Do you want to avoid unexpected breakdowns and unwanted repair bills? Well, when it comes to starting your car, silence is one of the worst sounds you can hear. That's why it is important for you to check car battery condition before anything else!

While the engine is often called the heart of a car, the car battery is often the brains - it plays the pivotal role in making sure all electrical components of a car is fully operational!

There is no such thing as a good time for your car's battery to die. The dreadful *click* of a dead battery is the very last thing you want to hear on your way to work, to the airport, or just driving around town. While there are some potential causes for a vehicle's refusal to start, including the starter motor, alternator, and spark plugs, it's quite likely that your battery is to blame.

That’s why it’s essential to act immediately if you:

• Suspect your car battery is losing power (pay attention to warning signs).
• You can’t recall the last time you replaced your car battery.

You won’t even have to leave your driveway to conduct a quick battery check to check car battery condition. We’ll show you how to test a car battery and check car battery condition from home in a few simple steps!

How to Check Car Battery Condition Without Any Equipments

1. Perform a simple load test

Performing any "test" on your car can sound intimidating if you’re not a technician. Luckily, this one is pretty straightforward.

• Without starting your engine, turn on your headlights.
• Leave them in the "ON" position for 10-15 minutes.
• After that time passes, start your car.
• Watch the brightness of your headlights.

If your headlights dim noticeably as the engine turns over, your battery doesn’t pass the load test. The battery should hold enough charge to handle the 10-15 minutes before the engine starts, and once the engine turns over. If your car’s battery is struggling here, it most likely needs to be replaced before it fails you on the road.

2. Check for corrosion

Besides looking like something that would ooze out of an evil scientist’s laboratory, corrosion on your car’s battery could indicate a power problem.

Over time, that corrosion, caused when acid within the battery releases hydrogen gas, might interfere with the battery terminals’ ability to transfer power. The battery has to work harder to compensate, and that extra work can shorten its life.

You can clean the battery terminals (carefully!) with household items like baking soda and an old toothbrush. If your battery has been suffering from corrosion for a long time, however, the damage may be irreversible. In that case, it’s time to replace.

3. Listen for any clicking sound

If anyone ever makes a horror movie about car problems, you can bet the soundtrack would be the rapid clicking of a lifeless battery!

When you turn your key over in the ignition, you should hear a lively roar that settles into a purr. When you hear “click-click-click” instead, you know your car battery is likely dead. A single click, on the other hand, could mean a bad starter.

Those clicks might not mean your battery needs to be replaced, but they're a reliable indicator. Even if a jump start gets the vehicle going, the first stop should be the bay of an experienced, trusted technician.

5 Tips To Keep Your Car Battery Life Healthy

Here are some key tips to ensure your car battery condition stays healthy and functional over its normal lifespan:

1. Start your car regularly, even if you don't drive it

Your car battery loses its charge if not used for an extended period of time. You can avoid this by taking a short trip or even starting it at least once a week. If not, you will need to jumpstart your car once it loses its charge.

2. Refrain from using your car battery when the engine is turned off

This is because car batteries discharge far quicker when the engine is turned off. With lights, audio system or even phone charging when the engine is not running, they can drain your car battery's power significantly and reduce the lifespan of your car battery. 

3. Keep your car battery conditions clean

This is a general good practice not just for your car battery, but for your whole car as well. By not allowing dirt and other contaminants to assemble on the battery, you can avoid short-circuiting or draining the battery unnecessarily. This can also prevent the corrosion of your car battery's terminals.

4. Minimize direct exposure to sunlight and heat

While heat and sunlight is hard to avoid in the sunny Malaysian weather, exposure to high heat is a known factor of driving down the battery life of your car battery.

One effective way to actively protect your car battery is to try to find a shaded place to park your car whenever possible. This means searching for a covered parking space or under a tree if possible.

5. Check car battery condition every month

Using the methods listed above, you should always keep an eye on your car battery by checking its condition and status at least once a month. You can also invest in a simple voltmeter to ensure your car battery functions properly and effectively. 

By checking your car battery condition regularly and protecting it correctly, you can save money in the long term and make your car run smoothly without any emergencies or accidents! 

Rain or shine, day or night, EX Power delivers car batteries or repair services to your doorstep

Facing car battery issues? With EX Power's all-day roadside assistance, you'll have immediate car battery repair and replacement services exactly when and where you need them! Our services come with:

✓ Free installation

✓ Free checking

✓ Free delivery

Check us out at https://www.expower.com.my/ or call us now at +6010 888 9166