How to Install an Auto Battery

Choosing the right battery to replace your older battery in your car is simple. Check your local automotive parts stores for charts that recommend your replacement battery type. If you live in a cold weather area consider higher cranking amps when replacing your battery. If you have a side post battery common on new cars and trucks, you will only need a wrench
to remove the terminal.(5/16 on my vehicle). I also needed a 1/2 wrench to remove the battery support bracket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrenches from 5/16 to 1/2
• Pliers or
• Battery Terminal Remover
• Battery Terminal Cleaner
• Owner's Manual
• Gloves

1. Check your glove compartment for the owner's manual. This manual will provide information and cautions about removing your battery. If you don't have an owner's manual your local auto parts store should have inexpensive maintenance books for your specific vehicle. This book will provide the same information as your owner's manual and additional information on maintenance.

2. Locate the release lever for the hood. This can usually be found under the dashboard on the driver's side. Facing the car from the front reach under the hood and release the safety latch. When this is done you can lift the hood of the car and support it either on the right or left with the support rod.

3. Inspect the engine compartment and locate the battery. Some batteries are in plain site while other model cars might have a battery box with a cover. Most batteries are located in the engine compartment of the car and are in plain view when you lift the hood. Exception to this rule is a Dodge Stratus. Its battery is under the engine on the drivers side. You would have to remove the tire to open the compartment and check or replace your battery. This may be true of other makes or models.

4. Once you locate your battery find the proper wrench that removes the nut from the battery support (Remember: Righty Tighty Lefty Loosy). Remove the battery support and locate the battery terminals. Loosen the terminals and remove each terminal starting with the ground cable which is identified by the color black and marked with a negative sign (-). When removing the red cable or cable marked with (+) don't make contact with other metal parts in the vehicle. This will cause sparks or electrical shock in some cases. You could wrap tape on the opposite end of the wrench to prevent contact with metal.

5. Remove your battery and insert you new battery. Clean your terminals and tighten the cables back onto your battery. Replace your battery support and inspect your work. Make sure you don't leave any tools in the engine compartment before starting the vehicle.

Tips & Warnings

• Use gloves to prevent battery acid from getting on your skin
• Old cloths are recommended because of grease and possible battery acid
• Use any type of grease to cover the terminals to prevent corrosion
• When you check your oil tap the dip stick end on nuts and bolts using the oil to prevent rusting.
• Batteries have acid in them that can burn you. They also have gas that can explode. Please take all precautions if you plan on "jump starting" your vehicle before replacing your battery.
• Make sure you put the positive and negative cables back on the correct terminals of the battery.

[shasha10]

on 5/3/2009 Excellent and clear instructions. I like the right/left instructions. Thanks 5*

[tundranut]

on 3/22/2009 I especially like the part about making sure you don't leave tools in the engine. Thanks for a very well written article. 5*

[djackman]

on 3/16/2009 great tips and instructions thanks 5*

[Gottaloveit]

on 2/27/2009 Nice article about replacing a car battery. Sadly, I'll need this soon....

[Ladybugblue]

on 2/27/2009 Useful information and well written! 5*