A voltmeter is a handy device to use to stay atop any battery charging issues and prevent dead batteries while on the road. At Auto Plaza Ford Fredericktown, our service department is always happy to provide a free battery test, but if you'd rather do it yourself, here are some simple steps to follow.
Wear eye protection and gloves, and be sure that the car's ignition and any electrical devices are turned off. First, connect the positive or red test lead from the voltmeter to the battery's positive terminal, then connect the negative or black lead to the negative terminal.
A digital voltmeter offers easier reading than an analog device. A reading of 12.4 or higher means your battery has at least a 75% charge left. But if the voltmeter shows 12.0 or less, your battery is weak and no longer holding a charge. Call us for battery replacement service.