Not every multimeter will work efficiently as an automotive multimeter, especially for fluke you have to research well to find a best fluke multimeter for automotive. When looking for a good digital multimeter, one name will always remains in the top position among all dozens of other manufacturers and that is fluke. As it’s a trusted brand, that’s why it is the first choice of contractors, auto mechanics, and electricians.
If you’re looking for some top fluke meters for automotive use we can blindly recommend you some meters like fluke 88 V having almost all the functionalities that auto mechanics may need in their daily routine works. We’ll guide you and help you with our reviews for selecting the right auto multimeter.
Automotive is a vast and complex field that required highly accurate and dependable standard troubleshooting tools. For automotive it’s not only a matter of testing voltage and amps but a meter should have some more features like rpm, temperature, pulse width measurements, and some other dedicated functions also.
One can hardly find a more highly rated multimeter than this fluke 88v automotive multimeter. We’ll place it in the top position due to some pleasant experience with this smart device. It’s specially built according to automotive needs like pulse width measurements for fuel injectors, rpm reading, duty cycles, and temperature measurement. You can also use it for general electronic work like circuit troubleshooting and testing capacitors but we’ll advise you to don’t go for it if you want a good budget fluke multimeter.
Along with some ordinary functions like the voltage, current testing you’ll also get some other features like manual and auto range flexibility, capacitance, frequency measurements, voltage spikes safety, bar graphing, resistance, and duty cycles.
One thing we experienced which is annoying and ok at the same time is its test leads, it comes with a fluke specific leads which means no other leads will work on this meter. But it seems fine in the sense that a multimeter with its own test leads will give better quality and reliability of product and of course the most wanted thing “accuracy” that should not be compromised in any case.
As it’s a high priced multimeter so we expect true rms and magnet or kickstand in it, but unfortunately it lacks in these features. On another side, we are highly satisfied with its accuracy for all functions, safety protection against surges and voltage spikes, and durability which makes it best rated automotive multimeter.
Here is another standard fluke multimeter that will not put much burden on your pockets as fluke 88 does. Although it lacks in many pro functions but has all the necessary features that you may need for general automotive work. It comes with two options of buying which are with or without NIST certificate, without nist certification it’s even more budget friendly fluke multimeter. For the people who don’t know nist, it’s is actually a calibration certificate which makes multimeter, a certified laboratory calibrated meter.
This fluke multimeter has a broad body structure covered by a shield to protect the meter from accidental drops or other environmental hazards. You can test voltage and current ac/dc , continuity, milli amps, mili volts , min/max values, and many other functions.
What we liked includes its supreme accurate results, easy to understand interface, durable body structure, and large display screen. On other hand we don’t like lack of true rms, rpm, and temperature testing features. But you can do some general tasks like testing ecu, alternator and starter issues with this fluke multimeter.
This multimeter is for those people who want a general fluke multimeter that can be used both for automotive tasks and general electrical use. Due to its reasonable price, it could be your garage lab meter or home use multimeter. You may also take it with your rv , motorhome, or car tools kit to check batteries and troubleshoot alternators and solve other basic auto electric circuit faults.
A good point we noticed in this meter is true RMS feature which means one can also use it as an industrial electronic multimeter. So why one should not consider it when getting a true rms sensing meter in such a reasonable price range. A magnetic hanger comes with this fluke multimeter that makes its handsfree use quite convenient while working in tough locations.
What makes it more attractive than fluke 88 is the inclusion of magnetic hanger, carrying case and temperature testing probes all in the same package. We also liked its bright white color backlit lcd that also shows a bar graph of readings. Carry case is included in this kit, but we are not much satisfied by its quality which is an average one.
Anyhow as all fluke meters are best in accuracy we’ll also rate it as a highly trusted and accurate multimeter in the market.
If you can’t spend much for a fluke automotive multimeter then this could a wise choice for general and automotive works. It’s a medium sized fluke meter that is lighter in weight, which makes it feasible to travel with it while keeping it in your work uniform or simply in hand. This multimeter provides you facility of all common functions with some extras like temperature measurements. It can also be used to check mili volts, mili and microamps current values for sensors and other car or trucks electronic circuit components.
What make us happy with this meter was its good accuracy for all functions, broad and easy to read display which is illuminated by white backlight for viewing lcd clearly at dark areas. Range, hold, backlight and rel buttons are placed at the top under its screen providing a good and easy to understand user experience.
What we don’t like was its battery case which turns annoying when you want to replace battery, screws and other stuff will require some patience.
Now if you are a jeep or car owner and want a simple automotive multimeter that can solve basic issues like battery checking, car alternator testing, headlights circuit troubleshooting, and vehicle’s audio/video system checkup then this meter should be your first choice. It’s the most simple and low budget fluke multimeter in the market with the same fluke’s legacy of accurate readings and durable life span.
With our experience, we can say that people who are hobby travelers, they don’t need a pro automotive multimeter like 88 V. A general meter like 107 or 115 would be enough for them. If we talk about its functions with some general readings like voltage, amps, resistance, frequency, and capacitance you’ll also get an extra function of diode testing which lacks in many high budget meters.
We found it a little slower for ohm reading, also results were slightly different when we tested three times. We’ll not recommend it for electricians or auto mechanics but this pocket sized fluke multimeter may be a good choice for hobby electronics and basic automotive needs.
Leo Maxwell is basically an Electrical engineer and hobby tech writer, having 13 years of experience in the electronics and instrumentation industry. He has hands on experience working in various fields like Powerhouses, solar, automotive, and FMCG.
During his career, he has used many power tools and meters in electrical projects. Now his aim is to explain tools and troubleshooting in easy guides to help people. Other then it, leo loves traveling, reading books and DIY tasks.
