It’s not a thought that would cross your mind, but your car’s battery performance matters.
As soon as your car shows signs of a weak or failing battery, such as sluggish starts, dashboard warning lights, or a vehicle that refuses to turn over, you’ll start thinking about its performance.
You will automatically start thinking about your car’s battery performance.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a mechanic to measure your car battery’s performance.
With a few simple checks and tools, you can avoid battery trouble and ensure your vehicle runs smoothly.
Here’s how to measure your car battery’s performance like a pro.
Step 1: Understand What You’re Testing
Your car battery’s performance is based on three key factors, which include:
- Voltage: Measures the battery’s electrical potential.
- Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): Indicates how well the battery starts your car in cold weather.
- State of Charge and Health: Shows how charged the battery is and how well it holds a charge over time.
For everyday purposes, checking voltage with a multimeter is the most accessible and reliable method for most car owners.
But how does one use a multimeter?
Step 2: Use a Multimeter
Most hardware stores sell cheap, reliable digital multimeters that are easy to use and can tell you your battery’s voltage.
Along with the digital multimeter, it’s recommended that you have a pair of safety gloves and that your car is switched off and parked safely when testing its battery.
To use the multimeter, set it to measure Direct Current (DC), which can also be labelled “DCV” or “V⎓”.
Make sure that your multimeter’s probes are inserted into the correct ports. The black probe will be plugged into the COM (common) terminal, while the red probe will be inserted into the VΩmA port.
To get the reading, touch the red probe to the car battery’s positive (+), and the black probe to the negative (–).
Generally, the voltage readings mean the following:
- Above 12.7V: Battery is fully charged.
- 5V – 12.7V: The battery is slightly discharged. Recharge as soon as possible
- Below 12.5V: Battery State of Charge is below 50%. Recharge immediately
- Below 12.0V Battery State of Charge is very low/battery potentially failing/possible dead. Recharge and retest
Let your car sit turned off for 4–6 hours before testing it, as your multimeter can get a false high reading if the vehicle has been recently driven.
Step 3: Load Test for True Performance
While a multimeter will give you an idea about voltage, it is only a snapshot. If you want to see how your car’s battery works under pressure, you must use a load testing device.
A load tester can be purchased from hardware stores, but it will not be as common as a multimeter because they’re designed for testing car batteries.
It’s worth mentioning that many auto parts stores will do this test for free.
Step 4: Check for Corrosion and Connections
Battery performance isn’t just about what’s inside; it’s also about how well the terminals connect.
There are a few tasks you can do to ensure your battery is performing at its peak.
These tasks include:
- Cleaning off any white or green corrosion around the terminals.
- Making sure all cables are tightly connected.
- You can also use a wire brush (but be gentle) or battery cleaner to keep contacts clean.
Poor connections can mimic the symptoms of a dying battery.
Step 5: Consider the Battery’s Age
Even a well-maintained battery loses performance over time.
If your car’s battery is a bit older nowadays, it may be time for a replacement, especially if you’re experiencing repeated slow starts or dim lights.
Don’t Wait for a Breakdown, Replace
Measuring your battery’s performance regularly, especially before winter or a long road trip, can save you money, time, and stress.
A simple multimeter test every few months will give you peace of mind and help prevent unexpected battery failure.
However, if your readings are consistently low or you’re unsure what they mean, you can either visit one of our product stockists or find your closest SABAT Xpress.
