Testing car battery

MarkR

I've a 2010 Focus, and I've noticed it can turn over for several seconds (4?5?) before starting.

I checked the voltage across the terminals of the battery with the engine off at 11.85, and with the engine on, about 14.3.

I don't know if the battery was ever replaced, probably not. Should I get it properly tested, or just get a new one? Micksgarage had one here on offer.

http://www.micksgarage.com/search/batteries/ford/ford%20focus/focus%20ii%202004%20to%202011/1.6%20tdci/109

Local garage had brands I wasn't familiar with before, would they be just as good? The offered a 2 year guarantee if I recall...

biko

The voltage seems good but yeah the battery could be on its way out. The cold will aggravate any battery issues.

Switch a friend's battery over and see if that helps.

doctorchopper

Your local motor factors or halfords should be able to test it for you

KK4SAM

Voltage is low The change date is usually scribed onto them it it was replaced.If its six years old your doing well.Petrol or diesel ?

Pete67

Just to note Ford cars use a silver calcium battery which allows the alternator to charge the battery at a higher rate than would be standard for traditional lead acid batteries, if you are buying a new one make sure it is compatible or it will not last very long. The Ford branded batteries from a main dealer are re-branded Varta batteries and are fairly decent, and with discount are around the same price as the online suppliers. They will also recycle the old one.

MarkR

Diesel, was dark when I was checking last. Going to pop out and look to see is there a date on it. I know replaced ones would, not sure about OEM

my3cents

Pete67 wrote: »

Just to note Ford cars use a silver calcium battery which allows the alternator to charge the battery at a higher rate than would be standard for traditional lead acid batteries, if you are buying a new one make sure it is compatible or it will not last very long. The Ford branded batteries from a main dealer are re-branded Varta batteries and are fairly decent, and with discount are around the same price as the online suppliers. They will also recycle the old one.

Didn't know that, when I replaced the battery in my wifes Ford Focus I just picked the one with the largest capacity - Yuasa 12V Silver Car Battery HSB075 620Amps cold start - 5 Yr Guarantee. I've no idea if the Silver refers to the colour of the battery (it is silver) or silver calcium?

Halfords battery picker here

Pete67

my3cents wrote: »

Didn't know that, when I replaced the battery in my wifes Ford Focus I just picked the one with the largest capacity - Yuasa 12V Silver Car Battery HSB075 620Amps cold start - 5 Yr Guarantee. I've no idea if the Silver refers to the colour of the battery (it is silver) or silver calcium?

Halfords battery picker here

That should be fine - Yuasa silver are compatible, they have a statement on it here

9935452

MarkR wrote: »

I've a 2010 Focus, and I've noticed it can turn over for several seconds (4?5?) before starting.

I checked the voltage across the terminals of the battery with the engine off at 11.85, and with the engine on, about 14.3.

I don't know if the battery was ever replaced, probably not. Should I get it properly tested, or just get a new one? Micksgarage had one here on offer.

http://www.micksgarage.com/search/batteries/ford/ford%20focus/focus%20ii%202004%20to%202011/1.6%20tdci/109

Local garage had brands I wasn't familiar with before, would they be just as good? The offered a 2 year guarantee if I recall...

As KK4SAM says the voltage is low
A good fresh new battery should be putting out 12.8V .
From experience we find once they get to 11.5v ish they have gone beyond needing to be replaced.

With the engine running you are reading 14.3v which just means the alternater is working , 13..8 to 14.3 is normal enough here