If your car is slow to start, the lights are dim, or you’ve recently had trouble with flat batteries, it might be time to check your battery’s health.
Here’s a quick guide to testing your car battery—and what to do if you’re not sure.
🧰 What You Need to Test a Car Battery
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Digital multimeter or voltmeter
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Safety gloves and glasses
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A clean cloth or brush (for cleaning terminals)
🔋 Step-by-Step: How to Test Your Car Battery at Home
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Turn Off Your Car
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Ensure the engine is off and the keys are out of the ignition.
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Locate the Battery
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Pop the bonnet and find your car battery. Remove any covers if necessary.
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Clean the Terminals
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Use a cloth or brush to clean any corrosion or grime off the terminals.
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Set Up the Multimeter
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Set your digital multimeter to DC voltage (20V range is usually fine).
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Connect the Probes
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Red probe to the positive terminal (+)
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Black probe to the negative terminal (−)
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Read the Voltage
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A healthy, fully charged battery should read around 12.6 volts or higher.
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If it’s between 12.4–12.6V, it’s moderately charged.
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Below 12.4V? Your battery might be weakening.
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Under 12.0V? It’s likely flat or on its last legs.
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🛑 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
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Car is cranking slowly
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Dashboard battery light is on
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Electrical accessories aren’t working properly
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The battery is more than 3 years old
👨🔧 Not Sure? Call Auto Hero for a FAST Battery Health Test
If you’re not confident testing the battery yourself—or want a professional second opinion—Auto Hero Roadside Assistance can help.
We’ll come to you anywhere in Wentworth Point, Rhodes, or surrounding suburbs to run a full battery health test and diagnose the issue on the spot.
No membership needed, just call:
📞 1800 79 79 77
✅ Fast | Reliable | 7 Days