Quality, well-maintained auto batteries have about three to four years of reliable service to give. Don't wait until your car refuses to turn on before checking this essential component. At Porsche of Chattanooga, we want Chattanooga, TN locals to know how and when to test their batteries.
You don't have to leave your lights on to drain your battery. Surprisingly, auto batteries don't hold up well in temperature extremes. Cold weather has the greatest impact on their lifespans and performance. To make sure that environmental conditions haven't impacted your battery's functioning, it's best to have it inspected once every six months.
Can You Test Your Own Battery?You can have your battery tested when bringing it in for service. However, if you're handy and prefer to take care of this job on your own, simply invest in a multimeter. You can pick this small, hand-held device up at any local auto store. Once you have your multimeter properly connected, make sure that your battery has a charge of 12.4 volts or greater. One very important thing to remember when tackling this maintenance task as a do-it-yourself project is that battery testing should also include a thorough inspection of all cables and connections.