how to test a car battery

How Often to Replace a Car Battery

If you’re asking an expert for their thoughts on how often you should replace your MOPAR battery in Orange, MA, they will likely say once every 4 to 5 years. However, depending on other factors, the battery life can vary quite a bit. Learn how to test a car battery below, so you can be sure when it is time for a replacement! 

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How to Test a Car Battery

You can have your MOPAR® car battery tested during regular maintenance at your local service center twice a year. If you want to test it between that time many retailers offer free tests, or you can test the battery at home with a few easy methods.

The Headlight Test: 

  1. Turn on the engine, keep the car in park, and make sure the headlights are on.
  2. Rev the engine and see if the headlight brightness changes.
  3. If the headlights get brighter, that means the current is not strong enough to keep the lights at normal brightness while the car is idling. 
  4. Take your car to a service center at this point for further assessment.

Using a Digital Multimeter:

  1. Set the voltmeter to 20 DC volts.
  2. Under the hood, touch the negative terminal (black) with the negative meter probe (also black).
  3. Touch the positive terminal (red) with the positive meter probe (also red)
  4. Have a friend turn on the headlights and check the voltmeter reading.
  5. At 80℉, 12.5 volts or higher means your battery is fully charged. 12.3 volts means it’s at about 75% charged.11.8 volts or lower means you have 25% or less charge. 

How to Know If Your Car Battery Needs to Be Replaced

Some warning signs to watch out for to know if your MOPAR® battery is reaching its end:

  • Dimming headlights
  • More frequent need for engine revving or jump starts
  • Takes longer to start the engine when you turn the key/push the button
  • Unusual power fluctuations

Learn More About Car Batteries from Sonia’s CDJR 

Is your car battery reaching its end? Our team can get you the proper replacement in MA! In the meantime, be sure to learn more about car batteries, including why they might be leaking and how to remove corrosion from them.