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Have you ever gotten to your vehicle at the end of the day, or after an evening outing, and found that it wouldn’t start? Do you live in an area where the temperatures put a strain on your vehicle's battery when it sits all night outside? Did you ever get to your vehicle and find that you had left your headlights on and they ran your battery dry? You wouldn’t be alone.

 

Here is how you can test your battery at home to be sure the condition it is in if you have concerns.

1. PERFORM A LOAD TEST.

• Without starting your engine, turn on your headlights.
• Leave them in the "ON" position for 10-15 minutes.
• Next, start your car, watching the brightness of your headlights.
• If your headlights dim noticeably as it starts, 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 it cannot do this, it will need to be replaced.

2. CHECK FOR CORROSION.

• Corrosion on your car’s battery could indicate a power problem.
• Corrosion, caused when acid within the battery releases hydrogen gas, over time might interfere with the battery terminals’ ability to transfer power. 
• You can clean the battery terminals (carefully!) with household items like baking soda and an old toothbrush. If your battery has been corroded for a long time, however, the damage may be irreversible and you will need to replace the battery.

3. LISTEN FOR CLICKS.

When you turn your key over in the ignition, you should hear a lively roar that settles into a purr. If 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 it could be signaling impending trouble. 

 

Remember, even if a jump start gets the vehicle going, the first stop should be the bay of an experienced, trusted mechanic If you are planning on taking a long trip, schedule an appointment with Partner Tire to have them test your battery on their equipment to be sure it is ready to head out and keep you safe.