How To Change The Car's Battery

By Author: Marty Vergel Baes
Total Articles: 423
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Changing the car's battery should be done regularly in order to ensure that the car's accessories such as its lights function well due to a stable power source. The frequency of replacing the car's battery according to most car advice depends on how it is maintained. In this case, it is necessary to check the car's battery once in a while. For better results, replace your car's battery by using the following procedures:

1. Set up an accessible working area.

Start your battery replacement task by looking for an accessible working area. This is highly recommended by most car advice from online sources for this allows you to work with lesser obstructions and you can move freely. You should choose a working area that is large enough to accommodate your movements as you do the task. It is also advisable to select a place that is free from flammable substances.

When you have found an accessible area, set this up and park the car on a flat ground. Make sure to apply the hand brake or shift the gears ...
... to primary when your car is manual. For automatic cars, it is advisable to place the gear stick to parking mode for this ensures that the car would not move or run as you change its battery.

2. Look for the battery

Open the car's hood, secure it with the prop rod, and locate the car's battery. The battery is usually located near the engine. You can easily identify the battery for it looks like a black box with two attached cables. These cables are attached to the positive and negative terminals that distribute the electric charge from the battery into several parts of the car that requires charges to function.

3. Identify the terminals and remove the battery

As soon as you have found the battery, try to identify its negative and positive terminals. You will see that the positive terminal is marked with a plus sign (+) and the negative is labeled with a minus sign (-). In other car models, the positive terminal has a big red cable. The negative terminal on the other hand has a smaller black cable. Disconnect the cables in order to remove the battery. Always bear in mind that you need to disconnect the negative terminal first followed by positive terminal for this prevents short circuit.

4. Remove the old battery and install the new one

After the cables are disconnected from the terminals, you can now start removing the old battery from its set-up. Remove all the screws, clamps, and locks that hold the battery in place. Try to remember how these components are fitted on the set up so it would be easy for you to put it back again. Lift the old battery from where it was installed. Try to clean the spot where it was removed.
Install the new battery the way the old one was positioned. Replace all the screws, clamps, and locks that you removed earlier. Carefully tighten all the screws and check all the locks to make sure that it is properly attached.

5. Reconnect the terminals

Reconnect the cables on the appropriate terminals. Screw the cables in its original place starting with the positive terminal followed by the negative. Cover terminals with lithium grease to prevent corrosion. Close the car's hood and test the battery by starting the car. When the car starts, this simply means that you were able to replace the terminals on its proper place. You may also check the car's lights in order to be sure.