At Roling Ford in Shell Rock, IA, we want our customers to be able to take care of their vehicles and drive safely on the road. That is why we are providing information on how to safely and easily perform a car battery test.
The car battery is responsible for powering electronics and lights in the vehicle. A battery also powers the air conditioning and heating system. Starting your car also requires power from the battery. This is why it is so important to make sure you have an adequately charged car battery that can start the vehicle and power all of its components.
Testing your car battery is simple. Make sure your car's ignition is turned off and that all lights and electronics are off as well. You will test the battery with a voltmeter. Attach the red positive lead to the car battery's positive terminal and then attach the black negative lead to the negative terminal. A reading of 12.4 volts and above is generally considered okay, while a reading of 12.0 volts and below is a sign that the battery should be recharged. Remember to use safety equipment such as goggles and gloves when testing the battery.