2 Ways on how to check a car battery

The car battery function keeps the electricity when the engine is running and uses it when off. For example, to run the motor starter, turn on all the computers in your car engine management system, etc.

Checking a car battery is more than checking the battery's look visually from the outside. Is it bad or good conditions? Sometimes we can see the battery looks in bad condition, and somehow it works fine. But the other times, we can see the battery looks in good condition, but it's not working at all. Read: 5 Signs of a dying battery

There are several things to do to get specific results from your car battery condition. So, how do you get the best results from checking a car battery? Here are several actions on how to check a car battery.

I. Identify the physically of the battery

The first simple way to check a car battery is by the physical of the car battery. Bad car batteries usually show many signs to identify if the battery is in good or bad conditions. Here are several items to check if battery is good :

1. Battery terminals

The bad battery had a lot of battery corrosion on both battery terminals. Battery corrosion means that the battery is already saturated. These corrosions can be resistant to the electric current flow in or out of the battery.

2. Bloated battery case

We can identify a bad battery by looking at the battery case. If the battery case looks bloated, it indicates that the battery is going bad.

3. The battery water is going black.

The lead-acid battery uses acid liquid inside the battery. The liquid usually has a clear color, but if the battery water goes black, it indicates that the battery is bad.

4. The battery is leaking.

Another sign that the battery looks going bad is if there is any leaking battery water. Battery leaks aren't good to be used. So, if you find your battery water starts to leak, it's better to replace them with new ones.

Looking at the physical of the battery is the first way to know how your car battery condition is. Sometimes, the battery would work excellently even there are any signs that I have mentioned above. But, those signs are not the best results from checking a car battery. So, the best result to check your car battery condition is using proper measurement tools for the battery.

II. Using measurement tools

There are a lot of battery measurement tools to make a simple battery test and to check how good your battery condition is. Using the digital battery tester is the simplest way to know your battery condition. Still, this tool is quite expensive to buy. Another way to do a battery test is you can use a multimeter and battery load tester for a cheaper one. So here are some measurement tools to check a car battery.

1. Multimeter

test car battery voltage with multimeter

To check a car battery, you can use a multimeter. Just turn the selector to DC volt, then put the lead test probe to the battery post. We can see how much the battery voltage is in real-time. Here you can read the complete article about how to test car battery voltage with a multimeter.

2. Battery load tester

Another tool to check a car battery is a battery load tester. This tool function is quite the same as the multimeter, but it has a better test to check the battery load voltage that the multimeter can't do.

The battery load tester is used to check the battery voltage with and without load. Load means if the battery is used for cranking the engine. Yes, the battery load tester can show you how much power (voltage) your car battery has to crank the engine.

Just attach the tester cable to the battery, then push the button to see how much voltage the battery has. Less voltage indicates the battery is going bad.

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3. Hydrometer

You can use a car battery hydrometer to do a battery test. A hydrometer is used to check the electrolyte-specific gravity of your car battery water. The hydrometer is used only if your car uses a lead-acid battery. Open the battery hole cover, put the hydrometer tube to suck the battery water, and see the specific gravity.

how to check a car battery with a hydrometer

Red color value means that your car battery needs to recharge; white color means the battery is in fair condition. The green color indicates that your battery is in good condition.

4. Digital battery tester

This tool is a simple way to do a battery test and check your car battery conditions. Just plug the probe into the battery, input your car battery specification and then test the battery.

There is a good battery if your car battery is in good condition, weak needs to recharge, or even replace your car battery. This battery test result will show in the tools display after you start to test your car battery. Other things are you can read or print the battery test result from these tools.