Things You'll Need:
- New car battery
- Adjustable wrench
- Volt meter
- Wire brush
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
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Step 1
Determine that your car's battery is definitely bad. You can do this by using a volt meter to read the voltage being delivered by your battery. With the engine off and no accessory load, place a probe on each battery terminal. The battery should be offering between 12 and 12.8 volts. If it is not, then the battery may be bad. In some cases, a white powder may build up around the terminals. Be careful, as this is dried sulfuric acid and you do not want to get any on your skin, but sometimes if you clean the terminals of that residue, it restores the connection between the posts and the clamps which will save you from having to purchase an unnecessary new battery.
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Step 2
If you have determined that the battery is indeed bad, you will have to make sure that your replacement is sized properly for your type of automobile or truck. Write down the dimensions of your existing battery and take that information with you to the parts store. Most auto part supply stores have computerized data which tells them the type of battery you need, but you do not want to have to rely on them so just bring the numbers with you just in case.
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Step 3
If your car came with a memory keeper (a device that stores all of the PIN numbers needed for your radio, navigation system and devices), then plug it into the cigarette lighter. Place the car's emergency brake on and avoid smoking while you are replacing the battery.
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Step 4
Now, you should identify the terminals on the battery. The one with the "+" is the positive leg and the "-" is the negative leg. It is very important that you pay attention to what you are doing here. The negative leg must be removed first. Use the wrench to loosen and then remove the clamp on the negative post. If the wires are not labeled, you may want to mark them so you do not get confused when it is time to connect them to the new battery. Mixing them up could result in damage to your car's electrical system.
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Step 5
Next, loosen and remove the clamp on the positive post. If there are any support devices holding the battery in place, remove them and then lift the old battery out. Remember that car batteries can be quite heavy so be careful not to drop it. Get a helping hand if you need one!
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Step 6
Use a wire brush to clean the clamps of any rust or debris. A mixture of baking soda and water will clean the battery pan if it is necessary.
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Step 7
Set the new battery in the battery pan and secure it with any clamps if there are any. Reconnect the positive wire to the positive post and tighten it securely.
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Step 8
Reconnect the negative line to the negative post and tighten it securely. Spray the terminals and clamps with lithium grease to help prevent corrosion and close the hood.
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Step 9
Start the car up and check all of your electrical devices to make sure everything is working properly. Now all you have to do is dispose of the battery. You can do this by taking it to a nearby auto supply store, service garage or recycling center. There may be a small fee associated with the disposal, but the last thing you want to do is to throw the battery in the trash. If you purchase a new battery at an auto supply store, there may be a deposit fee charged that gets refunded to you when you bring the old battery in for disposal.
