How to Test a Car Battery

Signs that Your Car Battery Is Starting to Go

It can be frustrating when you turn your vehicle on and nothing happens. You have to try to find a jump, or worst case scenario, have your car towed. But luckily, there are a few signs that will let you know that your battery is on its way out:

• Slow Engine Crank— when you turn the key to try and start your vehicle, it sounds like it’s struggling to turn over.
• Dim Headlights and Interior Lights— if your battery doesn’t have a lot of life left, you’ll notice that the lights inside your vehicle will be dimmer and your headlights won’t be as bright as usual. If you see the interior lights flicker, a dead battery could be imminent.
• Clicking Sound When Turning the Key— if you turn the key and you just hear a clicking sound, it could mean that your battery has already drained.

Staying Ahead of Your Battery Care

It’s important to stay on top of things when it comes to your battery’s well-being. Battery replacements can be costly, but you’ll want to do everything within your power to make sure you’re getting the most out of your battery and replacing it when the time is right.

Regular service and maintenance is key for keeping your battery in great shape. Expert technicians know how to check your battery to make sure it’s functioning properly. They can give you a timeline of when you should replace it, so you can prepare for it.

Of course, you can also do your part to make sure your battery is lasting. You can be mindful of the signs that it’s going out, but also make sure you’re shutting off all electrical equipment prior to turning off your car overnight.

But to know how to check your battery you’ll need a multimeter, which is used to measure battery voltage. You’ll want to turn your headlights on for two minutes to clear any surface charge. While waiting, take your multimeter and set it to 20 Volts. Shut the lights off and connect the positive and negative cables to your battery.

After connecting the meter, the voltage will start to jump. If you’ve got a good charge, it should read 12.6. While the meter is connected, you’ll want to start the car. If it drops to below 10, it could mean that there’s an issue. If it rises a few volts, it means that your battery has plenty of power.