What Is The Best Way To Change Your Car Battery

It is important to learn how to change your car battery correctly in order to avoid electrical problems in the future. Check out these tips on how to properly change a car battery:

• Remove Old Battery

Make sure the car is turned off and in “park” before working on the vehicle. Loosen the nut on the negative battery cable with battery pliers. Remove the cable clamp from the terminal post on the battery with your hands. If the clamp is stuck on the post, use a terminal puller to remove the cable without damaging the battery cables. Avoid prying the clamps off with a screwdriver because this can easily damage the cables clamps. Repeat the same process for the positive battery cable. Once the cables are removed, loosen the securing-clamp with a socket wrench and remove the battery by the handle or from the bottom. Make sure you have enough leverage because car batteries tend to be heavy.

• Clean

Clean the battery tray with a water/baking soda mixture. Clean corrosion from the cable clamps with a wire brush. Make sure to brush every corner of the clamps to thoroughly remove all corrosion. Dry the battery tray with a hand towel and dust off any residue left from cleaning the cable connectors.

• Install New Battery

Place the new battery in the tray and fasten the securing-clamp with a socket wrench. Attach the positive cable clamp to the positive battery post and tighten the nut on the clamp. Repeat the same process for the negative cable and negative battery post. It is important to attach the right cables to the right battery posts to avoid electrical problems.

Note: Consider spraying anti-corrosion solution on the battery posts before attaching the cables to avoid future corrosion issues.

• Dispose Old Battery

Car batteries contain hazardous materials and cannot be disposed in your garbage can. Take the old battery to an auto parts store, repair shop, or a recycling center that disposes hazardous materials (you will probably be charged).