Car batteries don't last forever, even if they are properly cared for. If you see your vehicle's headlights are dimming, or the vehicle needs to be jump-started because the battery is dead, or if the battery is more than 3 years old, it's time to replace it with a new one. Fortunately, there is a quick and easy way to replace a car battery at home using just a few simple tools.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Removing the Old Battery
Step 1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface in a safe area and turn off the car engine
Try not to replace the car battery on the side of the road as much as possible. Find a safe place to work away from traffic, sparks, open flames, or water. Apply the parking brake, and stop the vehicle engine. Remove the key from the ignition hole to ensure that no power is entering the battery.
Ideally, replace the battery in the garage or home driveway. Just make sure the airflow in your workplace is smooth (for example, by leaving the garage door open)
Tip:
Unplugging the battery will reset the clock, radio, navigation, and alarm settings so make sure you know your car alarm code before starting. If you don't remember, read the vehicle manual.
Step 2. Put on the safety suit and open the hood
Car batteries contain a sulfuric acid electrolyte solution, which is highly corrosive, can burn skin, and produce flammable hydrogen gas. If you have, open the hood and hold it with the iron rod provided.
- Remove all metal jewelry, such as watches or rings to protect yourself from electric shock.
- Wear used clothes that may be soiled with oil/oil.
Step 3. Locate the car battery
Look for the battery in one corner of the engine compartment, either near the windshield or the front bumper on both sides of the car. Find the rectangular battery box with 2 wires attached. If your car is new, the battery may be under a plastic cover so remove it first if necessary.
- Read the user manual if you can't find the car battery.
- Be aware that on some vehicles, the battery is in the trunk instead of the hood.
Step 4. Disconnect the negative cable first and secure it with a cable tie
Always disconnect the negative cable first before the positive cable to prevent a short circuit. The negative battery terminal is usually black and has a minus symbol (-). Remove the plastic cover if necessary, then loosen the negative cable clamp with a wrench and slide the loose cable out of the terminal.
- Use a cable tie to secure the negative cable in the engine case and make sure it doesn't touch anything metallic.
- Depending on the vehicle involved, you may need a 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, or 13mm wrench to remove the wires. However, if the battery terminals have a quick-release valve, you don't need a tool to remove the wires.
Step 5. Disconnect the positive cable and secure it with a cable tie
The positive terminal is usually colored red and is marked with a plus symbol (+). Remove the plastic cover on the terminal, if the vehicle has one, then use a wrench to loosen the positive wire clamp and slide the loose wire out of the terminal. Hold the cable in the engine case using a cable tie so it doesn't touch anything metallic.
Warning:
Make sure the positive and negative wires don't touch each other, and don't let them touch anything metallic as this could cause a dangerous short circuit.
Step 6. Remove the battery from the vehicle
Check the bracket that holds the battery in place, then remove all connectors that secure the battery to the bracket. You may need a socket wrench, an appropriately sized socket, and an extension rod. When all retainers are removed, remove the battery from the engine compartment and set it aside on a concrete surface, if possible.
The weight of the battery can exceed 10 kg; ask someone for help if you can't lift it yourself
Part 2 of 2: Installing a New Battery
Step 1. Clean the battery terminals to get rid of corrosion
Check for terminal deposits, which can be green, blue, gray, or white. Use an emery cloth or 100 grit sandpaper to carefully remove corrosion from the terminals until they are shiny.
Remember that battery acid is corrosive; make sure it doesn't touch your skin or clothes
Step 2. Purchase the right replacement battery
Take a photo or write down all the information regarding the old battery, such as size, dimensions and part number. Go to an auto shop or repair shop and provide the staff with this information, as well as the year, make, model, and engine size of your vehicle. He will be able to find a new battery that fits your vehicle.
- Car batteries come in a variety of sizes and electrical capacities, so make sure you buy the one designed for your vehicle.
- Try taking the old battery to an authorized repair shop or parts dealer. Some repair shops or dealers will exchange your old battery so you don't have to pay the “core fee” for a new battery.
- If the repair shop won't accept the used battery, take it to a service or recycling center for disposal. Do not throw the battery carelessly because it contains corrosive materials.
Step 3. Attach the new battery to the bracket tightly and grease the terminals
Place the new battery in the battery tray and attach it to the bracket. Just reverse the order of the process you went through to remove the battery from the bracket. After that, coat each terminal with a thin layer of lithium oil to prevent corrosion.
- Make sure the orientation of the battery position is the same as the old battery.
- Check and make sure all the bolts or clamps are tightly attached so that the battery does not vibrate or move when the car is used to drive.
- Do not spray lithium oil on any part of the engine block other than the positive and negative terminals.
Step 4. Reconnect the positive cable first
Unscrew the cable tie holding the cable together while being careful to make sure the ends don't touch the metal. Attach the wires to the terminals and secure them with a wrench. Install the terminal cover, if applicable.
Warning:
When you reconnect the battery, always attach the positive terminal tightly before the negative terminal so as not to accidentally complete the electrical circuit before everything is connected.
Step 5. Connect the next negative cable
Repeat the process to remove the cable tie and reattach the negative cable to the negative terminal. Tighten the clamp with a wrench and make sure that neither the wrench nor the negative wire is touching anything metallic as this can cause a dangerous electric shock.
If the battery has a plastic cover, replace it now
Step 6. Close the hood and start the engine
Check and make sure all your tools are not left on the hood, then close it. If all the steps are done correctly, and the battery is indeed the culprit of the car's problems, your vehicle's engine will start without any problems. If necessary, enter the alarm code.
Make sure all electrical devices are working properly, then reset the clock, radio and navigation system
Tips
- Wear old clothes that can be soiled.
- Some vehicles have the battery in the trunk instead of the hood.
- Most large vehicles have more than one battery, sometimes in different locations.
Warning
- Do not allow the car battery to stand sideways or overturn.
- Avoid working in wet conditions.
- Remove all metal jewelry before replacing the battery.
- Do not leave metal objects on the battery as the 2 terminals can be connected and form an electrical circuit.
- Wear safety glasses and insulated gloves.
- Never connect 2 battery terminals directly.
