Hi, gang!
I want to check the battery on my '02 Camry as it's cold-start time in NE.
Can I check the drain with my trusty Radio Shack multimeter?
To all o' yez, the merriest of holiday times, and to those of us who follow the Messiah, lasting and blessed times to you (although I feel that difficult times are coming....).
Jim in Dartmouth MA

You can only check battery voltage and voltage output of the alternator with a digital volt/ohmeter. That is usually a pretty good indicator of battery and alternator condition, but for a more thorough test I suggest you call around to local auto parts stores in your area and ask if they check the battery and charging system while still in the car, for free. Many auto parts stores offer this free service.

Mike

They do those checks at the Interstate battery dealer.
What's the Auto Forums opinion of Interstate's products.
By the way... thanks, Mike

According to Consumer Reports, car batteries cost and ratings are as follows (best ratings are at the top of each Group):

Group 65
DieHard Platinum 50065 $180 90
Duralast Gold 65-DLG $97 80
CR Best Buy Kirkland Signature 12866 $75 78
NAPA Performance Select 8465 $90 77
AutoCraft Titanium 65-2 $90 77
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-65N (North) $75 76
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-65S (South) $75 73
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-65 $114 72
DieHard Gold 33165 (South) $110 67
Duralast 65-DL $88 66
DieHard Gold 33065 (North) $110 62
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-65 $100 60
DieHard 30065 (North) $90 54
DieHard 30365 (South) $90 50

Group 34/78 & 78
DieHard Platinum 50090 $180 91
Optima RedTop SC34U $150 76
Deka Intimidator 9A78DT $188 75
DieHard SUV, Truck and Van 39990 (South) $120 72
CR Best Buy NAPA Select 84 34/78 $82 67
CR Best Buy AutoCraft Titanium 34/78-4 $83 66
DieHard SUV, Truck and Van 39890 (North) $120 66
Orbital Exide Select ORB78DT-84 $172 66
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-78DT $113 63
Duralast Gold 34DT-DLG $95 63
EverStart Maxx-78N (North) $75 60
EverStart Maxx-78S (South) $75 59
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-78DT $99 52

Group 24 /24F
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-24 $101 83
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-24N (North) $75 82
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-24S (South) $75 78
DieHard Gold 33123 (South) $110 76
Duralast Gold 24-DLG $89 75
AutoCraft Titanium 24-6 $85 72
DieHard Gold 33023 (North) $110 59
Interstate Mega-Tron II MT-24 $88 43

Group 35
Duralast Gold 35-DLG $93 79
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-35N (North) $75 79
DieHard Gold 33035 (North) $110 78
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-35S (South) $75 73
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-35 $90 68
DieHard Gold 33135 (South) $110 64

Group 75
Duralast Gold 75-DLG $89 75
Interstate Mega-Tron Plus MTP-75 $100 75
AutoCraft Titanium 75-3 $85 74
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-75N (North) $75 73
CR Best Buy EverStart Maxx-75S (South) $75 73
DieHard Gold 33075 (North) $110 72
DieHard Gold 33175 (South) $110 69
CR Best Buy Kirkland Signature 12869 $60 68
NAPA Select 84 8475 $90 68

Die Hard At Sears and Kmart only.
Duralast At AutoZone only.
Kirkland At Costco only.
NAPA At NAPA only.
Autocraft At Advance Auto Parts only.
EverStart At Wal-Mart only.

Hi, gang!
I want to check the battery on my '02 Camry as it's cold-start time in NE.
Can I check the drain with my trusty Radio Shack multimeter?
To all o' yez, the merriest of holiday times, and to those of us who follow the Messiah, lasting and blessed times to you (although I feel that difficult times are coming....).
Jim in Dartmouth MA Actually if you want to check a drain you need to set you amp meter to amps and connect it in series with your battery (disconnect your negative cable from the battery, connect negative lead from your meter to the negative terminal and connect positive meter lead to the negative cable). If it registers something more than 50 mili amps, your drain is too high.

And I forgot to say that your car should NOT be running.

I hope this helps,

Sam