Car Battery Health: How to Check & Maintain Your Car Battery's Health

April 2, 2021

Maintaining your car battery's health is vital to help keep your electrical system working as it should. Between hot and cold weather, bumps in the road, and vehicle accessories constantly pulling power, your battery goes through a lot! Keep it healthy with these tips on how to check and maintain your INFINITI's battery health.

How to Check Car Battery Health

Checking the health of your INFINITI's battery doesn't take special training. You can even do it at home. Check the health of your INFINITI's battery by connecting an automotive battery tester to the positive and negative terminals. With the engine and all electrical loads turned off, the voltmeter should read around 12.65. Anything below 12.4 volts may indicate a dying battery.

If you're unsure when to check your battery, look for these signs that your battery may require some attention.

Will the car start?

If your car won't start, the battery might need to be jump-started or replaced. A dying battery can keep your vehicle running for a short period after being jumped. However, if your battery is in poor health, you may not get very far. Once you've jump-started your vehicle, have your battery checked and replaced if necessary. We recommend visiting your nearest INFINITI service center.

Is the engine cranking slower than normal?

A defective or dying battery could cause your vehicle to crank slower than usual. Other battery issues, such as poor connections, problems with the alternator, and a bad starter, could potentially cause a slow cranking engine. Check your battery's health to determine whether a dead or dying battery is the cause of a slow engine crank.

Has the check engine light or battery light come on?

The battery light on your dashboard is a signal that there's most likely an issue with the battery. The check engine light, however, can be triggered by a large number of automotive problems. Connect an on-board diagnostics scanner - or OBD II scanner - to determine if the cause of the check engine light is a battery issue or consider visiting your nearest service center.

Are the headlights and interior lights dimming?

Flickering or dimming lights could signal that the battery is weak and may need to be replaced. However, larger electrical system problems can be symptoms of other issues, such as an aging alternator, poor electrical connections, or a bad fuse or relay. If you see flickering lights on your INFINITI, determine whether it's the battery by testing to see if the voltage is within a healthy range.

Do you hear clicking noises when you try to start your car?

When starting your car, a clicking noise could mean there's a problem with the battery or the electrical system. Additional factors, like a bad alternator or starter, may also cause a clicking noise. It's best to rule out any battery problems by testing the voltage.

Is the battery case cracked or bulging?

As your INFINITI's battery ages, the battery case can crack, swell, or bulge out in places. A buildup of pressure inside the battery can create bulging or cracking in the case. Additionally, extreme cold and overcharging the battery can cause the case to swell or bulge. If your battery is showing signs of cracks, bulging, or swelling, it's best to replace it with a new INFINITI battery.

How to Maintain Car Battery Health

You can do many things to maintain the health of your INFINITI car battery. Here are eight of them:

1. Keep short trips to a minimum. Short drives may not give your battery time to fully charge, potentially contributing to a shorter battery lifespan.
2. Turn off the lights. Always check to see that the headlights and interior lights are off when you turn off the engine and get out of the car. Leaving the lights on can drain the battery.
3. Be sure the top of the battery is clean. Dirt can lead to decreased battery power. Furthermore, watch out for corrosion on the battery terminals, which can impede the flow of power.
4. Stop using electronics when idling. When you're idling, you can help extend your battery's life by temporarily turning off the radio or the air conditioner and stopping the use of accessories like cell phone chargers.
5. Protect the battery. You might want to put a specialized blanket on the battery during cold weather to keep it warm when the engine isn't on. A battery can lose about 35% of its power when the temperature hits 32º Fahrenheit or below.
6. Watch the battery when the heat is on. While cold weather can do a number on a battery, hot weather can also drain your battery.
7. Test your battery regularly. If you don't already own one, consider buying a battery tester to keep an eye on the voltage level. You also can get a complimentary battery test at the nearest INFINITI service center.

Does your INFINITI battery keep dying no matter how hard you try to keep it healthy? Shop replacement battery parts online from INFINITI Parts, or get a genuine INFINITI battery replacement to keep your vehicle running as it should.