electrical circuit, which can have a good effect of stabilizing the voltage.
The car battery is always a consumable item, and it will eventually reach the end of its lifespan. Car owners should pay more attention to their vehicle’s batteries, regularly check the battery status, especially before winter comes. We can extend its lifespan through correct operation methods and usage habits, thus reducing unnecessary troubles.
Post time: Dec-10-2024