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Quick Guide : How To Check Car Battery

Mar 09, 2021

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!

The car battery is needed for turning on headlights, running the air conditioning, listening to music, washing the windscreen and more. That's why it's important for every car owner to know how to check car battery every once in awhile!

For example, if you notice that your car battery is facing difficulties starting the engine in the morning or the headlights appear weak at night, you're facing a potential low voltage issue.

While a typical car battery lasts 4 to 5 years, it is wise to test your car battery and check car battery regularly to ensure all is in working order.

As checking your car battery is crucial, this article will explore the various ways to check your car battery and different tips on how to keep your car battery healthy.

How To Do Car Battery Checking

From using your hands and eyes to utilizing equipment that you can buy online, here are the 3 best methods to properly check your car battery.

1. A straightforward physical inspection of your battery

This is a basic form of inspection to spot any cracks on your car battery.

First, simply disconnect the battery terminals and remove the entire car battery from the car. You should then place it on a flat surface to check if there are any bulges formed on the surface of the battery - if you spot any, it means your battery has signs of overcharging.

You should also look at the battery terminals and check the insulation. If there are any cracks, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

2. Use a voltmeter to check the car battery voltage

While most people would not have a voltmeter at home, it is an easily attainable device from many car accessory or hardware.

The voltmeter is simply a tool created to measure voltage in devices. If you got your hands on one, you'll need to ensure you turn off any car accessories such as ignition, air conditioning, headlights or radio that might drain energy from your car battery before testing it.

You can now remove the covers on the terminals of your car battery. While following your voltmeter's instructions, you should see a reading between 12.4 V and 12.7 V for a good, working battery.

If you detect any abnormalities of either higher or below that range, it's encouraged for your car battery to be checked by a repairman or technician.

3. Do a simple headlights test

This method might sound too simple, but it doesn't mean it isn't effective to check car battery.

After starting your car's engine, you should try turning on the headlights. If you find that they're darker than usual, your car battery might be damaged or running low.

If running your car's engine turns your headlights brighter, it means your alternator is working but does not supply enough current to charge the battery fully.

In the best case scenario, a normal brightness of your car's headlights when the ignition is started means your car battery is working properly.

5 Tips To Keep Your Car Battery Life Healthy

Here are some key tips to ensure your car battery 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 your car battery 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 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

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Checklist To Check Before Long Journey

20 Dec, 2021

Malaysians love road trips; that's a fact! With COVID-19, road-tripping is going to be an even more popular way of travelling for many Malaysians! In fact, the roads are already loaded up with vehicles and people who are trying to escape the everyday grind and find an escape somewhere. However, nothing spoils your travel plans like a car breakdown when you're far from home and away from your usual mechanic or service centres! As road trips are supposed to be for fun and relaxation, but a car breakdown will turn that time for pleasure into absolute misery. But you can avoid that if you take some time beforehand to get your car ready for that long trip! Before you leave for your next road trip, here's a quick car battery checklist before long journeys to other states! We'll also cover where you can get your car battery checked for free and where's the best supplier of car battery replacements! A quick checklist before you go on a long journey: a) Check that all your car's fluids are good to go You can either send your car in to a service centre/workshop or do it yourself! Just park your car on a flat ground area and wait a few minutes after you switch the engine off. Then your readings will be correct! If you know how to do it, check the brake fluid , power steering fluid, engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and even windscreen wiper fluid. If any of them are low or look like they're in bad condition, top them up or change them entirely! b) Pay special attention to your engine oil Road trips involve long hours of driving at high speeds - this stresses the engine significantly if it's not performing at its optimal condition! You should perform the standard dipstick test - if it's showing heavy, black signs on the dipstick, or if it's been more than 6 months or you have driven more than 5,000 km since the last engine oil change, consider replacing your engine oil entirely (and even your oil filter) before you depart on the long road trip. For example, CHEMPIOIL Ultra XTT engine oils are fully imported oils that are of high quality for the latest generation of modern gasoline and diesel engines with and without turbocharge! They are a Swiss brand of vehicle lubricants and fluids that can promise: Optimum protection for your car's engine at all temperatures Worry-free driving for the long run Quality 100% synthetic ester technology Reasonable pricing that boasts superior quality over many other engine oils c) Keep a wary eye out for your car's timing belts and hoses Timing belts and cooling system hoses are the most notorious parts for breaking down during road trips. Your car's belts will need to be replaced if they've become loose or worn - this can be detected via screeching sounds or vibrations. If you know how to, you should also inspect your engine's cooling system hoses in the case of cracks, leaks or any other damage to avoid overheating your engine on the road! d) Check the car battery Nothing ruins a road trip vacation like a dead car battery! Hence, it's important to keep your car battery in tip-top shape before going on a long drive! Typically, a lead-acid car battery can last around 4-5 years, but it's always safer to have a quick check even if it's a new-ish car battery. You can have it checked for free at Ex Power Battery ! If your car battery is old, you should definitely get it tested and replaced, as you won't want to wake up the next day with a dead car! A few signs that tell you need a battery replacement include slow or sluggish starts and dim headlights, especially when your car is idle! Why Choose Ex Power for your Car Batteries and Repair Services Rain or shine, day or night, Ex Power delivers car batteries or repair services to your doorstep. With Ex Power's all-day roadside assistance, we provide free checking car battery service to certain locations. You'll also enjoy 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.