{"id":4188,"date":"2017-05-14T03:05:42","date_gmt":"2017-05-14T03:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.carro.sg\/?p=4188"},"modified":"2025-11-05T17:05:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T09:05:12","slug":"car-battery-still-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/car-battery-still-working\/","title":{"rendered":"4 ways to check if your car battery is still working"},"content":{"rendered":"When dealing with electrical problems in your car, finding the culprit component may prove to be a mind-boggling process. However, the standard procedure is to start your investigation with the source of electric power in your vehicle - the car battery.\r\n\r\nHere are the many ways with which you can check the health and operational performance of your car battery.\r\n<h2><strong>Ways to Check Your Car Battery<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Is your car battery working? | Drivers&#039; Tips &amp; Hacks | CARRO Singapore\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-C2_kFC2SAE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n<strong>1. Check for Indicators<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8601\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-1024x650.jpg\" alt=\"How to check car battery?\" width=\"640\" height=\"406\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-1024x650.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-768x488.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-696x442.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-1068x678.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_217011535-661x420.jpg 661w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\r\n\r\nWhen a battery isn\u2019t performing as required, chances are that the vehicle\u2019s self-diagnostic systems will pinpoint the problem. Look for lighted up indicators on the dashboard that resemble a battery. If nothing like that is there, open the bonnet and check the battery itself.\r\n\r\nThe gel-type batteries have an integrated gauge indicator that changes colour when the electric power generation performance is low. Usually, the interpretation of the colours is given right on the battery.\r\n<h3><strong>2. Check the Voltage<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8603\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"car battery check\" width=\"640\" height=\"428\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-696x465.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-1068x713.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_523195339-629x420.jpg 629w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\r\n\r\nIf everything looks good, proceed to test the produced voltage of the battery by using a standard multimeter.\r\n\r\nAnything below 12.2 volts should be considered too low. Then repeat the measurement with the engine running. In the second case, the measurement shouldn\u2019t be less than 13.4 volts and no more than 14.7 volts.\r\n\r\nBefore you start taking measurements, make sure to set your multimeter to the \u201cDC Voltage\u201d setting. The \u201cperfect voltage\u201d when the engine is not running is in the range of 12.4 \u2013 12.7 volts.\r\n\r\nDo note that if the battery is discharged, you should fully charge it first before measuring its voltage.\r\n<h3><strong>3. Conduct a Load Test<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8602\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1136040002-630x420.jpg 630w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe load test is basically the process of measuring the voltage with the multimeter but this time by applying a load on the engine.\r\n\r\nThe simplest way to conduct this is by starting your car while setting your multimeter to monitor the \u201cmin\/max\u201d voltage. When the engine starts, the starter draws quite a lot of energy from the battery, so the battery is somewhat strained. The test can be considered as \u201cpassed\u201d if a minimum of 9.6 volts is maintained for 15 seconds.\r\n\r\nAfter the engine starts, activate your headlights and your radio to add more loads.\r\n<h3><strong>4. Conduct an Electronic Test<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8604\" src=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"test your car battery\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-696x464.jpg 696w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/shutterstock_1285876534-630x420.jpg 630w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\r\n\r\nFor this test, you will need to use a specialized electronic tester. This instrument sends a frequency wave to the inner chemical layers of the battery and determines the condition of the cells, based on the return of the signal. The test can be considered as \u201cpassed\u201d if the instrument gives a \u201chealthy state\u201d result.\r\n\r\nBefore conducting this test, make sure that the electronic tester that you have at your disposal is suitable for your battery, and that it can measure the particular voltage and capacitance ranges that are featured by your battery.\r\n<h2><strong>What's next?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\nAfter doing all these tests and your car battery is still not responsive, it usually means that it's dead. You can try to 'wake it up' but following this <a href=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/4161-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">simple guide to jumpstart your engine.<\/a>\r\n\r\nAfter you get the battery to work again, don't forget to send it to <a href=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/carro-workshop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a trusted car workshop<\/a> to get your car battery replaced.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<pre>People also liked:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/leasing-vs-car-subscription\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WHAT\u2019S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEASING AND CAR SUBSCRIPTION?<\/a>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/is-your-airbag-light-on\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IS YOUR AIRBAG LIGHT ON?<\/a>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/carro.sg\/blog\/get-cheaper-car-insurance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HOW TO GET CHEAPER CAR INSURANCE IN SINGAPORE<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/pre>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When dealing with electrical problems in your car, finding the culprit component may prove to be a mind-boggling process. However, the standard procedure is to start your investigation with the source of electric power in your vehicle &#8211; the car battery. Here are the many ways with which you can check the health and operational &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[723],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-car-service-car-maintenance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4188"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16087,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4188\/revisions\/16087"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carro.co\/sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}