How to replace a car battery
Replacing a car battery is a simple and easy car repair that you can do yourself with the right preparation and a little physical strength.
While most people realize they need a battery when their car refuses to start, it's important to know the condition of your battery before it happens so you can replace it before you find yourself on the side of the road. Here are instructions that explain how to check for a bad battery. To replace your car battery, follow these instructions:
How to change a car battery
Gather the right materials - Before you start, you will need the following materials: gloves, a ratchet with an extension (¼ inch), goggles, sockets (8 mm, 10 mm and 13 mm) and water (almost boiling).
Make sure the car is in a safe place - Make sure your vehicle is parked on a level surface, away from traffic, smoking, or any other situation that could spark an electrical current and start a fire. Then be sure to remove all metal accessories such as rings or earrings.
Apply the parking brake and turn off the vehicle “This is one of the most important steps. Make sure the car is completely off.
Check if radio and navigation codes apply — Before removing or disconnecting the battery, check to see if your vehicle requires you to enter any radio or navigation codes after installing a new battery. These codes can be found in the owner's manual or obtained from a dealership.
If your car needs these codes and you don't have a cigarette lighter memory stick, write down the codes. This ensures that your radio and navigation will work just as they did before the battery was removed.
Find the battery - Open the hood and secure it with props or struts. The battery must be visible and the cover may be removed depending on the vehicle.
Check the age of your battery - Checking battery life can give you an idea if it's time to replace it. Most batteries need to be changed every 3-5 years. So if your battery age falls within this age group, it might be time for a new battery.
FunctionsA: If you don't know the age of your battery, many batteries actually come with date codes to identify the year and month the battery was shipped, giving you an accurate estimate of age and condition.
Check your car headlights - If you constantly have to start the car, this is another sign that you may need a new battery. Another symptom is dim car headlights. To test this, try turning the key to the "on" position and look at the dashboard.
Check battery for corrosion - A visual inspection of the battery can give you an idea of its condition. You may find corrosion on the battery terminals or sulphate deposits, a white powder, indicating a poor connection. Occasionally cleaning the battery terminals can solve a loose connection problem.
A warning: Always do this with gloves to protect your hands from sulfate powder.
Check the battery with a voltmeter Some people have access to a device known as a voltmeter. If you want to use this to test the battery, make sure the car and lights are off and place a positive meter on the positive terminal and a negative meter on the negative battery terminal.
Check the 12.5 volt reading. If it is below 11.8, it means the battery is low.
Sulfate wear protection - Make sure you wear protective goggles and gloves, this will help you avoid the buildup of sulfates, if any. Using an appropriately sized socket with an extension and ratchet, remove the bracket that secures the battery to the vehicle, known as the battery retainer.
You can then use an appropriately sized socket and ratchet to loosen the negative battery terminal first. Use a gloved hand to unscrew and remove the terminal after it loosens when you disconnect the battery terminal, set aside, then do the same for the positive.
Functions: If necessary, mark each side before disconnecting the battery cables to avoid confusing positive and negative. Mixing them can cause a short circuit and possibly damage the entire electrical system.
Remove the battery securely from the vehicle - Removing the battery is a physical job and the hardest part of replacing. Carefully and securely lift and remove the battery from the vehicle. Be sure to use proper posture as even though the battery is small, it is heavy and usually weighs around 40 pounds.
FunctionsA: Now that your battery has been removed, you can take it to your local auto shop for proper testing. You can recycle the old battery and purchase a new one suitable for your vehicle.
Clean the battery terminals. — After removing the battery, it is important to clean the battery terminals. To do this, use almost boiling water in a cup and pour it directly onto each terminal. This removes any corrosion and any sulfate powder that may not have been removed previously.
Install a new battery Now it's time to install a new battery. After assuming the correct posture, carefully place the battery in the holder. Using an appropriately sized socket and ratchet, reinstall the battery retainer to ensure the battery is securely fastened to the vehicle.
Safe positive - Take the positive terminal and place it on the battery post, making sure it is secured all the way to the bottom of the post. This will help prevent corrosion in the future.
safe negative - After you have secured the battery terminal to the post with a ratchet, you can repeat this with the negative terminal.
Functions: Replace them again to avoid electrical problems. Replace all battery covers, if any, and close the hood.
Turn the key but don't start - Get in the car, close the door, turn the key to the "on" position, but don't start it yet. Wait 60 seconds. Some cars have electronic throttles and those 60 seconds will give the car time to re-learn the correct position and restart the engine without any problems.
Start car - After 60 seconds, you can start the car. If the car starts without problems and you notice that all indicators are on, you have successfully replaced the battery!
Now you can enter any radio or GPS codes, or if you are using memory saver, now is the time to delete it.
Some batteries are not located in the hood
Instead of a hood, some cars have batteries installed in the trunk. trunk. This is typical for most BMWs. To find this battery, open the trunk and look for the battery compartment on the right side of the trunk. Open and lift to expose the battery. You can now follow steps three through eight above to remove and replace the battery.
The battery of some cars is not installed under the hood or in the trunk, but under the hood. backseat. An example is Cadillac. To locate this battery, locate and push down on the side clips of the car's rear seat, which will free the entire rear seat for removal. You can then remove the rear seat completely from the car and once removed the battery will be visible and you can start replacing. You can now follow steps three through eight above to remove and replace the battery.
You have successfully replaced your own battery! It is important to remember that the old battery must be properly disposed of. Some states, such as California, charge a core fee when buying a new battery if the old one has not been returned at the time. You will receive this main board back after the old battery has been returned and properly disposed of.
If you don't have time or don't want a professional to replace your battery, feel free to contact AvtoTachki to have a certified mobile mechanic replace your battery.
