How to understand that the battery is low

When to change your car battery

It is quite natural that eternal parts for the car have not yet been invented. The same applies to a car battery - the frequency of its replacement is on average once every 3-4 years. At the same time, the specific replacement time depends heavily on the conditions in which the battery is used and can either increase or decrease.

Due to the fact that the question of how often to change the battery in a car is, by and large, not regulated in any way, you can come across a huge number of vehicles on the road that experience serious difficulties starting the engine. In order not to find yourself in a situation where you have to ask familiar and unfamiliar drivers to light a dead battery, always start the engine “half-turn”, and not experience problems with the electronics available “on board”, you need to be able to independently determine when to change the battery in the car.

Best time to replace

Like any other part in a car, a worn-out battery that requires replacement will certainly let you know about it, and if the driver is competent enough, he will immediately understand about it, and the question of how to find out that it’s time to change the battery will not arise. Signs that the battery needs to be replaced are quite obvious:

Every engine start is difficult even in warm weather;
the on-board computer constantly indicates the need to charge the battery;
even after intensive driving on the highway, checking the battery with a voltmeter shows an extremely low charge level;
after a night spent on a special charger, the electrolyte density does not reach the norm (1.25);
unpleasant smell from the battery;
A categorical indication for replacing the battery is a low level of electrolyte density in one of the cans, while it is normal or slightly reduced in the rest.

The same absolute indication for immediate replacement of the battery is the dark color of the electrolyte, indicating destruction of the plates, as well as a change in the consistency of the electrolyte. It is worth understanding that using a failed battery can lead to the most dire consequences, including an explosion. If the above symptoms are not noted, but the battery is “venerable” in age, it must either be replaced or sent for diagnostics - if there is no desire to do it yourself. Details on how to determine a “dead” battery are shown in the video:

How to reanimate an old battery

To restore the battery, you can independently carry out a number of not the most difficult and low-cost manipulations. Many, especially novice drivers, unfortunately, do not know whether it is possible to change the electrolyte in the battery, how to do it and why. First, the battery is removed from the car and thoroughly cleaned of dirt. After a thorough visual inspection for deformations and cracks in the body, you should unscrew all the plugs, for which it is convenient to use an ordinary coin. After this, we gain access to the internal banks where the electrolyte is located.

If the electrolyte is light, it is necessary to evaluate its level. A hollow glass tube is lowered inside, after which its upper end is clamped with a finger and removed. We judge the level by the height of the “water” column. If it is below the level, you need to add distilled water and carry out a full cycle of charging the battery with a charger.

After the battery is fully charged, you can begin to assess the density of the electrolyte - if done before the procedure, the data will be unreliable. For measurement, a hydrometer is used, which is extremely easy to work with, since there is a three-color scale inside and, if the electrolyte is normal, the float will be in the green zone. If the above measures do not help, the electrolyte should be replaced with a new one, and its density should be measured again after charging. If it is normal, the battery will still serve, you can safely install it on the car, periodically remembering to check the voltage at the terminals.

Choosing a new unit

Despite the apparent simplicity of choosing a new battery model for your own car, this process is not so simple and requires the use of some knowledge. Otherwise, it is easy to purchase a low-quality product that has expired. Once you have determined that it is time to change the battery, there are a number of points that you should pay attention to when purchasing.

Date of manufacture. This is a very important point for purchasing a high-quality battery, since from the moment of production it must be sold within six months. If you have any doubts about the correctness of the date indicated on the battery, it is better to refuse the purchase.
Dimensions indicating not only the dimensions of the case, but also the location of the terminals. It is worth knowing that the size of the battery is directly related to its technical characteristics, so you should be careful.
Cold start current. This is a very important parameter of any battery, especially for our difficult climatic conditions. He talks about the ability of the battery to start a car engine at a temperature of -17 degrees, in conditions of low chemical potential of the battery itself and thick motor oil. High values of this parameter indicate that the car will start well at sub-zero temperatures. This value may not be indicated on every battery, and the value of the starting current, which is indicated everywhere, is not able to provide intelligible information about how the engine will start in the cold.
The most difficult thing to find is the power reserve indicator, although it is very useful to know it before purchasing a battery. He talks about the operating time of the battery when the engine is running and the generator is out of order. If there is no such information on the product itself, you can try to find it on the manufacturer’s website.

After purchasing, you can independently measure the current at the battery terminals, and if necessary, recharge the device, after which you can safely install it on the car.

How to delay the time for a necessary battery replacement

In order to delay the time when it is necessary to change the car battery as much as possible, you need to start taking care of it, starting from the moment of its purchase and installation. Since the operating mode of the vehicle itself has a very large influence on the life of the battery, extremely short and frequent trips should be avoided if possible - this does not allow the battery to be charged from the on-board system, which negatively affects the service life.

In order not to constantly ask yourself the question of how often you need to change the battery in your car, you should make it a rule to periodically, at least 6 times a year, check the voltage at its terminals - this will allow you to quickly detect insufficient voltage, which indicates that the battery is undercharged. It is highly undesirable to operate such a battery. If such a situation is detected, the battery must be recharged. During recharging, it doesn’t hurt to check the electrolyte level and, if necessary, adjust it. After charging the battery, it is also advisable to check the density of the electrolyte. Such measures are not complicated or expensive, but they can actually avoid numerous problems with the battery.

Main signs of a dying car battery

One of the most unpleasant incidents on the road can be the failure of a car battery, so every driver simply needs to know the characteristic signs of its malfunction.

It’s even worse when the engine doesn’t even respond to external power sources and won’t start. It is important to distinguish between symptoms: whether the battery is simply dead or it is time to change it. Possible financial costs depend on this. And if the car stalls in the middle of the road, outside help from a specialized service may be required. To avoid such situations in the future, learn what to do in such a situation.

The battery just died: main signs

To avoid getting into an awkward situation on the highway, you should pay due attention to checking the battery charge. This should be done every three months using a hydrometer.

This device has a special scale on which the density of electrolytes can be easily determined. If such a device is not available to you, it’s okay - the car service center provides similar services.

We check the battery charge ourselves with a hydrometer

To understand that the battery is running low, when operating the car you should pay attention to the following points:

An unpleasant grinding noise occurs when the engine is turned on, and the starter starts slowly.
Lack of full illumination of indicators on the panel.
Periodic clicking or crackling noise from under the hood.
Malfunctions of the alarm system, jammed locks and doors that won’t open.

The indicator on the dashboard also indicates that the battery is not charging

If the battery has been in constant use for several years, do not be surprised that it begins to lose charge faster, even if it seemed high-quality and powerful when purchased.

This happens for several reasons:

Main signs that the battery is faulty

End of service life, that is, the battery has simply expired.
When there is a current leak.
No charging from the generator while driving.
Constant operation of fans, headlights, radio, which can be left on at night.
Due to strong temperature changes, from warm to cold and vice versa.

It's time to change the battery: main symptoms

An indicator of a fully working battery is its ability to send and receive current in accordance with its characteristics. Eg:

receiving current at 1/10 of the total capacity;
current delivery with power corresponding to the declared one;
starter capabilities, namely the starting current strength, equal to the indicators declared by the concerns for a specific make and model of car;
maintaining charge for a long period.

If the battery cannot cope with the above functions, it is faulty.

All car enthusiasts should know the signs that a battery is “dying”:

The car battery is unable to start the engine for no apparent reason (provided that it is charged).
The battery does not hold voltage well - it cannot be charged or discharges in a matter of minutes.
The electrolyte appears cloudy in color, closer to black.
The battery heats up when charging and then does not cool down well.
The battery develops an unpleasant odor.

To carry out the most subtle and accurate diagnostics, it is necessary to use special devices and tools, for example a load fork, multitester, current clamps, etc.

We carry out battery diagnostics

But in the case when you do not have this list of tools, and for one reason or another you cannot go to the service center, there is a fairly simple way to determine the signs of a dying car battery.

Without starting the car, you need to turn on the high beam headlights for half an hour and then try to start the engine. In the event of a malfunction and a small capacity of the car battery, the car simply will not be able to start, or you will face a difficult start.

If you have a voltmeter or, more simply, a multimeter, you can easily find out about a serious breakdown or low charge level. The accuracy of this method is 90%.

You will need to remove the terminals from the battery, and set the voltmeter to measure voltage in the range of 20 volts. The device is connected to the battery, to the corresponding current terminal: plus to the red probe, and minus to the black.

What do the obtained indicators indicate:

In the range of 11.9 - 12.2 volts. The battery is completely discharged, requiring urgent charging. Since a severely discharged battery is unable to start the engine correctly, it can fail you at a crucial moment.
The range of 11.2 - 11.7 volts may indicate a break in one of the plates. Because of this, the resistance inside the battery increases, and the voltage, on the contrary, decreases. As a result, the starting current does not exceed 110 - 160 A. This is not enough to start the engine.
Range 10.4 - 10.7 volts. A car battery with such indicators discharges instantly and practically does not hold a charge. Therefore, using the battery becomes impossible.
A result of less than 9.0 volts indicates a deep discharge when the vehicle is idle for a long time or the trunk is not fully closed, the interior light is left on, etc.

Conclusion

The main signs of battery failure are clear. To determine the faulty condition of this element, it is enough to take a closer look at how the car behaves.
Since most battery problems can be corrected and corrected, sometimes it is even possible to restore lost characteristics.
With timely inspection and proper maintenance, the service life of the battery can be significantly extended.

Did you know before how to properly check the battery?

Signs of a dead battery: how to understand that the battery has “died”

“What are the symptoms of a “dead” battery? What are the signs that indicate that the battery is faulty?

Signs of a working battery are the ability to give and receive currents corresponding to its characteristics. For example:

— accept a charge current of 1/10 capacity;
— the ability to deliver currents corresponding to its power;
- starter capabilities - have the starting current declared by the manufacturer;
- ability to retain charge for a long time.

The inability of the battery to perform all or some of the above functions indicates its malfunction.

The signs of a 100% dead battery are clear to everyone:

— The battery cannot start the engine in the morning without a reasonable explanation (the battery was recently charged);
— the battery does not hold voltage at all (does not charge, or is instantly discharged);
— the electrolyte inside is cloudy or black;
— the battery gets very hot when charging (all or one of the cans), and does not cool down for a long time after charging is stopped;
— the battery has an unpleasant odor (by the way, the nose is an excellent tool for determining the condition of not only products).

For more accurate diagnostics, you will need special tools and devices: load plug, battery tester, multitester, charger with ammeter and voltmeter, current clamps. Using them, you can conduct a series of tests and understand how critical the deterioration of battery performance is. If you don’t have any of the above at hand, you can do a simple test to see if it’s time to replace the battery. The test is very simple. With the car not running, turn on the high beam headlights for 20 minutes, then try to start the engine. If the battery “dies” and its capacity is already negligible, or one of the batteries is the “weak link”, then in this case the engine will not start or the start will be difficult.

If the battery fails to start the engine, and you have a voltmeter (multimeter), then with an accuracy of 90%, you can use it to determine whether a serious breakdown has occurred or to find out the discharge level. We remove the terminals from the battery, set the multimeter to voltage measurement mode (range 20 Volts) direct current. We connect it to the battery current terminals: the red probe to the positive, and the black to the negative.

11.9 -12.2 Volts The battery is discharged “to zero”; in this state, sulfation occurs and the battery urgently needs to be charged. Severely discharged batteries are usually unable to reliably start the engine.

11.2-11.7 Volts, it looks like one of the plates is broken. The internal resistance of such a battery is increased, the voltage in the jar with the broken plate is reduced (such a jar does not charge but “boils”). Therefore, the starting current in such a battery is very small: 100-170 Amperes and it is not capable of starting the engine.

10.4-10.7 Volts, there is a high probability of a short circuit between the positive and negative plates in one of the cans. The battery quickly discharges through a short circuit. The voltage in a closed bank is about 0 Volt. Such a battery is also incapable of starting the engine and maintaining a charge.

> 9.0 Volts deep discharge due to a long period of inactivity or due to an unswitched load: an open trunk, interior lights or dimensions left on.

When installing a new battery, you MUST test the operation of the generator and starter, and then monitor their correct operation at least once a year.

Too low or too high voltage in the network will either undercharge or, on the contrary, overcharge the battery. A faulty starter may "unexpectedly" draw more starting current than expected.

During operation, the battery falls into various unfavorable modes:

— constantly charging (taxi mode);
— The battery is constantly discharged (rare or very short trips);
— too high loads (often and for a long time it is necessary to start the engine, turn the winch, power the pre-heater);
— malfunction of the starter or generator;
— the voltage regulator “pill” often does not work correctly.

Due to constant overcharging, the electrolyte boils away and the coating on the plates is destroyed. Undercharging causes sulfation, an increase in the volume of the plates, their warping and even a short circuit. In some modes, only 10-15% of the active mass in the battery works; the remaining part of the battery reagents, not involved in reactions, gradually, but unfortunately, forever loses the ability to receive or give current. Too high loads cause the battery to become unbalanced, and then the weakest bank to fail.

Most problems with the battery, if detected in a timely manner, can be corrected, operating conditions can be adjusted, and battery performance can be restored.

Timely inspection and maintenance will extend the battery life significantly. If you doubt whether everything is okay with the battery, come! Oil-Ok specialists will offer a full range of service and diagnostic services to determine the exact state of “health” of your battery.

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Hello, please tell me the battery is not yet a year old, it’s been a day and in the morning it doesn’t turn at all, on the street - 20-25 the density is good, I’m wondering what the green lamp on the battery is talking about, I measure the voltage with a multimeter and it shows 12.44, but the starter doesn’t turn

Good afternoon
Arrived at work, left an hour later, does not turn at all. I lit a cigarette, it started with half a turn.
Shows charging in progress 14.7 Plug under load 10. Stands for twenty minutes and doesn’t turn at all

When connecting a pulse charger, the voltage was 16.3, the amperage was initially 12, dropped to 8.2, then began to rise again. The battery is not serviceable. What conclusion can be drawn from this?

Hello, please tell me after the car has been idle for three or more days, the battery runs out, what’s wrong with it?

Please tell me, the Daewoo Matiz car sat for a month without driving with the alarm on, the Bosch battery was not serviced.

The car won’t start, when I try to charge the battery the needle reaches 6 (I don’t remember what it’s measured in) and doesn’t go any further. Accordingly, it does not charge - as I understand it, it does not take current! Does this mean the battery is dead? Or is there a chance to do something?

The car battery is disconnected but still heats up, what's the reason?

Akum stood for 4 hours and died, even the starter doesn’t crank even though it was standing overnight charging what to do

In modern cars, when the voltage is below 8 Volts, the ECU turns off, which means all systems do not work. If the battery is severely discharged, then in 90% of cases when trying to start, the voltage will drop below the critical 8 Volts. Launch will be impossible.

Sounds like a problem with the starter. Rule out battery failure by installing a known good battery from another vehicle.

Will the starter turn if the battery is discharged?

On my car, when starting it, the headlights go out and the starter knocks and it doesn’t turn over. Is this related to the battery?

How to understand when it's time to change your car battery

Many car enthusiasts know that the battery is usually changed every three or four years, depending on the quality of the battery, driving style and related factors related to the operation of the car’s on-board system. For those new to driving, it's a reasonable question to ask about when to change your car's battery - in other words, what warning signs might look like that the battery needs to be replaced.

Three- or four-year battery life is a relative concept, and how often it is necessary to change the power source in the car depends on the operating mode of the battery. Therefore, it is important to learn to understand for yourself when to change a car battery in a given, specific case, without focusing on certain numbers. After all, replacing the battery will directly depend on the driving conditions in which you may find yourself.

Signs that the battery needs replacement

How to determine when it's time to change the battery?

An experienced driver, faced with a number of pronounced signals, will immediately understand what’s going on and draw the appropriate conclusions:

If the engine starts with difficulty not only in the cold season, but also in the summer , you need to change the battery in the car. It doesn't hold a charge and the starter doesn't have enough energy to start the engine.
If your car is equipped with an on-board computer, and the display constantly reminds you that the battery needs to be charged , you cannot ignore this signal. If the driver does not understand what we are talking about, he may find himself in a situation where the car simply will not start.
If you check the battery with a multimeter after long trips and it shows a low voltage level , you need to urgently replace the battery. In normal condition, the battery should “accelerate” after long continuous driving on the highway, recharging from the generator.
If you charged the battery all night , but the electrolyte density in it barely reaches 1.25 g/cm³ , it’s time to think about changing it. Even if the electrolyte is not normal in only one bank, this is still an indication to replace the power source.
If the liquid inside the battery is dark , change the battery immediately. It is strictly forbidden to drive with damaged plates, as this may cause an explosion.
Sometimes it doesn't hurt to even smell the battery. If there is an unpleasant putrid odor, it must be replaced with a new one.
A simple test can also be to listen to the radio in the car for an hour . If after this the starter is difficult to start, it means that the battery is quickly draining.
And, of course, if your battery is at a “venerable age” of more than four years , it’s time to think about purchasing a new one.

How to check the actual battery capacity?

You can check the general condition of your battery yourself using an electronic tester, which can be purchased at any car store. The tester will simply need to be connected to the battery, and it will analyze its current condition. In theory, a check of this kind should certainly be included in the list of vehicle maintenance and is carried out, for example, when changing the oil.

In addition, there is testing of batteries according to GOST, when the battery is discharged with a current of 1/20 of the capacity to a U value of 10.5 volts. For example, if the car has a battery with a capacity of 60 Ampere-hours, you need to discharge it to 10.5 volts with a three-amp current, and calculate the actual capacity by multiplying the discharge current by the discharge time .

Replacing the old battery with a new one

How to remove a used battery from a car? Turn off the ignition and begin removing the battery from the negative terminal, while avoiding contact between metal parts of the car, the terminal itself and the key. After removing the negative terminal, disconnect the positive terminal, and then the mounting nut and fixing bolts.

Before purchasing a new battery, you should always consider which capacity will best suit your car's engine. You also first need to measure the length, width and height of the battery compartment. Make a note of where each terminal is located so you don't get confused.

You can take a battery with a small reserve of capacity, a little more than you had before - so that the capacity is enough during a “cold start”. Also, when buying a battery, pay attention to the release date - the earlier it was produced, the better.

After placing the new battery in the compartment, tighten the terminals (minus to minus, plus to plus) and secure it with the mounting bolt located at the bottom. All work on installing and removing the battery from the car must be carried out with the ignition off and wearing gloves to avoid acid getting on the skin of your hands.

So, we learned about how to determine whether the battery needs to be replaced. Many drivers begin to think about batteries only when they seriously malfunction. In order to “suddenly” not find yourself in a situation where the car simply won’t start, you need to know how to correctly identify alarm signals coming from the battery.

How can you determine when it’s time to change the battery in your car?

Each car part has its own resource. This also applies to the battery. Over the years of operation, the battery loses its characteristics, the battery capacity decreases, and it becomes more and more difficult to start the car in winter. However, some drivers may ignore battery problems for a long time until the car stalls on the road or, worse, on the highway. To avoid this situation, you need to monitor the battery life and replace it with a new one. How can you determine when it’s time to change the battery?

The content of the article:

Frequency of replacing the battery in the car

Checking the battery charge

Fully charge the battery and check

Checking the battery capacity

Conclusion

Frequency of replacing the battery in the car

It is believed that the battery should be changed every 3-4 years of operation. This is how you will feel confident in the winter, you will know that there will be no problems with the ignition, and you will not have to ask your friends to “light a cigarette.” However, it is known that batteries from well-known manufacturers last approximately 4-5 years. You need to remember that the operating conditions of the car may be different, so you shouldn’t rush to the store. It is better to conduct several tests and checks.

In addition to the fact that you can diagnose the battery in a specialized service center or yourself using instruments, there are signs by which you can understand that something is wrong with the battery.

What problems does an old battery cause?

Almost every engine start is difficult, including in warm weather;

The on-board computer constantly indicates the need to charge the battery;

There is an unpleasant odor from the battery;

After an hour of listening to music or with the lights on, the battery dies and cannot start the car.

Based on these signs, you can understand that the battery needs, if not replacement, then at least a serious check. A few more signs:

After intense and long driving, checking the battery with a voltmeter shows a low battery level;

Even after a whole night of charging the battery, the electrolyte density does not reach the norm (1.25);

An indication for replacing the battery is a low level of electrolyte density in one of the cans, when in others it is normal or slightly reduced.

If the car is used in a taxi or a minibus, that is, very intensively, the battery is in constant recharge mode and wears out significantly. The service life of such a battery can be only 1-2 years. However, you need to understand that problems with the battery do not always indicate the need to replace it. The battery may not be charged enough.

Checking the battery charge

To check the charge of your car battery, you can use a voltmeter or multimeter. The test is simple, but first disconnect the battery. Measure the voltage at the terminals and evaluate the result. The optimal voltage in the battery is 12.6 V. This means that the battery is fully charged and working properly. A reading of 12.2 V indicates a slight discharge. If the voltage is below 12 V, then the battery should be charged immediately.

Fully charge the battery and check

Before drawing conclusions about the need to replace the battery, you should fully charge it with a special device. By the way, manufacturers do not recommend using batteries in cold weather if they are charged less than 75%. Before the onset of winter, be sure to fully charge the battery so as not to stall on the road later.

If you have fully charged the battery and it cannot start the car engine, then the problem is serious and the battery should be replaced. Unless, of course, the problem with the ignition is something else, for example, the starter has failed.

It happens that the battery is able to start the engine only once or twice in a row, and then the voltage drops significantly at the terminals. This indicates that the battery life is exhausted and you should think about buying a new battery.

If you doubt the quality of the battery, you can always contact a specialist. For example, in stores that sell batteries, you can also find services for checking your battery. It happens that it is not the battery that is to blame, but the generator, which does not provide the necessary charging.

Checking the battery capacity

Battery capacity is a very important indicator that reflects how long the battery can operate without loss of current. Capacity is measured in ampere hours. It can be difficult to do it yourself, so it’s better to contact a service station.

In life, such a test can be the low beam on, which was accidentally left overnight. A good battery should last at least 12 hours.

Conclusion

An old battery that needs replacing can be a headache for any car enthusiast. Difficulty starting the engine in winter is the most common problem. Therefore, you should not hope for chance and wait for the time when you will be late somewhere due to an unreliable battery.

At the same time, a used battery can always be sold to buyers or taken to a store to get a good discount. In this case, a new battery will be cheaper and will not let you down on the road.