CaptainKrunch wrote:

> That voltage is too low. What you want to do is test the voltage while the
> car is running. If the voltage is in the 14 volt range while running then
> your battery is most likely shot. Load testing is a good way to test a
> battery.
>
> CaptainKrunch
>
> "joe" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:nospam-805195.18400421022004@netnews.comcast.net...
>
>>How can I tell if I need a new battery?
>>
>>A friend of mine tested it and it measured 10.9 volts. Is that bad or
>>good? It's a 2000 car with the original stock battery. Should I replace
>>it now, or wait a year or two more? What are the signs/symptoms that I
>>might need a new one or that it's getting bad?
>>
>>Thanks!
>
>
>

That's not always a good indicator though. I just had to buy a battery
about a week after testing it, both with load and without - tested just
fine. Like I said though, a week later and it couldn't even run the radio.

I'd say wait until it dies, unless you depend on the car crucially. Or
you have money that you want to spend.