Every garage should have a multimeter. Anybody can pick up a decent one for less than $40, and it can be used to test all types of electrical connections on your car. Battery? Test it. Relay? Test it. Alternator? Test it!
The process of testing a battery is pretty simple, but one look at a multimeter could send inexperienced wrenchers’ heads spinning. Don’t be intimidated, you only need to know a few quick steps to use the multimeter and check the status of your car.
The Drive’s info-obsessed editors have seen more dead batteries than a junk drawer and have charged, discharged, and jump-started enough cars to fill a museum showroom floor. We’d like to impart our years of experience and knowledge to you.
Let’s get started.
Your car uses a 12-volt battery, and a multimeter should read between 12.5 and 12.8 for a healthy battery.
First, you’ll have to need to be able to identify the signs that your battery is in bad shape. Then you’ll have to test it. Below, I outline the signals that your battery might be bad.
Estimated Time Needed: 10 minutes
Skill Level: Beginner
Vehicle System: Electrical
Working on your car can be dangerous and messy, so here’s exactly what you’ll need to ensure you leave in the same condition in which you entered.
If you want to precisely test the true condition of your battery at home, you’ll need the devices that can help you do the job. Here’s what you’ll need.
Organizing your tools and gear so everything is easily reachable will save precious minutes waiting for your handy-dandy child or four-legged helper to bring you the sandpaper or blowtorch. (You won't need a blowtorch for this job. Please don’t have your kid hand you a blowtorch—Ed.)
You’ll also need a flat workspace, such as a garage floor, driveway, or street parking. Check your local laws to make sure you’re not violating any codes when using the street because we aren’t getting your ride out of the clink.
Multimeters are extremely cheap tools that everybody can afford and should buy, but if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, there are other ways to check your battery’s health.
Most nationwide auto parts stores, such as Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts, offer free services for battery testing and charging. If you’re able to make it to the shop, it’s a great resource.
This is an unscientifically imperfect way to test your battery, but it can be an easy method for checking its health.
Let’s do this!
Make sure the battery is as charged as possible.
As much as The Drive loves to put the "you" in do-it-yourself, we know that not everyone has the proper tools, a safe workspace, the spare time, or the confidence to tackle major automotive repairs. Sometimes, you just need quality repair work performed by professionals you can trust like our partners, the certified mechanics at Goodyear Tire & Service.
You’ve got questions, The Drive has answers!
A. Assuming there is nothing wrong with the battery, it should start. However, during a time when a battery is not used, there are all sorts of issues that could arise, including corrosion that could damage the battery and cause it to short. If you have a bad battery, you wont be able to jump it, but if it’s just low on charge, it should work.
A. If an alternator is bad, it’s possible that it could overcharge the battery and ruin it.
A. You’ll need a wire brush and some baking soda. We go through the steps in our guide, How To Clean Battery Terminals.
We’re here to be expert guides in everything How-To related. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. Comment below and let’s talk! You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles.
Jonathon Klein: Twitter (@jonathon.klein), Instagram (@jonathon_klein)
Tony Markovich: Twitter (@T_Marko), Instagram (@t_marko)
Chris Teague: Twitter (@TeagueDrives), Instagram (@TeagueDrives)
Klein Tools Multimeter
Innova Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter
AUTDER Car Battery Tester
FOXWELL Car Battery Load Tester
ACDelco Professional AGM Automotive Battery
Motopower Automatic Battery Charger
Got a question? Got a pro tip? Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com
