To keep your car running smoothly, you need to understand the basics of car maintenance. One of them is the battery. The battery plays an important role in the car's electrical system. If it starts to fail and is left unattended, the car could suddenly break down in the middle of the road.

Unfortunately, there are still many car owners who don't care about this matter. In fact, the characteristics of a dead battery are quite easy to recognize. So, to avoid an impromptu crash, recognize the five signs that your car battery is starting to have problems:

1. The Engine is Difficult to Start When it is Started

If when you start your car, you hear a weak sound like "ngik-ngik" or even no sound at all, it could be a sign that the battery is starting to fail. This usually happens in the morning or when the weather is cold. The starter needs extra effort because the electricity supply from the battery is not strong enough.

2. The Car's Lights Get Dim

Try to pay attention to the headlights or car cabin lights when the engine is not running. If they look dim or flicker, it could be because the voltage from the battery is unstable. But if the lights come back bright after the engine starts, it's possible that the alternator is still okay, only the battery is starting to fail.

3. The Battery Indicator Lights Up on the Dashboard

If the battery indicator light on the dashboard (which is usually red) stays on even when the engine is running, this is a serious sign. It could be that the battery is unable to store power or there is a problem in the charging system. Normally, the battery voltage when the engine is off is 12.4-12.7 volts, and 13.7-14.7 volts when the engine is on. Below that? Be wary!

4. Weak Horn and Unstable Electronic Features

A horn that sounds weak or even silent when the engine is off is also a sign that the battery is weak. In addition, other features such as slow-moving power windows, a head unit that likes to turn itself off, or an unresponsive central lock can also be the effect of a battery that can't supply power.

5. Strange Smell and Swollen Battery Box

Ever smell rotten eggs when you open the hood? It could be the smell of sulfur gas caused by the chemical reaction inside the battery. Worse still, if you see the shape of the battery starting to bulge or change shape, it's a sign that the battery has been severely damaged. It must be replaced quickly because it could explode or cause a short circuit in the electrical system.

Conclusion

Taking care of your battery is not difficult, but it is very important. Once the above signs appear, don't wait for the car to break down first. Check the battery condition regularly and replace it immediately if it's time. It's better to prevent than having to push your car on the side of the road, right?

Indonesia

Supaya mobil tetap enak dipakai dan nggak rewel, kamu perlu ngerti dasar-dasar perawatannya. Salah satunya adalah soal aki. Aki punya peran penting dalam sistem kelistrikan mobil. Kalau mulai soak tapi dibiarkan, bisa-bisa mobil mogok mendadak di tengah jalan.

Sayangnya, masih banyak pemilik mobil yang kurang peduli soal ini. Padahal, ciri-ciri aki soak cukup gampang dikenali. Nah, biar nggak sampai kejadian mogok dadakan, kenali lima tanda aki mobil kamu mulai bermasalah:

1. Mesin Susah Nyala Waktu Distarter

Kalau saat starter kamu dengar suara lemah seperti “ngik-ngik” atau bahkan nggak ada suara sama sekali, bisa jadi itu pertanda aki udah mulai lemah. Biasanya ini kejadian di pagi hari atau waktu cuaca lagi dingin. Starter jadi butuh usaha ekstra karena pasokan listrik dari aki sudah nggak cukup kuat.

2. Lampu Mobil Jadi Redup

Coba perhatikan lampu utama atau lampu kabin mobil saat mesin belum nyala. Kalau kelihatan redup atau berkedip, itu bisa jadi karena tegangan dari aki sudah nggak stabil. Tapi kalau lampunya kembali terang setelah mesin hidup, kemungkinan alternatornya masih oke, hanya akinya yang mulai soak.

3. Indikator Aki Menyala Terus di Dashboard

Kalau lampu indikator aki di dashboard (yang biasanya berwarna merah) terus menyala meski mesin sudah hidup, ini sinyal serius. Bisa jadi aki nggak bisa nyimpen daya atau ada masalah di sistem pengisian. Normalnya, tegangan aki saat mesin mati ada di angka 12,4–12,7 volt, dan 13,7–14,7 volt saat mesin hidup. Di bawah itu? Waspada!

4. Klakson Lemah dan Fitur Elektronik Nggak Stabil

Klakson yang suaranya lemah atau malah nggak bunyi saat mesin mati juga jadi tanda kalau aki sudah lemah. Selain itu, fitur lain seperti power window yang geraknya lambat, head unit yang suka mati sendiri, atau central lock yang nggak responsif juga bisa jadi efek dari aki yang nggak kuat menyuplai daya.

5. Muncul Bau Aneh dan Boks Aki Bengkak

Pernah cium bau telur busuk pas buka kap mesin? Bisa jadi itu bau dari gas sulfur akibat reaksi kimia di dalam aki yang sudah bermasalah. Parahnya lagi, kalau kamu lihat bentuk aki mulai menggembung atau berubah bentuk, tandanya aki sudah rusak berat. Ini harus cepat diganti karena bisa meledak atau bikin korsleting di sistem kelistrikan.

Kesimpulan

Merawat aki itu nggak sulit, tapi penting banget. Begitu muncul tanda-tanda di atas, jangan tunggu sampai mobil mogok duluan. Cek kondisi aki secara berkala dan segera ganti kalau memang sudah waktunya. Lebih baik mencegah daripada mesti dorong mobil di pinggir jalan, kan?