How to Safely Remove & Replace a Car Battery

Removing a car battery

The battery of your car stores the electricity created by the alternator. When the battery starts to wear down, it will slowly stop being able to hold a charge, and eventually, you won't be able to start the car anymore. Replacing the battery safely is all about making sure you remove the right cables in the correct order. Once you know how to do that, then removing batteries becomes an easy process.

Things You'll Need

• Open-end wrench set
• 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and socket set

Instructions

1. Pop the hood to the car. Locate the battery, which is typically on the fender wells (the rounded areas above the tires and next to the fenders) of the car, but can also be close to the firewall (the back of the engine bay between the cabin and the engine), and in some European cars, the trunk. Find the labels on the top of the battery. The negative terminal has a (-) symbol and is black, and the positive terminal has a (+) symbol and is red in color.
   Locate the labels on the top of the battery. The negative terminal has a (-) symbol and is black, and the positive terminal has a (+) symbol and is red in color.

2. Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery using either an open-end wrench, or the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, depending on which style of terminal you have. Make sure no cables or wires are touching the negative terminal before you proceed to the next step.

3. Remove the positive terminal on the battery using either an open-end wrench, or the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, depending on which style of terminal you have. Unbolt the battery tie down holding the battery to the car using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets. Lift the battery out of the engine compartment with both hands, as it can be quite heavy.

4. Set the replacement battery onto the battery tray, then secure it in place using the 3/8-inch ratchet, extension and sockets and the factory battery tie down. Connect the positive terminal to the battery, then install the negative terminal.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be sure to remove the negative terminal first, then the positive terminal, and make sure you never cross the cables or you could damage the battery and yourself.