How to Install a New Car Battery
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Installing a brand new car battery is an extremely simple and straightforward task. Bear in mind, however, that batteries are very heavy and can weigh in the region of forty pounds. The average battery usually weighs in at about twenty to thirty pounds. Before you start to install your new battery, you will of course have to disconnect and remove the old battery.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Adjustable or Combination Wrench
- Flat Head Screw Driver
- Surgical Gloves
- Mechanics Grease
- Clean Dry Cloth
- WD40
- Steel Wool or Brillo Pad
Step 1 – Removing the Old Battery
Remove the Neutral terminal cable from the battery first. This is usually indicated by the black lead, where as the red lead is the Live terminal cable. You will note that on the battery there are signs with a ‘+’ and ‘-’. The ‘-’ is on the neutral side with the black cable and the ‘+’ is on the red side with the red cable. Use the adjustable wrench to loosen the clamping nut on the side of the connector. Lift the connector away from the battery and place it somewhere safe within the vicinity. Undo the red terminal cable clamping nut and pull off the positive terminal cable from the battery. Place that somewhere safe as well.
Step 2 – Cleaning
Before you proceed any further, clean the terminal cables with steel wool or a brillo pad to remove any excess engine grease, dirt and oily dust that may have accumulated. Scrub then so the metal is totally clean and will offer a good conductive contact to the new battery.
Step 3 – Lifting
Some batteries will have a extra metal clamp in the battery shelf. This is usually held by a nut or screw to prevent the battery moving about during vehicle movement and driving. Undo the nut or screw holding the metal clamp tight and lever it off. The battery will now be released. Lift the battery out very carefully. Remember, they are heavy and cars are not always suited to leaning inside to grab heavy articles.
Step 4 – The New Battery
Before you place the battery inside the engine compartment, visually inspect it. On the top, where the two terminal connectors are, you should see plastic pop off covers. These are there to prevent damage to the terminal heads. Pop off the plastic covers with a screwdriver, but be careful not to scar or scrape the terminal heads. Take off any other superfluous coverings there may be.
Step 5 – Lifting the Battery
Lift the new battery and place it inside the engine compartment and on the battery shelf. Replace the holding metal clamp and secure the battery in position. Take the positive terminal cable (the red cable) and place the metal holding loop over the terminal head. Situate it correctly so the top of the head is flush with the edges of the loops or a little lower. Now you can tighten the bolt with the adjustable wrench. Tighten it securely and make sure it doesn’t move.
Step 6 – The Black Cable
You can now replace the black cable on to the new battery. Place the metal loop over the ‘-’ (neutral) terminal and tighten it down with the adjustable wrench in the same you did with the red cable. Use a little mechanics grease on each terminal head to make sure the connections stay clean.
Step 7 – Starting your Vehicle
Your new car battery installation is now complete, and you can safely start your vehicle. Remember that some on board computers may need recalibrating via a professional method.
