How To Install Car Battery Safely Within a Few Minutes?
No matter how much you care for your vehicle, car batteries will wear out after a few years and you’ll have to replace them. It is a fact that automotive batteries do not last for years, even after taking a lot of care. If you are noticing dimmed highlights, experiencing a jump-start, or the battery is older than 3 years, then there’s the possibility that your car’s battery is dead or worn out, and now is the time to replace it as soon as possible.
Fortunately, installing new batteries is a straightforward job and this guide we’re going to share with you is very easy. You can do it all by yourself.
Things You’ll Need
There are the following important materials that you’re going to need during the whole installation process:
Safety Measures
Dealing with electricity isn’t that easy and you have to be very careful during the whole phase. Here we’re going to mention some precautionary and safety measures you can take to avoid any risk of an accident:
Always prefer rubber gloves while dealing with electric batteries because they will add a small degree of safety for you.
While removing the old batteries, you’ll also need to be very careful because the old battery may be damaged or leaked that can be very harmful if you’re not a professional.
Do not connect cables that are not needed to be connected. It actually means trying to avoid swapping wrong battery posts or cables. You’re also not supposed to put wires somewhere they are not needed.
Basics:
Some basics of installing a car battery that you are required to consider for your own good are the time you’ll spend during the installation and removing the old batteries.
It will take a maximum of 30 minutes to do this job.
It doesn’t matter if you’re new, a beginner can do it without much effort.
To install a car battery, you’ll be dealing with an electric vehicle system.
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How To Install Car Battery- A Step-By-Step Guide
The role of a battery is to provide electricity to the starter and ignition system of your vehicle. Only a few tools are required for replacing the battery of a car that is simply very easy. So here is a step-by-step guide to help you install a car battery:
Part 1. Remove the Old Battery
Workspace Area:
Park your car on a level surface within a secure area then turn it off. Never change the battery on the side of the road. It’d be better to find a safe and secure place that’s well away from traffic, open flames, water, or sparks. Turn the engine off, remove the keys and make sure no power is transferring to the battery.
Garage or driveway would be the perfect place to do this job but also make sure the area you’re working in is well-ventilated.
You must have some knowledge about the alarm codes because after disconnecting the battery the clock, navigation, alarm, and radio will shift to reset. If you are not sure about it, check the manual for help.
Put On Safety Gears:
The electrolytic solution of sulfuric acid is present in batteries that can be highly corrosive, produce flammable hydrogen gas, and can even burn your skin. Rubber or insulated work gloves and safety goggles can be helpful in protecting you.
Open the hood of your car and prop it up with the help of a rod if there’s any need for it.
To avoid any electric shock, take off all metal stuff or jewelry if you’re wearing it such as a ring or watch.
To prevent yourself from grease wear old clothes.
Find The Location Of The Battery:
Find out the battery by looking into the corner of the engine bay, near the windshield or front bumper. Locate a rectangular battery box containing two cables linked to it. If the car is new, the battery can be present underneath a plastic cover. Remove the cover if there is any need for it.
If you’re finding it hard to locate the battery, refer to the owner’s manual.
There is a possibility of confusion because some vehicles have a battery installed in the trunk instead of a hood.
Disconnect Negative Cables:
For removing connections, always make sure to disconnect the negative cable first before disconnecting the positive cable to keep yourself safe from electrical shocks. The negative cable is usually black with a minus sign mentioned on it.
To do it, first, remove the plastic cover then use a wrench to loosen the negative cable clamp and slide the cable off the terminal.
With the help of a cable tie, secure the negative cable to the engine bay while preventing anything to get in contact with metal.
For removing cables from the vehicles, you may need a 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, or 13mm wrench.
In case the battery terminals have quick release clamps, you are not going to need any such tool for removing cables.
Disconnect Positive Cables:
The positive terminal is usually red in color with a plus sign marked on it. Now remove the plastic cover over the terminal, then loosen the positive cable clamp with the help of a wrench. Use it to take off the cables from the terminal.
Use a cable clamp to secure the cable to the engine bay.
Note: Be careful! Try to avoid any positive or negative cables making contact with each other or with any other metal surface. Otherwise, it can cause a severe electrical shock.
Remove The Battery Now:
Find out the bracket that is used to secure the battery at its place and remove if there are any connectors holding the battery to the bracket. A right-size socket, socket wrench, and an extension bar can be needed.
After removing all the fasteners take the battery out of the engine bay and keep it aside on a concrete surface.
Note: Your battery can weigh up to 20 pounds or more, so you’ll need someone’s help to pick it up.
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Part 2. Install New Battery
Clean Battery Terminals:
Check out the terminals of the battery to know if there is any corrosion or powdery build-up that can be green, white, gray, or blue. A 100-grit sandpaper or emery cloth can be useful to clean corrosion off the terminals carefully until they become shiny.
Note: Don’t forget that battery acid is corrosive, so make sure not to get in touch with it by bare skin or even on clothes.
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Buy Correct Battery:
Always try to buy the correct sized battery by noting down the size, dimension, weight, and part numbers of your old battery. Provide all the right instructions and information to the clerk of the parts store to provide you with an accurate battery.
The automotive batteries vary in size as well as capacity, so make sure to choose one that is specifically designed. If you buy the wrong size battery, it won’t be able to fit in its place.
Don’t deal with an old battery by throwing it outside as it contains corrosive materials. You can give it to the auto parts store or recycling center for disposal.
Secure New Battery To The Bracket:
Now place the new battery inside the battery tray and secure it into the bracket. You just have to repeat the process that you used while removing the battery. Apply a thin layer of lithium grease to prevent corrosion.
Ensure a similar orientation.
Secure all fasteners on the bracket to prevent the battery from vibrating and moving around while you’re driving.
Never spray the lithium grease on any other part of the engine block except positive and negative terminals.
Reconnect Positive Cables First:
Remove the cable tie to secure the positive cable to the engine bay by keeping yourself safe from touching anything of metal.
Attach the cable to the terminal and tighten it with the help of a wrench.
Now cover the battery with some covering material, if there’s any.
Note: Always secure the positive terminal first before the negative terminal when reconnecting the battery. It will prevent inadvertently completing the electric circuit before establishing all connections.
Reconnect Negative Cables:
Do the same process again by removing the cable tie and reconnecting the negative cable to the negative terminal. Now tighten the clamp by using a wrench but be careful while doing this. Make sure that neither the cable nor the wrench comes into contact with any material made of metal. Replace the plastic cover at this step, if your car has any.
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Close The Hood And Test It:
Remove all the tools from the hood and check it twice, then close it.
If the whole process has been done properly, and the battery was the real reason for the problem, your car should get started. After dealing with that now go for checking the alarm codes.
Check all electronic devices are working properly and also check the navigation, clock, and radio systems.
Here is the video of Mr. Adam about car battery replacement:
Alex Black is a seasoned electrical engineer with a remarkable 8-year track record specializing in appliances, generators, and transfer switches. With extensive hands-on experience in the field, Alex possesses a deep understanding of electrical systems and their intricate workings. Throughout their career, Alex has consistently demonstrated expertise in designing, troubleshooting, and maintaining various electrical appliances.