Replacing Your Car Battery

Some things last the lifetime of your car, and other components have to periodically replaced. Most of us will be faced with a bad or dead battery sooner or later. If you have some evidence that your battery is starting to go bad, then the best bet is to take it to your mechanic for testing and perhaps replacement. However, if it is dead in the water, then you can follow some simple steps and replace it yourself.

Here are some required and optional items you need.

Replacement Battery - required

Adjustable Wrench - required

Or socket set (8mm to 13mm sizes)

Flat Blade Screwdriver - suggested

Safety Goggles - suggested

Rubber Gloves - suggested

PIN Memory Keeper - optional

Wire Brush - optional

Most auto stores carry a wide variety of batteries, and as a rule to dispose of your old battery for a minimum or no charge. You can remove your old battery first and take it to the store, or you can purchase a new battery, and leave a deposit. Then you replace your old one and bring it back to the store and receive your deposit back.

Here are some of the major steps in replacing the battery.

1. Make sure the car's ignition is turned off

2. Some devices in your car might lose their PIN numbers when the battery is removed. Either Insure you have the codes or use a PIN memory keeper in the cigarette lighter socket.

3. Find the battery. This sounds a little silly, but many cars do not have the battery in the engine compartment. Some cars like Jaguar have a battery in the trunk. Others may have it tucked in a fender well, or under the rear seats. If you have a diesel engine, you may also have two batteries. If there is any confusion, check your owner's manual.

4. You will find two terminals on your battery with heavy cables attached to them. They may be on the top of the battery or on the sides. One is the positive terminal and the other is the negative terminal. You want to remove the positive terminal first. Warning. Do not let anything touch both terminals at the same time. The positive terminal may be identified by having a + (plus sign) on the top, being painted red, or just looking a little bit thicker than the negative terminal. The negative terminal may have a - (minus sign) on its top.

5. Remove the cable from the negative terminal first. If it is stuck, you may have to use the flat blade screw driver to PRY up the cable. Then remove the cable from the positive terminal. This is the safest sequence to follow. When you connect the new battery, you will connect the negative terminal first and then the positive terminal.

6. Loosen and remove the battery hold down. This may be a frame around the top of the battery, or an arm that goes from the battery to the top plate that the battery sits on. Sometimes it is secured by one or two nuts.

7. Remove the old battery. Remember that batteries are heavy, and they may be placed in a location that is very hard to reach. Do not take a chance on dropping the battery, as it is filled with a sulfuric acid electrolyte solution which can burn your skin. Newer batteries have a built in strap. If you can not safely grave the battery, buy a battery strap, which ATTACHES to the terminals and helps you lift the battery out.

8. Now check the ends of the cables and the tray or platform sat on the battery. If there is corrosion or a white build up, use a solution of water and baking soda with a wire brush and clean them all up

9. Put in the new battery making sure the terminals are in the same position as the old battery. You do not want to connect a cable to the wrong terminal. Replace all of the parts and hold down Insure that the battery is securely fastened.

10. Now replace the cables. Remember to start with the positive terminal first. Then attach the negative terminal. If the old battery had a lot of corrosion on the terminals you might want to put some battery lithium grease on the connections. You can also purchase some cloth like rings which go over each terminal. Either approach will slow down the corrosion buildup.

11. Your old battery must be recycled. You can bring it back to the store where you purchased the new battery and get your deposit back, or take it to an authorized recycling center. Do not throw it in the trash.

12. Close the hood, start your car, and put in any necessary PINs, if you did not use a PIN keeper.

Dennis Dater has been involved with cars for over 50 years. His first love was sports cars when he drove a 1952 MG to high school.

He has produced over 50 articles on EzineArticles for cars, and has almost a hundred on his web sites.

His two web sites are designed for Honda Accord aftermarket accessories.

Please visit him at: Accord Mania And Accord Topia

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