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Car Battery reading 12.2V on multimeter.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 6:31 pm
Posted on 3/17/26 at 6:31 pm
Shouldn't it be 12.6 or higher?
The battery is only a few months old and has a 5 year warranty. Do y'all think Autozone would swap it out? Or would it have to actually fail on me and leave me in a negative situation before they'd swap it?
More background-
This afternoon I went to run an errand. It wouldn't turn over in the driveway. I was in a hurry so hopping in my wife's car and ran my errand. As soon as I got back, I went into troubleshooting mode but the car started right up. I let it run for a little while before turning it off.
I just went back out now with a multimeter and it's at 12.2V. Google indicates this is borderline, should be 12.6 or even over 13 if fully charged.
The battery is only a few months old and has a 5 year warranty. Do y'all think Autozone would swap it out? Or would it have to actually fail on me and leave me in a negative situation before they'd swap it?
More background-
This afternoon I went to run an errand. It wouldn't turn over in the driveway. I was in a hurry so hopping in my wife's car and ran my errand. As soon as I got back, I went into troubleshooting mode but the car started right up. I let it run for a little while before turning it off.
I just went back out now with a multimeter and it's at 12.2V. Google indicates this is borderline, should be 12.6 or even over 13 if fully charged.
9
Posted on 3/17/26 at 6:40 pm to deeprig9
Whats the voltage when running?
Posted on 3/17/26 at 6:45 pm to Soul Gleaux
quote:
Whats the voltage when running?
14 something.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 6:49 pm to deeprig9
quote:
Shouldn't it be 12.6 or higher?
Not necessarily. There are a lot of factors that influence that.
The right way to test a battery is a load test.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 6:56 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
Not necessarily. There are a lot of factors that influence that.
I read this as "yes, it should be 12.6 or higher" when I see "not necessarily".
Posted on 3/17/26 at 7:01 pm to deeprig9
quote:
14 something
Kill the ignition and check it while not running again. Turn on your headlights for 10-20 seconds or so and see if it drops down around 12.2 or lower. If so I’d return the battery being it’s not that old.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 7:16 pm to deeprig9
That’s plenty good, check all your connections especially the grounds
Posted on 3/17/26 at 7:27 pm to deeprig9
Pretty poor for a Tesla 
Posted on 3/17/26 at 7:47 pm to deeprig9
Well, is the battery unhooked? Whats the parasitic load on it when youre checking it? Whats the temperature of the battery?
Measuring 12.2 on a meter doesn't mean the battery is bad. You have to load test it to determine if it's bad. Check the voltage drop while cranking the engine and let us know what that is.
Measuring 12.2 on a meter doesn't mean the battery is bad. You have to load test it to determine if it's bad. Check the voltage drop while cranking the engine and let us know what that is.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 8:28 pm to deeprig9
Make sure the connections are corrosion free. I’ve seen that cause a lower reading of battery and electrical power. Autozone told me my alternator was going bad a year ago but it was due to fairly minor corrosion on the terminals.
This post was edited on 3/18/26 at 7:17 am
Posted on 3/17/26 at 9:51 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
My onboard meter on the dashboard takes it down to 10 when cranking.
Posted on 3/17/26 at 10:50 pm to deeprig9
Put a digital load tester on it.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 4:52 am to deeprig9
quote:
Do y'all think Autozone would swap it out?
They will do a load test on it for you at the store.
Go get them to do it and then you will know.
As it's only a few months old...if bad they pretty much have to give you another one.
But...check your connections first.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 5:34 am to deeprig9
Hopefully it dies and leaves you stranded without any internet.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 10:02 am to deeprig9
quote:
I just went back out now with a multimeter and it's at 12.2V. Google indicates this is borderline, should be 12.6 or even over 13 if fully charged.
Hooked up in the vehicle (which you neglected to state make/model)? If the vehicle is not in sleep mode then it will draw enough power to drag down the battery voltage a little. Also, was it cold? How long since the vehicle was last driven? Do you make mostly short trips (it takes a much longer drive than you think to recharge a battery after cranking)? Most automotive batteries today are not great but should at least last a few years unless abused.
Posted on 3/18/26 at 1:09 pm to deeprig9
You can do a load test with a digital multimeter and your smartphone.
Hook up multimeter and have someone crank the vehicle while you video the multimeter with your smartphone. Afterwards, replay the video frame by frame. If the voltage drops below 9.6VDC during the crank then the battery is considered weak and is not long for this world.
I'm not certain about the 9.6VDC. it maybe a little different. But I think that is correct. You will have to research that number.
Hook up multimeter and have someone crank the vehicle while you video the multimeter with your smartphone. Afterwards, replay the video frame by frame. If the voltage drops below 9.6VDC during the crank then the battery is considered weak and is not long for this world.
I'm not certain about the 9.6VDC. it maybe a little different. But I think that is correct. You will have to research that number.
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