Batteries are another one of those things that we usually don’t pay attention to until something goes wrong. It is essential to examine your battery and electrical system frequently, not just when it’s starting to show signs of failing. Here are some ways to stay away from a dead battery this winter:
Fully charged automotive batteries should hold about 12.6 volts or more. When the engine is going, this measurement should be around 13.7 to 14.7 volts.
If you don’t have a multimeter to show you the voltage of your battery, you can do an inspection of your electrical system by firing up the car and switching on the headlights. If the headlights are dim, this means the lights are running off the battery, and the alternator is producing little or no charge. If the lights grow brighter as you rev up the engine, it means the alternator is generating some current, but may not be providing enough at idle to keep the battery properly energized. If the lights have average brightness and don’t change as the engine is revved, your charging system is most likely functioning fine. If you’ve been experiencing issues with your battery system and it passes the headlight test you should investigate whether or not the battery is keeping a charge, or if something on the vehicle itself is discharging it.
Making sure you get your battery voltage tested twice per year, something you can easily throw in when you’re already getting your vehicle serviced. The experts in the service department know how to run a load test on your battery. In order to pass the load test, the battery must maintain 9.6 volts at 15 seconds when examined at half of the CCA rating (the standard performance expected by your battery) and 70°F or above. This test must be done with a true load carbon pile and not one of the hand-held testers that function through an algorithm. If you decide to go the route of a load test guide or kit, make sure you read and follow all safety and handling instructions on the battery and your battery tester.
This winter, we want to help make sure your vehicle stays running through any condition. If you would like your battery to get tested out, visit our service center and our expert team will be more than happy to help you out.
Categories:
Parts