Nobody likes to think about the possibility of their car battery dying while they’re driving, but it can happen. In fact, according to the Car Battery Report Card from The Crump Law Firm, 1 in 5 car battery fires are caused by something other than a dead battery – things like hitting a deer or hitting a pothole can cause damage that leads to a car battery fire.
What Causes Car Battery Failure?
One of the most common causes of car battery failure is a worn out battery. Other causes can include:
-A dead or dying alternator
-An ill-fitting battery cover
-A weak or corroded battery cable
-Water getting inside the battery
-A damaged starter motor or flywheel
How to Test a Car Battery
Just like anything else in life, your car battery needs to be tested and looked at from time to time. Car batteries are no different and often go undetected until they start failing in ways you don’t expect.
Testing a car battery is easy and can be done by anyone with a few simple tools. The most important thing when testing your car battery is to always use a voltmeter and set your meter to the 10-volt range.
Here are three simple ways to test your car battery:
1. Jump Start a Car Battery – This is probably the easiest way to test a car battery. Simply connect the cables from your voltmeter to the positive and negative ends of the car battery and start the engine. You should see a reading on your voltmeter that matches what is listed on the battery’s owner’s manual. If not, it might be time for a new car battery!
2. Trickle Charging – This test is used when you suspect that the car battery is not receiving enough current. Connect your voltmeter lead to one end of the car battery and connect the other lead to an electrical outlet. Turn on the electricity but do not start the engine.
What to Do if Your Car Battery is Dead
If your car battery is dead, there are a few things you can do to get the car started. You may be able to jump start the car or use a manual override to start the engine. If neither of those options work, you may need to call a tow truck.
How to Restore a Dead or Dying Car Battery
The first thing you need to do is shut the car off. You don’t want to start the engine if the battery is dying because it could cause further damage. Next, you need to find a nearby service station or somebody who can help you. If your car has a warning light on the dashboard, make sure to turn it off before you go to any trouble.
If the battery is dead, you can’t just jump start it. That will just put more current through the battery and potentially cause more damage. Instead, you’ll need to use a jumper cable. First, make sure both cars are turned off and then connect one end of the cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery and connect the other end of the cable to the negative terminal on the live battery.
If everything goes according to plan, your car will start up and the dead battery will be replaced with a full one. Be careful not to overdo it though – too much current through a dead battery can actually kill it.
Prevention Tips for Car Battery Failure
There are a few things you can do to help keep your car battery healthy and avoid failures in the event that one does occur. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
-Keep your battery clean by regularly cleaning the terminals and fluid levels. Dirty terminals can cause poor connections, which can lead to a battery failure.
-Avoid overcharging your battery. Overcharging can damage the battery and lead to a failure.
-Make sure your car has a good alternator. An inadequate alternator can also cause batteries to fail.