Expert Battery Inspection & Testing to Know When Replacement is Necessary
We don't recommend letting a battery die to know when replacement is necessary because nobody wants to fuss and hassle with an immobilized vehicle caused by a relatively inexpensive yet vital part. It is always best to replace a battery when it begins dying as evidenced by failing physical inspection or electrical testing.
When the battery is dead, that is too late because reliable performance and possibly safety are at risk if the battery dies while driving. Unless you happen to be a trained technician that can perform electrical battery testing, we recommend routine battery inspections and testing from a certified technician to know precisely when replacement is necessary.
Car Battery Testing
If the battery passes the physical inspection, it will need to be tested to verify two electrical performance metrics in how much voltage the battery stores in reserve capacity and how much voltage it sends to the starter when it is cold, called cold-cranking amps. The expert technician uses a voltmeter and a special procedure to measure reserve capacity and cold-cranking amps to confirm specifications or recommend replacement.
Watch Out for These Symptoms of a Dying Battery
- Headlights are dimmer than usual
- Clicking noise only when turning the ignition key
- Slow engine cranking
- Vehicle won't start after sitting overnight
- Must push the fuel pedal for engine starting