How to Check Car Battery Health

How To Check Car Battery Health

Car Battery is one of the most significant parts in a car. If you don’t have the idea a car battery actually operates all the electrical mechanisms in the car. Your car engine will not even start if the battery power is low. Apart from that it also functions the air conditioner, the music player, windscreen wipers and power up all the lights in the car including the headlights.

Normally a battery can run for a few years (4-5 years) depending on the usage. But you can notice the weakening of battery performance when you face trouble in starting the car especially in the morning or the power in headlights seems to be weaker than before.

However, to be on the safer side it is advisable to keep testing your car battery regularly to make sure it is always in good condition. Just like you check the other parts of the car engine you can check car battery using some of the following methods.

Voltmeter

It is a device to check the car battery voltage but to use it you need to first understand how it works. There are 2 types of voltmeter you can select to test your battery depending on your preference and budget. One is called analogue and the other one is called digital voltmeter. Most people prefer digital voltmeter because it is easier to use and also has more accuracy.

For using digital voltmeter firstly you need to switch off the engine completely, turn off the ignition, radio, headlights and all other devices running on the battery. After that, you need to remove both terminals of the battery positive and negative terminals and clean them. Then you have to connect the positive terminal which is usually red in colour to the positive lead of the voltmeter and negative terminal normally black in colour to the negative lead. After all this the voltmeter will display the result on its screen, volts between 12.4 to 12.7 indicates the battery is in good condition.

In case, the volt is below 12.4 then try to recharge your battery and check the voltage once again using the same process. If the voltage shown is below 12 then the car battery is weak and can stop working any time soon.

Car Headlights

Normally, if you do not have the voltmeter you can always get an idea about the battery power by noticing the car’s headlights. If you notice that the car headlights are dimmer than usual then it can be possible the battery is low. So it is very important to pay attention to all parts in a car.

 Power Probe Device

Power probe is another device that functions like a voltmeter. It works in the same way it has a tip which needs to be tapped on the positive terminal and connect the negative terminal to the negative side of the power probe. It will show the same reading of 12.2 to 12.9 for a good battery condition.

Battery Health Indicator

A battery health indicator is a new device which is mostly pre-installed in modern cars. The old cars might not have them but they can be easily installed. It is a much easier indicator installed on the battery. The glass screen shows the battery health, green colour indicates good condition and red indicates the poor condition and black or transparent colour indicates dead battery.

Earn top cash by selling your old car: Cash for Cars Melbourne

Checking through Ammeter

The ammeter is an old device which can be very helpful for the drivers. It is installed in the vehicles. It basically checks the flow of charge going in and out of the battery. If it shows strong reading then the battery is in good condition and if it is very low then the battery is going weak.

These are the common devices used to check the battery conditions. There are some other methods and devices available but not very common and convenient for everyone.

Apart from these devices, you can always physically examine the battery. Check if there is any crack or bulge on the battery surface which can be caused due to overcharging. There should not be any corrosion on the terminals and battery should be clean.

We may not realize but checking battery condition on a regular basis is very important and may improve your battery life too. The sudden dead battery can leave you deserted in difficult places and situations. You need to occasionally check the battery voltage, so you will be prior aware of its replacement.

Also Read: Car Selling & Buying Process in Australia

Most Common Reasons for Driving Accidents

Most Common Reasons For Driving Accidents

Driving is undoubtedly one of the most essential activities of our lives in today’s world. No matter where we are we spend several hours of our days on roads each day. While driving we are not only responsible for our own safety but also for the safety of other people on the road. Some people blame their bad luck when they meet with an accident but in reality, they are caused mostly due to drivers own mistakes.

There can be several causes for the accidents some have been described below, so that next time you can be more careful.

Unfocussed Driving

Using mobile phones while driving has become one of the major causes of accidents these days. People get distracted while using phones and lose attention from the roads.

Most people don’t realize but there are other factors as well which can distract you while driving. Such factors can be using navigational devices, trying to adjust music, daydreaming, lack of sleep or even applying makeup.

Over Speeding

Driving over the speed limits is the second most common cause of accidents. Some motorists drive fast when they are running late but unfortunately many youngsters over speed just for the thrill and adventure. The faster the vehicle the more it is difficult to control it in case of any collision. So it is very important for the motorists to stay within the legal speed limits.

Weather Conditions

Extreme weather conditions can also lead to more dangers for drivers. Motorists have to be extra careful while driving during rain, snow or fog. The roads get slippery and visibility is also reduced, so you must try to avoid driving in such conditions as much as you can.

Drunk Driving

As everyone knows why it is prohibited to drive after consuming alcohol because the brain cannot function properly and you cannot focus on the road. It is one of the common reasons to cause accidents which can be avoided easily. Please take help of any other responsible driver after drinking.

Reckless Driving

Aggressive behaviour while driving makes you drive recklessly. Changing lanes abruptly without looking, over speeding, tailgating and not following traffic rules are signs of reckless driving. It is important to stay calm and drive cautiously. If you find any other person driving aggressively try to keep a distance from such drivers as they put your life in danger too.

Earn top cash by selling your old car: Cash for Cars Melbourne

Driver Exhaustion

Driver exhaustion is a less-discussed factor for accidents but it very dangerous especially on longer journeys. It gets difficult to concentrate on the roads when you feel drowsy especially during night time. It is always better to stop and take a quick nap to refresh yourself rather than to put your life in danger.

Disobeying Traffic Rules

Traffic rules are made to ensure people safety. Running stop signs, red lights and taking wrong turns can lead to fatal collisions. It is necessary to follow the traffic rules to ensure your safety and others around you. The best way to implement it is to leave for your destination a bit early rather than trying to break rules later.

Poor Car Maintenance

All the above factors involve the personal behaviour of the drivers but we cannot ignore the maintenance of the car which is equally important. It is your responsibility to get your car checked regularly and make sure it is properly maintained. A slight problem can lead to any dangerous result.

Car accidents can cause a hassle for anyone involved. Please keep in mind the above points to ensure safety of yourself and others driving around you. By following all the rules you can always make driving a much safer experience for everyone. Furthermore, it is also our responsibility to discuss with our family and friends on how to make the roads safer.