"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!

Usually a weakening battery will show signs of turning the car over more
slowly in the morning if you have a really good ear and listen to the sounds
your car is singing.

A no load voltage of 10.9 is low, but may simply indicate that you are not
doing long enough driving trips to fully charge the battery.

Personally I would probably change it out because a new battery is
inexpensive and getting stuck with a dead battery is a real PITA.

John