Changing your battery can be a very tricky task. At RC Auto Specialist, our professionals can change your battery in no time. But if you are wanting to do it on your own, here are 12 easy steps to follow.
- Turn off the engine and pop the hood and find the battery. Unhook the negative (black) battery cable from the battery. Loosen the nut with a combination wrench.
- Twist and pull up on the end of the cable with your hand. If it does not come off easily you may want to purchase a battery terminal puller. This will help prevent damage to your battery or cables. It is not recommended to use a screwdriver as a pry-bar; this could break off your battery terminal or cause other damage.
- Take off the positive (red) battery cable from the battery using the same method.
- Using a wrench or a socket and ratchet, remove the battery hold-down clamp.
- Take the battery out of the battery tray. Batteries are heavy, so grab from the bottom using both hands. If the battery has a handle, use that instead.
- Use either a battery cleaning solution or the baking soda and water mixture to thoroughly clean any corrosion that may be left behind on your battery tray and hold down clamp from your old battery.
- Clean the battery cable connectors with a wire brush. To remove heavy corrosion from the connectors, use battery-cleaning solution.
- Place the new battery in the battery hold-down tray and secure the battery with the hold-down clamp.
- Spray both terminal ends with anti-corrosion solution.
- Attach and tighten the positive battery cable (Red).
- Attach and tighten the negative battery cable (Black).
- Ensure that all cable connections/ hold downs are properly tightened. Check the security of your battery by trying to move it back and forth. If you can move the battery cable terminals at all, your car may not start due to a weak electrical connection.
RC Auto Specialist
If your vehicle is displaying a battery warning light, or, if it is cranking over slowly, take a moment to schedule an auto inspection today!