Do-It-Yourself Car Battery Installation
When the lifetime of a car battery is exceeded, a replacement battery must be installed in order for the vehicle to operate. Having the auto repair shop or car dealer do the car battery installation can be expensive. Some automobile clubs will perform this service but they too usually charge a fee. Save money by installing the car battery yourself.
Car battery installation can be accomplished by any person who is able to lift the battery and put it in the proper place in the vehicle. Batteries usually weigh about 40 pounds so if the component is too heavy for one person, a helper may be needed. The tools that should be gathered are a flat screwdriver, a combination wrench, and steel wool or a wire brush. Prior to beginning, the vehicle owner manual should be consulted to identify any specific concerns or instructions.
After turning off the car engine, pop the hood and locate the battery and its red and black cables. Removing the negative battery cable before working under the hood will cause the presets for radio stations to be lost but is a recommended safety measure. Loosen the nuts that attach the cable to the battery post, then remove the negative cable. Remove the nuts that secure the other cable to the positive post, using the combination wrench.
Remove the battery clamp and lift up the handle that attaches to the battery. Use both hands, due to the weight of the battery, to avoid damaging the car or getting hurt. Clean out the tray that held the battery and use the steel wool or wire brush to remove corrosion from the metal clamps that secure the battery terminals. If these clamps are very badly corroded, they may need to be replaced.
The area is now ready for the new car battery installation. Put the new battery on the tray, then reattach each clamp and battery cable. The black cable should be attached to the negative terminal and the red cable should be attached to the positive terminal. Tighten the nuts until the cables remain secure when wiggled by hand.
Following car battery installation, the old battery should be taken to where the new one was purchased so it can be disposed. If the battery was bought online, contact a local municipality to locate the nearest battery recycling facility. Retain the warranty information for the new battery so that a claim can be filed if the item does not last through the warranty period.
