How to replace your car Battery

replace your car Battery


On most vehicles, replacing a car battery is a relatively a straightforward process however, just to make things a bit easier we have complied a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

 

What you will need to do the job:

 

You will require some basic tools however, please note the tools required may vary based on vehicles year, make and model.

 

  • A set of safety gloves and goggles: Please note old batteries may produce a corrosive discharge that can be very dangerous when it comes in contact with bare skin so, be sure you have a good pair of gloves on before handling the old battery.
  • New car battery: Be sure to replace your car battery with battery with the Group size, and minimum cold cranking amp rating as designated by vehicle manufacturer. In most cases this information can be located in your owner’s manual. 
  • Some Basic tools: You will require a wrench and possibly some sockets. Most commonly used bracket bolt/nut sizes on most vehicles is 10mm.
  • Battery terminal cleaner: You will need to clean the battery terminals. For this you can use a battery terminal cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water.
  • Wire brush: Wire brush may be required to clean the corroded connections and posts.
  • Battery terminal protection spray or grease: This is a useful thing to purchase along with the battery as it will prevent the posts from building up corrosion over time.

 

Procedure:

 

  1. Safety First:
  • Ensure that your vehicle is parked in a safe and level area.
  • Turn off the engine and engage the parking brake.
  • Wear safety gloves and goggles to protect yourself from corrosive materials.
  1. Locate the Battery:

In most vehicles the battery will be found directly under the hood however, some vehicles may relocate the battery to the trunk, under the cowl panel and even under the vehicle so, be sure to consult your vehicle owner’s manual to locate the battery mounting location. The battery will appear as a rectangular or square-shaped box with two thick cables attached.

 

  1. Identify the Positive and Negative Terminals:

Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the battery. The positive terminal is usually marked with a red cover or a plus sign, while the negative terminal has a black cover or a minus sign.

 

  1. Disconnect the Cables:

Start by loosening the nut on the clamp of the negative (-) terminal first using a wrench or socket. Once loosened, wiggle the cable off the terminal. Be careful not to touch the negative terminal to the positive terminal or the cable still attached to the positive terminal. Repeat the process for the positive (+) terminal.

 

  1. Remove the Old Battery:

Before beginning this step of the process be sure to take a picture of the battery. This will help you with the reassembly process. Remove any hold-down clamp or bracket securing the battery in place. Move/Secure the positive and negative cables out of the way in preparation of battery removal. Some car batteries may have breather tubes attached, be sure to gently pull them out of the battery.

Lift the old battery out of the battery tray. Be cautious, as car batteries can be heavy.

 

  1. Clean the Battery Tray and Terminals:

Use a battery terminal cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and water to clean the battery terminals and cable ends. Scrub the terminals and cable ends with a wire brush until they are free from corrosion. Use caution and always wear gloves as the residue can be very hazardous.

 

  1. Install the New Battery:

Place the new battery into the battery tray, ensuring it sits securely. Attach the hold-down clamp or bracket to secure the battery in place.

 

  1. Connect the Cables:

Be sure to connect any possible breather hoses. You may use the image you took earlier with the old car battery as reference. Attach the positive (+) cable to the positive terminal and tighten the nut. Repeat the process for the negative (-) cable.

 

  1. Apply Terminal Protection:

Spray the battery terminals and cable ends with a battery terminal protection spray or apply a thin layer of grease to prevent corrosion.

 

  1. Double-Check Connections:

Ensure that the cables are securely attached to the correct terminals. Wiggle the cables to make sure they are snug. Start the engine to ensure the new battery is functioning correctly.

 

  1. Dispose of the Old Battery:

Many battery retailers will take back the old battery as a core return. Similar to recycling bottles, you may receive a partial refund equivalent to the core cost of the item. However, if the retailer from which you purchased the new battery does not accept core returns you may have to take the old battery to a recycling center. Car batteries contain a lot of hazardous materials such as heavy metals and acid and they should be recycled properly!

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