If you test the car battery and it does not work properly, you will need to replace it. This is not as big a job as it sounds and is definitely possible to do yourself, as long as you are careful. Faulty batteries can be very dangerous for a number of different reasons. The acid inside the battery is extremely corrosive and leaks can do great damage. The electricity is also very powerful and if you connect the cables to the wrong connection points, you can seriously injure yourself or the car.
Find the Automobile battery guide here>>
How to replace the battery
- Make sure you park in a place with space and enough space for you to have full access to the hood and engine. Remember not to leave the keys in the car as the doors will lock themselves automatically when you start changing the battery .
- Wear goggles and thick gloves. Battery acid is corrosive and can cause permanent damage if it comes in contact with eyes or skin.
- Before you start disconnecting anything, make sure you have the safety codes for all electrical components in your car. Electrical components such as radios will probably ask you to enter a code before they can be used after battery replacement. Check the car’s manual before replacing the battery so that you know which settings need to be reset after the replacement.
- Open and attach the bonnet
- Find the battery, it should not be difficult to locate. Most are next to the engine, but some models can be found in places such as under the seat.
- If it is difficult to keep track of which cord is which, mark them as plus / minus before disconnecting them. If you switch the car in the wrong order, it can seriously damage the electrical system in the car.
- Disconnect the negative cord and make sure that it does not come into contact with metal parts from the motor.
- Do the same with the positive cord.
- Batteries can get stuck in different ways. Remove all clamps and screw and make sure not to lose the parts if the new battery does not come with new ones.
- Carefully remove the battery from the car. Keep in mind that the battery may sit strangely and may require two more hands.
- Prepare the new battery by removing all packaging and wrappers. Double check that the new battery is the right model for the car.
- Connect the positive cable first. Make sure that it is firmly in place and out of the way of other cables. The clamp should be as close to the base of the positive terminal as you can get it.
- Then connect the negative cable, making sure that it is firmly in place and that the cable is not in the way of anything else. Again, the clamp should be as close to the base of the negative pole as possible.
- Double check for loose screws or cords in the wrong places.
- You can now start the car. If the change is correct, the engine will start and no warning lights will come on on the panel.
- Enter the safety codes for all safety equipment, then just drive!
If the car does not start, it is probably something that has gone wrong. Do not try to solve the problem if you are not quite sure what the problem is. You can destroy the entire car’s electrical system, which would be a much more difficult job.
Think about this
Make sure to park on a level surface so that the battery acid maintains an even level. Do not forget to wear gloves and goggles so that the acid does not come into contact with the skin. When working with live power, you must be extremely careful not to short circuit anything in the system that could cause fatal shocks. If at any time during the process you feel hesitant about changing the battery, take the car to a workshop and let a professional mechanic finish the job for you, safely and to a high standard.
How much does it cost to change the battery?
The price of changing the battery can vary depending on, for example, car model, battery and which workshop does the work. Although the change is not very time-consuming, the hourly rate can vary greatly between the workshops. So before you decide which mechanic to take on the task, it can be smart to compare quotes from different workshops. There can be a lot of money to save.
Handpicked best car batteries:
Optima Redtop 34R is high-performance AGM battery for a reliable start-up every time.
Cranking (CCA): 800
Capacity (20Hr): 50Amp/Hour
Dimensions (LxWxTH): 254 x 173 x 199 mm
Terminal: SAE
Voltage: 12
The ALLiON AL12105BT Lithium-iron battery is a high performing 12V Deep Cycle battery with Bluetooth technology and a capacity of 105 Amp Hours (Ah). Suitable for RV & leisure applications.
High cycle life (2000 -4000 cycles)
Safe & stable LiFePO4 technology
Deep cycle batteries are a little different than usual car batteries. Regular car batteries produce a shorter burst of electricity whereas Deep cycle batteries produce ongoing, lower yet consistent, levels of power.