How to Change Your Car’s Battery

The battery in your car will not last a lifetime. Sooner or later, you will need to replace the battery once it goes flat or if it fails to hold a decent charge. And while replacing the car battery might seem daunting at first, it’s a relatively simple procedure that only requires basic hand tools to complete.

In the second installment of Automart’s Mekanik Mo DIY auto maintenance series, we’ll show the easy steps on how to change your car’s battery.

Difficulty Factor: Easy

Materials Needed:

• 10mm back wrench or socket set
• new car battery

Step 1: Open the hood and remove the battery bracket.

Park the vehicle and take the keys off the ignition. Open the hood and remove the battery bracket using a 10mm wrench. Set the frame aside.

Step 2: Loosen and remove the battery cables from the terminals.

Your car’s battery has two terminals: Negative (black) and Positive (red). The positive terminal will have a + sign and a red plastic cover in most cases, so keep this in mind.

Using a 10mm wrench or socket set, loosen and disconnect the negative clamp before removing the positive clamp. Set both clamps aside, making sure both clamps are not touching each other as you remove the battery from the cradle.

Step 3: Remove the old battery.

After removing the negative and positive battery clamps, it’s time to remove the battery from the engine bay. Lift the battery carefully and set it aside.

Reminder: Car batteries are heavy! Lift the battery with care.

Step 4: Install the new battery.

Prepare the new battery by removing the protective covers on both positive and negative terminals. Next, lift the battery and place it on the cradle, making sure the positive and negative terminals are aligned with the vehicle's positive and negative battery clamps.

Step 5: Reinstall the battery clamps on the terminal.

When installing a new battery, start by securing the positive terminal before working on the negative terminal. Use your wrench or socket to tighten the clamps. Do NOT overtighten the clamps to prevent damaging the battery terminals.

Step 6: Secure the battery using the bracket.

The final step is to reinstall the bracket that holds the battery in place. Align the bracket and tighten the bolts. Congratulate yourself for a job well done!

Conclusion

Now you know how to change a car battery. The symptoms of a failing or weak car battery are hard starting, the presence of a clicking sound under the hood as you start the vehicle, and dimming headlights. Most car batteries can last for up to two or three years. But if you notice any signs of a failing battery, replace it immediately to prevent breakdowns.