How To Install Car BatteryHow To Install Car Battery

Last updated on September 6th, 2023 at 08:35 am

Your driving habits, Climate, and electronic demands play a crucial role in the lifespan of your car battery. Your car battery needs replacement every few years. All DIYers can do it even if they are beginners and have never changed a car battery.

A car battery is a type of lead-acid battery that is used to start a gasoline engine. Cars typically use 12-volt batteries, although some vehicles have 6-volt batteries. The battery’s positive terminal is connected to the engine’s starter motor, while the negative terminal is connected to the vehicle chassis. When you turn on the ignition switch, a large current flows from the battery through the starter motor, which turns the engine over (or “cranks”) and starts running.

Replacing a new car battery is an effortless job, needs a little time, and saves you a lot of money. If your car’s battery is not charging correctly or if it won’t hold a charge at all, you may need to replace it. In this guide, we will help you with step-by-step instructions.

Step By Step Guidelines On How To Install Car Battery

  • Step 1: Turn Off Your Car
  • Step 2: Safety First
  • Step 3: Locate The Battery location
  • Step  4: Uninstall Car Battery Terminals
  • Step 5: Remove The Battery Hold Down & Battery
  • Step 6: Clean Battery Terminal
  • Step 7: Place The Battery
  • Step 8: Install Car Battery Hold Down
  • Step 9: Install Car Battery Terminals
  • Step 10: Test The Car
What Will You Need?
  • Fully charged battery
  • Battery terminal puller
  • Wrenches
  • Wire brush
  • Washer
  • Battery terminal and post grease
  • Emery cloth
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves

You may like – How To Change Your Car Oil?

If you are a beginner, we will tell you how easy to install a car battery. You will never go to a garage to install a battery again. To do that, you have to follow the steps below –

Turn Off Your Car 

First, park your car in a dry, crowd-free place to replace a battery. Then engage the parking brake and turn off the car. Remove the keys from the vehicle. Wait until the vehicle becomes cool to touch. 

Safety First

Remember replacing a battery needs precaution as you are dealing with the electricity and wiring. To protect your eyes, you need to wear safety goggles. Rubber gloves will protect your skin from contact with the battery electrolyte solutions.

You should also avoid wearing loose cloth, taking off metal jewelry if you have any, and not smoking near your workplace.

Read to learn –  How To Change Air Filter?

Locate The Battery location

To locate the battery location, you can use the user manual. Usually, you can find a battery situated in one corner under the car hood. In some vehicles, you will find the battery in the trunk. In some cars, found batteries in the passenger compartment under the seat. 

Uninstall Car Battery Terminals  

At first, you have to turn off the battery disconnect switch or kill switch. This will cut off the connection between the battery and the electronic accessories. Identify the ground cable of your battery look for a black color cable or (-) sign on the battery.

Take the wrench, then use it to loose to secure the nut of the negative terminal to the battery post. Then you will need a terminal puller. It will help you remove the cable and cable terminal from the negative battery post.

Now go for the positive terminal and do the same as the negative terminal. Make sure the two cables do not come in contact with each other. Use cable ties to secure the two terminals. Remove them from contact with any metal.

Learn more about – How To Check Your Cars Coolant Level?

Remove The Battery Hold Down & Battery

There is a battery clamp or battery hold-down or bar holding used to hold the battery in its place. To uninstall the clamp, you need to use a socket wrench to unbolt bolts or other fasteners. Remove the bolts and then the clamp to remove the battery.

After removing the battery clamp, carefully lift the battery. A battery is very heavy to lift. Be prepared and slowly lift it from the car bay. Put the battery aside.

Clean Battery Terminal

Before installing the new battery, check the battery terminals to see if any corrosion is left from the old battery.

Before cleaning the terminals:

  • Wear gloves and a mask.
  • Take a wire brush to scrub off the corrosion and dirt from the battery terminal.
  • Use an emery cloth to swap the dust.

Place The Battery

Choose the correct one to replace the old one. To do that, you can check the old battery information. Now time to place the new battery you have bought. Decide the battery position according to the positive and negative terminals and cable’s location. Place the battery in the battery holder.

Related Search – How to Change Spark Plugs? 

Install Car Battery Hold Down

After placing the battery in its place, you need to secure it. A battery clamp or hold down will help you to hold the battery in place when the car vibrates. Follow the same process used to uninstall the clamps; you uninstalled the clamps using a wrench

Install Car Battery Terminals

Install anti-corrosion washers on the battery posts. After that, apply grease to the battery post and terminals. It will help provide a better connection between the battery post and its terminals. It will also protect the terminals from corrosion.

Untie the positive cable first. Then you have to put it on the positive terminal. Secure it by tightening the nut with a wrench. 

Do you know how to install a car battery disconnect switch, battery isolator switch, or battery kill switch? To establish a disconnect switch, untie the negative terminal first. Wire it to the control. Then connect the negative terminal to the battery. Be careful not to let any metal contact the cable or wrench.

Test The Car 

After you finish installing the battery, remove all the tools and close the hood of your car. Now you have to test the car if it turns on or not. If you have done every step right, the vehicle will start.

Final Verdict 

If you have DIY and wrench skills, installing a car battery is not a matter to worry about. You will quickly realize how to install a car battery.

When you are working with a battery, remember to take proper precautions. Battery acid is harmful to your skin and to inhale. Do not forget to take proper safety.

Resources –